Webucator is a weekly publication produced by the Tacoma Public Schools Public
Information Office for district staff members. To submit story ideas or inquire about a
published story, contact Pam Thompson at pthomps@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call the Public
Information Office at 253.571.1015. Please note: When submitting photos of students with
a story, please include their names and make sure the students have no photo
restrictions.
Feb. 12, 2010
Images of the week
Foss waves thanks
Webucator on the Web: Webucator is now online and you can also access last year’s
archived Webucators through the district Web site.
Dates to remember
Feb. 1--28: Black History Month
Feb. 1--28: National Children’s Dental Month
Feb. 12: No school—Presidents Day Break
Feb. 15: Presidents Day; no school; district closed
Feb. 17: PTA Founders Day
Feb. 20--27: National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week
Feb. 24: Election results certified
Feb. 26: Young Ambassador dinner, auction, 5:30–8 p.m., DeLong E.S.
March 1-31: American Red Cross Month; Music in Our Schools Month; National
Nutrition Month; Woman’s History Month; Youth Art Month; National Middle Level
Education Month; Social Work Month
March 2: WEA’s Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss’ birthday)
March 2: Pt. Defiance E.S. kindergarten open house, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
March 8--12: Classified Employees Week
Foss H.S. students and faculty
lined street corners after school
on Feb. 10 and waved signs.
Whether the sign holders were
students in shirt sleeves or others
under umbrellas, the message
was the same: Thank you, voters!
Special thanks
Propositions 1 and 2 passing
“A sincere thank-you to the community and staff members whose hard work made these
positive results for Propositions 1 and 2 possible for our students and our schools,”
Superintendent Art Jarvis said.
“I want to express how much I appreciate the Tacoma Education Association and all
school staff for all the support they gave me, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and
Mayor Emeritus Bill Baarsma, as the citizen co-chairs for Propositions 1 and 2,” said
Willie Stewart, former school board director and administrator.
Visit: www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/aud/elections/misc/currentresults.htm for
daily updates around 5 p.m. Final election results will be certified Feb. 24.
Foss staff members and students
were out thanking voters after
school on Feb. 10. Many in
passing cars honked back in
greeting.
Mason thanks community
Board news
Feb. 11 school board meeting
Career and technical education update
Anita Jinks, director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), John Page, assistant
director, and Cynthia Kemp, teacher at Foss High School, gave an update on CTE and
new programs at the Feb. 11 school board meeting. The new programs include a
multimedia productions program at Wilson High School and a construction trades
program at Lincoln High School. A ninth-grade Tech Team class, Exploring
Technologies, at Mt. Tahoma High School was started this school year for students who
prefer hands-on learning.
Mason M.S. staff members say
thank you to Tacoma voters for
passing Propositions 1 and 2.
Franklin sends message
SAMI update
Jon Ketler, co-director of the Science and Math Institute (SAMI), Michael Knuckles,
SAMI co-director, and Kristin Tinder, a SAMI teacher, gave updates on SAMI as the
school goes into its second semester.
A vital component of SAMI are the Connections family groups, a school-family
partnership similar to a PTA, where adult family members meet monthly in their local
neighborhood for a potluck dinner with staff members and other SAMI families. At the
meetings, relationships are built, and information about the school’s events are shared.
The mission of the Connections teams is to create relationships in which community
members engage in the school with the goal of assisting to create change and have a
positive impact on learning. As at Tacoma School of the Arts, these family groups can
help support each other and the students in times of need, which is an important part of
student success.
Schools used reader boards to
thank Tacoma voters for passing
the two levies, according to the
unofficial count. The voting results
will be certified on Feb. 24.
Franklin’s ‘Starry Night’
Strategic planning process
Deputy Superintendent Carla Santorno gave the board a detailed description of the
strategic planning process. Strategic planning includes data collection; data analysis
and setting priorities; internal and external feedback; the board’s drafting a strategic
vision, mission, values and goals; adoption of a strategic plan; and development of an
implementation plan. For a look at an outline of the strategic planning process, click
here.
Other actions
The board approved the submission of the impact aid grant to the Office of Elementary
and Secondary Education Title VIII. The Impact Aid law provides assistance to local
school districts with concentrations of children residing on Indian lands, military bases,
low-rent housing properties or other federal properties, and, to a lesser extent,
concentrations of children who have parents in the uniformed services or employed on
eligible federal properties who do not live on federal property.
