The word from: Monroe High School

“I’m liking my humanities class and … career choices class. It’s helping me plan for later in life. I don’t know what I want to be yet, but it’s helping me narrow it down.

“This spring I’ll be in soccer in the forward position, but right now I am focusing on academics. There was a marketing DECA competition, trying to present a product advertisement for a business.”

MITCHELL BALK, freshman

Edmonds district to talk math with parents

Parents of Edmonds School District elementary students are invited to attend workshops about math.

The workshops, both from 7 to 8:30 p.m., are Monday at Terrace Park School, 5409 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, and Jan. 30 at Meadowdale Elementary School, 6505 168th St. SW, Lynnwood.

Teachers will demonstrate math lessons focusing on key ideas for each grade level. Topics covered will include addition and subtraction in kindergarten through second grade, understanding multiplication for third and fourth grades and understanding fractions in the fifth and sixth grades.

Child care will be provided.

The district’s goal is for parents to understand that their children are learning math in a comprehensive way that connects arithmetic and problem-solving. Parents also will learn how to support children’s arithmetic and problem-solving skills.

For more information, contact Jacqueline McDonald, mathematics coordinator, at 425-431-7194 or ­mcdonaldj@edmonds.wednet.edu.

EvCC shortens crane’s reach on building project

The contractor constructing a $52 million undergraduate education center at Everett Community College has adjusted its large crane so it no longer can reach over the Whittier Elementary School building next door, officials said.

Michael Kerns, an EvCC vice president, said concerns had been raised about the crane and the college worked with the contractor to make sure people felt safe. The crane’s arm was shortened by 19 feet.

“The impact is minimal,” Kerns said. “It doesn’t change the schedule.”

The undergraduate education center will be a three-story building that’s scheduled to open in the spring of 2009.

Expert to address Internet safety issues

Janet Malkow of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit will help parents and students understand how best to use the Internet safely during a presentation at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Henry M. Jackson High School.

“The technology is a fact of life for today’s young people,” said Lyn Lauzon, the school’s drug and alcohol intervention specialist. “However, it can be an unknown or frightening for some parents We’ve planned this workshop to raise awareness and give parents and students information that builds their confidence and ability to use a valuable tool and to do so safely.

“Parents can minimize potential risks for students — not only at home where students may be accessing the Internet but in other locations as well,” she added.

Lauzon has planned a light supper before the event for those who can arrive at 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood wins grant to make school repairs

The Lakewood School District recently received a $47,774 small repair grant from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to make improvements to its schools.

The projects include replacement of the entire control, monitoring and alarm system for the main sewer pump station; replacement of the asphalt paths between Lakewood Elementary and Lakewood Middle schools and between the science center portables and the south end of English Crossing Elementary School.

Also included will be the removal of five trees endangering portables and lifting the asphalt.

Lynndale fundraiser to help send kids to camp

A spaghetti dinner to raise money to send Lynndale Elementary School sixth-graders to camp is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the school’s gym, 7200 191st Place SW, Lynnwood.

The evening event will include dinner, student entertainment and a raffle.

Cost is $6 a person or $25 for a family of five or more. Donations are also being accepted.

The event will help raise money to send students to outdoor school at Camp Killoqua.

St. Thomas More to hold open house Sunday

St. Thomas More Parish School plans an open house from 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday for families interested in enrolling during the 2008-09 school year.

During the annual school open house, prospective families are invited to meet school administrators, teachers and staff and tour the school campus. Teachers will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the school’s academic instruction and extracurricular activities.

St. Thomas More School, 6511 176th St. SW, Lynn­wood, serves students from preschool through eighth grade from greater south Snohomish County and north King County.

For more information, go to www.stms.org or call the main office at 425-743-4242.

What’s up at your school? Call us at 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.