Everett named School Board of the Year
The Everett School Board on Nov. 20 was named a state 2014 Board of the Year, along with Union Gap and University Place. Everett was chosen in the category of 9,000 or more students.
Everett School Board members are President Pam LeSesne, Carol Andrews, Caroline Mason, Traci Mitchell and Ted Wenta.
“Each of our boards of the year has shown how a commitment to quality education for all kids can translate into real progress,” said Mari Taylor, outgoing WSSDA president and a Lake Stevens School Board member. “These boards model true leadership in their passion and their actions.”
The three school boards were chosen from an initial field of 23 school boards nominated from across the state. Of those, 17 were named Boards of Distinction, a list that also included the Lake Stevens School Board.
Boards of the Year are selected by a panel, which looks at scores on a variety of measures.
In accepting the Everett School Board’s earlier Board of Distinction award, LeSesne credited those who came before the current board. “A single test score, like a single award, speaks to learning and work completed over time,” she said.
Cadets study fire behavior
Camano Island Fire and Rescue recently held a fire behavior training session with the Stanwood High School cadet firefighter program.
Participants in the exercise included Collin Richards, Chaysten Morgan, Brett Wilfong, Capt. Johnathan Fleischer, Alexander Major, Blaine Halvorson, Dillon Wilson, Capt. John Jeans, Nicholas Smoody, Stephen Riffle, Capt. Isaac Johnson, Capt. Austin Wilkins, Noah Echelbarger, Nathan McCaughan, Ryan Bergstrom, Nicolas Wright and Brayden Powell, along with several instructors.
Foundation breakfast fundraiser a success
More than 300 people attended the annual Mukilteo Schools Foundation fundraising breakfast Nov. 11 and raised more than $60,000 that will be used to fund classroom grants, scholarships for graduating seniors, and programs to promote STEM activities. The event was held at the Future of Flight Aviation Center and featured a presentation by best-selling author Carol Cassella.
Edmonds District receives AP grants
Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace high schools have joined the small number (1 percent) of schools nationwide where the percentage of underserved student populations in college-level Advanced Placement and Honors courses is the same or better than the school population as a whole.
In recognition of those efforts, the schools will receive a $12,700 grant through Seattle-based Equal Opportunity Schools, the organization the school has worked with to improve its participation rates under the AP/IB Equity and Excellence Project. The money will help the high schools continue their progress.
Edmonds-Woodway High School also participated in the initiative and made significant progress. Meadowdale High School will take part in the grant-funded program during the 2015-16 school year.
Rotary gives nod to Students of the Month
The Rotary Club of Everett on Nov. 18 honored seniors Chris Lovgreen of Everett High School and Ken Tran of Cascade High School as students of the month.
Lovgreen is editor of the student newspaper and plans to become a teacher. Tran plans to attend the University of Washington and aspires to become a doctor.
ELL teacher honored by Rotary
Rebecca Biddick, an English teacher at Alderwood Middle School, is the November Rotary Club of Alderwood-Terrace Educator of the Month. Biddick, who’s taught at the school for 10 years, has focused most recently on teaching literacy and English language learners.
“Her expectations within her classroom extend beyond academics and include her expectations for a classroom climate that is characterized by high levels of civility and respect,” Principal Erin Murphy said.
President to Monroe teen: ‘Very impressive’
Seven students from Monroe School District’s Sky Valley Education Center attended a Model United Nations high school conference Oct. 29-31 in Panama City.
Sophomore Alexandra Ash presented her speech in front of Juan Carlos Varela, recently elected president of Panama, and had a chance to shake Varela’s hand.
Although she felt that his presence was “a little intimidating … and just a little bit more pressure,” Ash also said it was “more fun to speak to someone who had such high stature and had done so much work politically.”
The president told her that her speech was “very impressive.”
Varela was the keynote speaker at the annual Panama Model United Nations conference, which was hosted by the International School of Panama. Over 450 students from the United States, Panama and Latin America gathered to discuss and resolve current world problems in a three-day simulation of the United Nations.
The Monroe delegates were selected to represent the Russian Federation on six committees: Ash on the Security Council; Frances Scott-Weis on the Disarmament and International Security Committee; Samantha Hastings on the Special Committee on Refugees; Nora Cyra on the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Aidan Emmons on the UN Peacebuilding Commission; and Connor Cheney on the Economic and Social Council.
“Representing Russia was an honor, as this country is usually assigned to well-prepared delegations who can take on such a demanding role throughout the conference,” teacher Joyce Marquardt said.
Jackson teacher given $1,000 STEM award
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Educational Foundation has selected STEM teacher Brielle Kemis of Jackson High School as a winner of the AFCEA STEM Teacher Scholarship. Kemis was awarded $1,000.
The scholarship recognizes teachers who have earned their degree and are teaching a STEM subject in a U.S. middle or high school.
Sustainable measures earn EdCC spot on field
Edmonds Community College was recognized as a Champion of Sustainability at the Seattle Seahawks game on Nov. 23 for demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by the Seattle Seahawks and McKinstry, a Seattle-based consulting, construction, energy,and facility services company.
According to McKinstry, Edmonds CC has demonstrated actions to upgrade buildings’ infrastructure and reduce energy consumption. The recognition program is a part of the Defend Your Turf campaign initiated by the Seahawks and Sounders FC in 2012.
To submit items for School Winners, email newstips@heraldnet.com.
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