Franklin E.S. fourth graders
recreated Vincent van Gogh’s
“Starry Night” over a two-month
period with a grant from
www.donorschoose.org.
Lunar New Year parade
The next regular board meeting will be held Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., fourth-floor auditorium,
Central Administration Building, 601 S. 8th St.
Upcoming events
Larchmont to take over Round Table Pizza Feb. 23
Larchmont Elementary School will host a pizza takeover at Round Table Pizza, 7921 S.
Hosmer St., Tacoma, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 5–8 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the
fifth-grade camp.
For more information, contact Larchmont at 252.571.2092.
DeLong E.S. students lead a
Chinese lion through the school
for a Lunar New Year parade.
Pro-Start, FCCLA students raise funds for competitions
Staff members can show their support of the Pro-Start and Family Career and
Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students by purchasing a chicken parmesan
meal for pick-up on Friday, Feb. 19. This meal serves four people and sells for $25.
The menu includes chicken parmesan, Caesar salad and garlic herbed bread. Please email Becky Wilson or Lisa Egenes at Lincoln High School to order your meal by close of
business on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The culinary program will be unable to take last-minute
orders, so be sure to have your order in on time.
“Thanks in advance for supporting FCCLA and ProStart! Competition is around the
corner and the funds we raise will help to offset the cost of registration and hotel for the
students,” Lisa Egenes said. “If you would like more information on the culinary
competitions the students are preparing for, please contact Becky Wilson, FCCLA and
Pro-Start advisor, at 253.571.6743.” Call Egenes at 253.571.6629 for more information.
Imagine Tomorrow student competition open for registration
The Imagine Tomorrow competition challenges high school students to seek new ways
DeLong E.S. students line the
halls to watch the Lunar New Year
parade on Feb. 11.
to support the transition to alternate energy sources. Students research complex topics,
and then implement technologies, designs or plans to mobilize behavior. They forge
connections in their communities and create positive change. In this competition, as in
life, solutions are limited only by imagination.
Last year, Tacoma School of the Arts’ team earned the grand prize: $5,000 for the
school and each team member. This year’s judging will be May 21–23 at Washington
State University in Pullman.
Registration will close March 1 or as soon as 200 teams have registered—whichever
comes first. For details, go to the Washington State University Web site at
www.imagine.wsu.edu
Music teacher Carolyn Fulton
began the Chinese lion parade
tradition to enhance DeLong’s
multicultural focus.
Imagine Tomorrow unites educators, scholars, and industry leaders to teach students of
all backgrounds and high school grade levels how to translate ideas into results.
Tacoma Public Utilities will provide mentors to Imagine Tomorrow teams.
At the outset, the competition asks teams of Washington high school students to
address a topic—this year, energy sustainability—by answering any of four challenges:
technological, behavioral, design, or multidisciplinary. With these challenges, the
competition aims to invite collaboration among leaders of today and tomorrow, enable
students to realize how much they can achieve and drive innovation that changes lives.
Read full story
Costumed students parade
through the hall at DeLong for a
Lunar New Year parade.
American History Teacher of the Year nominations sought
The 2010 Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Preserve American History
Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding American history teachers and the
crucial importance of American history education. In 2010 the institute will honor a fulltime middle school or high school teacher, grades seven through 12. K-6 teachers are
honored every other year. The deadline for nominations is Monday, March 15.
For details and nomination criteria, click here. Contact Kelly Martin, Social
Studies/International Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, at
360.725.6351 or e-mail her at kelly.martin@k12.wa.us.
News and updates
Franklin recreates van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’
Shelly Smith, a Franklin Elementary School fourth-grade teacher, recently received a
grant from www.donorschoose.org. Her class recreated van Gogh's “Starry Night” on 1'
X 1' panels using acrylic paint, and it took approximately two months to complete. The
students learned about scale, movement, mixing colors and lines during the project.
A DeLong student carries a lion
toy for the Lunar New Year
celebration.
Shoes gathered for Haiti
The idea came to Smith after seeing something similar in Lincoln High School's art room
during the summer institute of 2008. The students dedicated the painting in the Franklin
library Jan. 25. During the dedication, one of the students said, “The picture means so
much, and it can be here for 100 years. My kids will be able to see it and say, “My dad
made one of those squares!” Principal Tracye Ferguson painted the moon.
From the Donors Choose Web site: An online charity, www.donorschoose.org makes it
easy for anyone to help students in need. Here's how it works: public school teachers
from every corner of America post classroom project requests on
www.donorschoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit to violins
for a school recital to microscope slides for a biology class.
Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires
you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school.
You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a
cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give more than $100, you'll also
receive hand-written, thank-you letters from the students.
Greg Weber in Printing and
Graphics headed a shoe drive for
Haiti. His pickup is completely
filled with donated shoes.
Bryant writes to Haiti
At www.donorschoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice,
transparency and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions.
DeLong celebrates the Lunar New Year
The DeLong Elementary School community was treated to a Lunar (Chinese) New Year
parade Feb. 11 complete with colorful Chinese lion costumes, banging drums and red
envelopes to feed the lion. DeLong students lined the halls and observed as the parade
of lions and costumed students went by. Carolyn Fulton, DeLong’s music teacher,
started this tradition to enhance DeLong’s multicultural focus. Gung hay fat choy!!
Happy New Year!!—Principal Ed Schau
Kindergarten registration set for March 1–26
Elementary schools will conduct on-site kindergarten registration between March 1 and
26. Schools will host open houses during this registration period to welcome new
families and promote the schools and their kindergarten programs. A list of dates and
times will be available on the district Web site.
Elizabeth Hoyer’s class at Bryant
Montessori School wrote friendly
letters with photos to students in
a Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Montessori
school to let students know others
care about them following the
earthquake.
Sherman donates shoes
Stadium senior to perform in cello trio
Alec Duggan, a senior at Stadium High School, will perform after the intermission of the
Tacoma Young Artists Orchestra’s concert on Saturday, March 6. The concert is
sponsored by the Russell Family Foundation and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Rialto
Theater. Duggan, Gloria Lee and Jens Luebeck will perform the “Requiem for Three
Cellos and Orchestra” by David Popper. Lee and Luebeck attend Peninsula High
School.
Tickets will be available at the door for $6 for festival seating on the main floor. Call the
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association at 253.627.2792 for more ticket information or to
purchase tickets in advance.
The Tacoma Young Artists Orchestra is one of seven orchestras presented by the
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. Additional support for the season has been
provided by ArtsFund and the Washington State Arts Commission.
Help locate AIS pencils
Sherman E.S. student Danielle
Freshwaters prepares donated
shoes for Molly Hightower’s Shoe
Drive for people in Haiti.
A small box of 10 dozen “smiley” pencils that belongs to the American International
School of Abuja is missing. The box was on a shelf in the mail area on the second floor
at the Central Administration Building. If you find the pencils, please send them over to
AIS/Abuja, CAB Annex, first floor, attention: Sandy Hackbarth, AIS coordinator.
Applause
Sherman pair collect shoes for Haiti
As part of their Elementary National Honor Society community service project, Sherman
Elementary School fourth grade students, Danielle Freshwaters and Gavin Williams,
collected 826 pairs of shoes to donate to the Molly Hightower’s Shoe Drive for the
people of Haiti. Sherman hosted the shoe drive from Jan. 25 to Feb. 5. Danielle and
Gavin delivered the shoes to Mike Hightower, Molly’s father, on Monday, Feb. 8, at his
Service Steel Aerospace Corporation in Tacoma.
Bryant Montessori connects with a Haitian Montessori school
Students in Elizabeth Hoyer's lower elementary (first, second and third grades)
classroom and second-grade reading group wanted to do something special to help
children in Haiti. Hoyer contacted the director of La Casa Dei Bambini Montessori in
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, via email. The director responded that letters would help the
students understand that others were thinking of them. Each of these Bryant Montessori
students composed a friendly letter and included their photo. Hoyer said, “We hope this
is the beginning of a long-term friendship and pen-pal opportunity between these two
Montessori schools!”
Sherman students Gavin Williams,
left, and Danielle Freshwaters
deliver donated shoes to Molly
Hightower’s father Mike Hightower
at his Service Steel Aerospace
Corporation in Tacoma. Molly was
killed in the Haiti earthquake.
Edison raises funds for Haiti
Edison sells licorice to earn money for Haiti
Edison Elementary School students raised $208 through a licorice sale and donated the
money to World Vision’s Haiti Relief Fund. Edison staff members also contributed to the
fund. Heather Malroy of the Speaker’s Bureau for World Vision accepted several checks
from Edison totaling $500.
