FYI: Your Schools
Published 11:29 pm Monday, September 10, 2007
The word from:
EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL
“I used to live here and then I moved to Florida for three years and then I just moved back. It’s just the usual work of getting ready for the big long projects you have ahead of you.”
A smoother transition in Everett high schools
Lines of angst-ridden students leading to counselor offices during the first week of school were much shorter than in the past in the Everett School District’s three large high schools.
Under a new program, staff at the high schools sent letters and made calls home during the summer to make sure students would be returning in the fall. They used that information to reserve spots in classes where students were returning and free up space for other students in classes where they weren’t.
The process also allowed students to confirm the list of classes they signed up for and to write in any changes they wanted.
All the behind-the-scenes work made for a better transition with fewer students missing class at the beginning of the year, school officials said.
“This is the smoothest I’ve seen it,” said Norm Lowery, an Everett High School counselor. “There was a whole lot of work done upfront.”
Monroe discusses finances, levy, bond
The results are in from the work done by almost 100 volunteers and staff members who worked to trim more than $1 million from Monroe Public Schools’ budget.
District residents are invited to hear the results and the challenges ahead at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Monroe Middle School Library, 351 Short Columbia St.
School board members and staff will share news about the 2007-08 final budget as well as upcoming challenges. Growth and increasing costs of supplies and labor have caused the schools’ reserves to dip dramatically. Last year, school leaders and staff cut expenditures and increased revenue, providing a better starting point than anticipated for this year’s spending plan.
Also up for discussion will be a renewal proposal for the school district maintenance and operation levy, which expires in 2008. Levy dollars primarily pay for learning, such as buying textbooks, expanding library collections, student activities and salary increases.
Another topic will be a possible school bond measure to improve and repair existing buildings. A study of the district’s schools has been going on for several months. Volunteers have surveyed every public school in Monroe and prioritized more than $100 million of suggestions for improvements. A community survey is ongoing and available on the schools’ Web site at www.monroe.wednet.edu.
School board members will decide in October what funding measures to place before voters in the spring.
The School Funding Forum is a way for residents to share their ideas and concerns. The school board also welcomes comments by e-mail at schoolboard@monroe.wednet.edu and at its 7 p.m. meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the administration building, 200 E. Fremont St., in downtown Monroe.
Mukilteo looking for volunteer help
Every year, about 450 Mukilteo School District students receive new school clothes through a program called Operation School Bell, a clothing program run by the Assistance League of Everett.
The program operates from September through March and the district is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate drivers.
Anyone interested in learning more about Operation School Bell and possibly volunteering as a co-coordinator can call Anita Harris at 425-488-2116.
Lakewood High School plans open house, fair
An open house and college and career fair are set for Wednesday evening at Lakewood High School, 17023 11th Ave. NE.
The college and career fair will be in the commons from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
There will be a financial aid presentation from 5:30 to 6 p.m. in Room 105 and presentations for parents in the school’s theater from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and from 6 to 6:30 p.m. From 6:30 to 8:10, parents can tour the school following their child’s academic schedule as part of the open house.
Granite has openings for preschool program
The Granite Falls School District is continuing to enroll students in its preschool program for low-income students.
Any child who is 4 years old may qualify if the family meets income guidelines.
Enrollment and screening applications are available by calling 360-691-4848.
The school district also offers a special services preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 with developmental disabilities. Call 360-691-7717 for more information and registration materials.
Annual back-to-school gathering in Darrington
The Darrington School District plans its annual communitywide, back-to-school barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 behind Darrington Elementary School, 1075 Fir St.
If it rains, the gathering will be moved across to the covered play area at the elementary school.
What’s up at your school? Call us at 425-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.
