Schools FYI
Published 11:29 pm Monday, November 19, 2007
The word from:
Meadowdale High School
“We just got off a tough loss in football. It was disappointing but we made a good effort. Now we’re looking forward to basketball season. Plus it’s ‘No Shave November,’ where no one cuts their hair or facial hair so that’s fun.”
— CARSON GILL, SENIOR
Northshore gets help for superintendent search
The Northshore School Board approved a contract at Nov. 13 for Northwest Leadership Associates to serve as its superintendent search consultant.
Lead consultant John Fotheringham, who brought interim Superintendent Dolores Gibbons to the district, will work with the board to gather input, develop and distribute the position announcement, recruit and screen candidates, and arrange for staff and community involvement in the process.
“John and his colleagues have provided good advice to the district on many topics for many years,” board President B-Z Davis said. “They know how to find candidates who are the best fit to lead our schools.”
During the past eight years, Northwest Leadership Associates has conducted more than 120 superintendent searches in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In recent years, the firm has helped find superintendents for the Marysville, Mukilteo, Puyallup and Renton school districts, among others.
More information about how to provide input to the search process will be available before the end of November.
Oak Harbor drops off ‘dropout factory’ list
The lead author of a study that highlighted 1,700 schools nationally as “dropout factories” has agreed that Oak Harbor High School should not have been included on that list.
In a letter, Robert Balfanz, a Johns Hopkins University researcher, said, “Oak Harbor High School does not currently meet the criteria for ‘fitting the profile’ of a dropout factory and should not be characterized as such.”
The study, which recently earned national attention, compared the number of freshmen and the number of seniors three years later.
The difference, as reported in the news, was considered to be the number of dropouts, and schools with a 40 percent dropout rate or higher were listed as “dropout factories.”
However, Oak Harbor is one of several schools in Washington where students are not counted by year class, but must earn their way to the next grade by passing courses and receiving credit. As a result, the freshman class appears larger and the senior class appears smaller.
Snohomish seeks volunteers for panel
The Snohomish School District is accepting applications for its curriculum materials committee.
The committee is looking for parents and community members who’d like to join. For an application, call the Teaching and Learning Services department at 360-563-7257.
Applications need to be completed and returned by Nov. 30.
Mukilteo to submit bond, levy in February
The Mukilteo School Board voted last week to place two measures on the Feb. 19 ballot.
It will ask voters to approve a $139.2 million construction bond proposal and a six-year capital projects levy.
The bond would finance various building improvements and additions, such as the renovation of Mukilteo and Discovery elementary schools, the construction of a new elementary school in the Lake Stickney area, the purchase of land or buildings for future growth and other projects.
The capital projects levy would raise $11.2 million over six years for ongoing facility and technology needs.
Mountlake Terrace band boosters plan fundraiser
The Mountlake Terrace High School Music Boosters plan an annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 8 in the MTHS Hub, 21801 44th Ave. W.
It’s all-you-can-eat pancakes, beverages and more. The cost is $3 for students and seniors and $5 for adults. Digital pictures with or without Santa will be taken for a nominal fee, and musical entertainment from MTHS musicians and other area schools will be provided.
There will also be a raffle with tickets $1 for Musical Sweet — a Christmas tree decorated with musical- and candy-themed ornaments.
The event is a fundraiser for music trips. Contact mthsmusicboosters@ earthlink.net or 425-776-7599 for more information.
Kamiak environmental club brews biodiesel
Students in Kamiak’s GREAN Club (Grass Roots Environmental Action Network) recently spent a Saturday building a biodiesel processing plant and then making their own biodiesel fuel.
With the help of their adviser, chemistry teacher John Anderson, and the diesel mechanics instructor at the Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, Brent Delfel, the students built a biodiesel fuel processing plant out of an old water heater and then made 16 gallons of fuel using 12 gallons of used cooking oil from the school cafeteria and other sources.
The students plan to use the fuel in a 1982 Checker taxi that the students in the diesel mechanics class at the Skills Center are now rebuilding.
They hope to show the car at parades and car shows and hand out information about alternative fuels.
Mariner plans night for community to gather
Mariner High School plans a free Strengthening Our Community event at the school from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5.
The event was initiated by the school’s site council and organized by senior students to provide a way for people in the community to meet their neighbors and learn about resources that are available.
Among the attendees expected are community leaders, local business owners, school district officials, representatives from Sno-Isle libraries and experts from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. The event includes dinner, entertainment and door prizes.
“This is really being organized by a lot of the seniors here,” said Brent Kline, Mariner’s principal. “It’s really an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors.”
What’s up at your school? Call us at 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.