Greg Weber heads up shoe drive for Haiti
Greg Weber in Printing and Graphics headed up a collection of gently worn child- and
adult-sized shoes for the people of Haiti devastated by the earthquake. The drive ended
Feb. 8, and Weber’s large pickup truck with a canopy was filled to capacity front and
back with donated shoes.
Tonya Yu: candidate for Presidential Scholar program
Tonya T. Yu, a Foss High School senior, has been selected as a candidate for the
United States Presidential Scholars program, one of the highest honors for high school
students. Annually 141 graduating seniors are chosen to be Presidential Scholars based
on their accomplishments in many areas—academic and artistic success, leadership
and involvement in the community. The finalists represent excellence in education and
the promise of greatness in America’s youth, according to a U.S. Department of
Education press release. Semifinalists will be posted in April and Scholars in May.
Edison ASB officers and adults,
from left to right, are Xavier
Banner; Lisa Du Charme, ASB
Advisor; Julia Denny; Philip
Grant; Sang Min Hwang; and
Heather Malroy with World Vision
Speaker’s Bureau.
Wilson students excel
First Creek mascots participate in plunger race
“Student athletes shone brightly at a recent pep assembly at First Creek Middle School.”
Rachel Smith Mosel, instructional facilitator, said. “As Eagles, led by their mascots,
rose to their feet cheering, the coaches awarded certificates and medallions to First
Creek’s accomplished athletes. Playful teachers and students raced across the gym on
scooters propelled by plungers.”
Wilson H.S. student Xavier
Cooper, seated center, signed a
letter of intent with Washington
State University.
These fun relays were designed by ASB students with the support of Syed Hussain,
math teacher at First Creek. The assembly closed with a surprise for the Eagles: the
Lincoln H.S. drum line. Arranged by Dana Lede and Rachel Smith-Mosel, the drum line
rocked the house. Huge kudos go to Peter Briggs, Lincoln drum line director, for an
exceptional performance!
“First Creek students were awestruck and inspired by the enthusiasm, stage presence
and musicality of the Lincoln students,” said Smith-Mosel. “First Creek teachers beamed
with pride as several of the drum line students were alumni of Gault and McIlvaigh. The
sense of accomplishment, empowerment and leadership shone brightly in the eyes of
Kevin Zuniga, Shamir Payne and Jorge Ibarra as they wowed their peers and siblings.”
Mayor Marilyn Stickland will join the First Creek Eagles when they present their
academic and attendance awards Feb. 18. Proud students, families, staff and the
student body will be inspired by Mayor Stickland and serenaded by the marimbas group
and the choir directed by Kristin Oliver, as well as the orchestra directed by Dana Lede.
Professional development
Wilson H. S. bowler Brandi Loos
placed fourth in the state 4A
championships. She is pictured
with Coach Ken Richardson,
Wilson chemistry teacher.
Online computer class
Teachers Discovering Computers (TDC): Integrating Technology in the 21st Century
Classroom online course. Participants learn how to integrate technology into their
specific curricular area by completing integration projects that incorporate current and
emerging 21st Century tools. Click here for details.
Tech tip
Using the Notes View in PowerPoint
“Most presentations are created backwards,” said Wes Burmark, director, Instructional
Technology. “What’s going to be presented to the audience should be typed word for
word in the “Click to add notes” section (if PowerPoint is used). Click here for a full
Mariah Boring, right, is an honors
English student who won one of
two regional spots to compete in
the state championship for poetry
recital. David Stenger, left, is the
Narrows League wrestling
champion in the 215 pound
explanation of using the Notes View in PowerPoint.
Commute Trip Reduction
division. He is one of only two TPS
wrestlers to win a title. Quoc
Nguyen is the wrestling coach and
English teacher.
Wheel Options spring campaign March 14-27
The Wheel Options spring campaign is March 14-27. More than 1000 of the state’s
largest businesses will participate. Up to 30 Commute Trip Reduction employers have
contributed $100 gift cards to past campaigns.
In addition, May is Bike Month. Here are some of the events in the Tacoma area. Check
with www.piercetrips.com in April for more information and other events. Click here for a
bicycle commuter guide.
Bike Month 2010
Planning for Bike Month 2010 has begun! Check back in April for a full calendar, but
mark your calendars now for these perennially popular events:
Saturday, May 8; Tacoma Bike Swap; University of Puget Sound. Want to sell one of
those bikes cluttering up the garage? Looking for that perfect vintage cruiser? Whether
buying or selling, join us for this second annual event.
Monday-Friday, May 17-21; Bike to Work Week Commuter Contest; All Pierce County
employers. Sign up as a team or individual to participate in the 2010 Bike to Work Week
Commuter Contest. Track your biking mileage for the week and be entered to win great
prizes!.
Monday, May 17; Bike to a Better Tacoma at the Hub; Location: The Hub, 203 Tacoma
Ave. S. Join with fellow bicyclists and City staff members to get happy and talk about
hopes, visions and plans for a more bike-able Tacoma. If you bike to the Hub, grab a
free slice of pizza and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Hub gift certificate.
Thursday, May 20; Third Thursday: Zeit Bike at the Tacoma Art Museum . Come see
innovative kinetic bicycle sculptures by local artists at the Tacoma Art Museum.
Admission is free as part of Third Thursday.
Friday, May 21; Bike and Coffee; Location: TBD. Start the last morning of the Commuter
Challenge with a free cup of coffee served up by local leaders
Don't wait for Bike Month to get out riding! Check out the new and improved Pierce
Trips bicycle page. It is full of Pierce County-specific information including bicycle maps,
whom to call if there is a road or trail maintenance issue and what to do if your bicycle is
stolen.
Community opportunities
Federation of Garden Clubs offers teachers scholarships
The Conservation Teacher’s scholarship program of the Washington State Federation of
Garden Clubs (WSFGC) awards partial scholarships to teachers in grades K-12 for
summer studies in environmental or conservation education. The scholarship amount
varies, depending on donations and number of recipients.
The application and instructions are available on the WSFGC Web site at
www.wagardenclubs.org. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 1.
Notification of the scholarship and amount will be made by May 15.
Contact Giny Rieck, Conservation Teacher’s Scholarships, at 509.946.8483.
AMVETS Americanism contest deadline May 15
There are three months left until the judging begins for the AMVETS Americanism
Quick Links
Event Calendar
Job openings
News & Information
Policies & Procedures
Professional Development
Staff classifieds
Webucator
contest. All entries must be received by May 15 at the AMVETS Post 1 to qualify for the
competition. The Americanism contest and scholarship information can be found on the
Web site at www.amvetswapost1.org under Programs.
It is a patriotic program the organization offers schools and youth organizations as a
resource for teaching children in K-12th grade about their American heritage, civics and
citizenship. The program includes flag drawing, poster and essay contests that are
grade specific and age appropriate. AMVETS and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary sponsor a
series of contests at the local and state level wherein children design flags or posters
and write essays. The winners at the local level progress to the state contests and the
state winners are then entered into the national competition.
Contact Bob Bearden, AMVETS second vice commander and programs director, at
253.572.2552.
Apply now for free Nurse Camp
The MultiCare 2010 Nurse Camp will be July 13—16 free of charge to about 100
selected high school applicants. Applications are due Friday, March 12, and are
available at the Web site at www.multicare.org/nursecamp. Students will be notified of
acceptance by mid-April.
MultiCare Health System created its Nurse Camp in 2004 as an innovative way to
encourage diverse youth in grades 9—12 to consider pursuing careers in nursing and
allied health professions.
The summer program offers:
 Four full days of education, observation and participation in the daily activities of
professional nurses and fellow allied health professionals
 Visits to local nursing programs at area colleges
 Students learn and perform basic health care skills, such as taking vital signs,
suturing and stapling in the operating room and performing IV starts on
mannequins
For more information, contact Liesl Santkuyl, community outreach liaison, MultiCare
Center for Healthy Living, at Liesl.santkuyl@multicare.org or 253.403.1401, or Chelsey
Westby, health educator, chelsey.westby@multicare.org or 253.403.1519.
Tacoma School District complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin, or ancestry, the presence of any sensory, mental or
physical disability or use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a
disability, age, familial or marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military
status. This applies to all educational programs and extra-curricular activities. Inquiries regarding the application
of the above should be directed to Dr. Da Verne S. Bell, district liaison, equity and diversity, telephone
253.571.1292. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX should be directed to Jennifer Kubista, director of
Athletics and Activities, telephone 253.571.1123. Inquiries regarding the application of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act (concerning students with disabilities who are not eligible for special education) should be
directed to Chris Backman, coordinator of guidance and counseling, telephone 253.571.1182. Inquiries regarding
accommodations for disabled employees and the public should be directed to Leslie Nohr, disability
accommodation officer, telephone, 253.571.1021. These individuals may be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 1357,
Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.