The word from: Sequoia High School
“We just did a canned food drive, and every class here participated with 852 cans going to the Everett Food Bank. We are also doing Pennies for Patients, which we did last year. We were one of the top schools in the area. We hope to do just as good this year.”
— Brieana Birdsall, junior
Cascade begins food drive to help families
Cascade High School’s student body began its 46th annual food drive Monday with a goal of collecting enough food for 120 families for an entire week.
In addition, the ASB at the Everett school sponsors a “Giving Tree” to collect and wrap presents for the children of families receiving food baskets.
The food drive will end Dec. 12.
Lakewood to ask voters to approve 2 levies
The Lakewood School Board has placed a maintenance and operation levy and a technology levy on the Feb. 19 ballot.
The ballot proposal is for a four-year levy that would replace the current operations levy.
The levy pays for roughly 17 percent of the district’s daily operations and makes up the difference between the state and federal funding the district receives and what it costs to educate Lakewood’s students.
Examples of programs not fully funded by state and federal revenues include curriculum, technology, facility maintenance and upkeep, student transportation and new school buses, student athletics and activities, security and emergency preparedness, health and counseling services, services for special needs students, staff training and teachers, support staff, compensation, and benefits beyond state funding levels.
In 2007, taxpayers are paying $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed valuation on the current levy. For the replacement levy, it is projected that the tax rate would be $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2009, $1.73 in 2010, $1.62 in 2011 and $1.54 in 2012. The maximum collection amounts would be $4.4 million in 2009, $4.8 million in 2010, $5.2 million in 2011 and $5.6 million in 2012.
The technology levy proposal would let the district collect $3.8 million over four years for technology improvements and equipment. After 2012, the levy would expire. The district projects that the tax rate for this levy would be 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2009, 32 cents in 2010, 31 cents in 2011 and 30 cents in 2012.
Stanwood board members want to chat
Stanwood School District board members will be available for coffee and conversation in coming months.
November dates are 4 p.m. today with board member Julie Dean at Elger Bay Elementary School’s staff room, 1810 Elger Bay Road, and noon Wednesday with board member Roger Myers at Utsalady Elementary library, 608 Arrowhead Road.
Totem Middle School gym dedicated to teacher
Monte Parratt, longtime Marysville School District employee and physical education teacher at Marysville Junior High School, was honored at a Nov. 9 ceremony.
Students, staff, family members and the local residents attended the dedication ceremony when the Totem Middle School gym was officially named Monty Parratt Gymnasium.
Parratt worked for the district for more than 30 years as a PE teacher. Most of his career was at the junior high, where he taught and coached thousands of students. The junior high was converted to Totem this fall.
Clyde Nordgren, a former colleague and family friend, said, “Monty’s positive influence played a significant role in enriching the lives of others.”
School board member Don Hatch said, “Monty was loved by all and he treated everyone with respect and kindness.”
A bronze plaque will be placed at the gym entrance.
Northshore seeks input for superintendent search
As one of the first steps in the search for a new leader for Northshore schools, community members are invited to provide their input about the next superintendent’s experience and qualities.
A short eight-question online survey, accessible at http://www.nsd.org, asks people to rate the importance of various qualifications for the position. There is also opportunity to provide written comments. Access to the survey will be available until Dec. 5.
The survey results will be used to develop the brochure that describes the position and the qualities sought in the next superintendent. That brochure will be sent to more than 600 regional and national recipients to create a network of people aware that Northshore is searching for potential candidates for the job.
School board members will also use the survey results to understand what qualities and experience people believe the next superintendent should possess. Regular updates on the search will be provided at www.nsd.org.
UW-Bothell sets freshmen preview day
University of Washington-Bothell plans a Freshmen Preview Day for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 8, on campus in the North Creek Events Center.
This event will showcase the opportunities available to freshmen at UW-Bothell and is a chance for interested students to visit the campus and get information on degree programs, applications and financial aid.
For more information, or to RSVP, go to http://www.uwb.edu/students/prospective/freshmen/infosession.xhtml.
Freshmen applications for fall 2008 are being accepted, and the priority application and scholarship deadline is Jan. 15.
EdCC adds new aerospace degree
Edmonds Community College is offering a new Associate of Applied Science degree that lets students begin their preparations to transfer to a four-year university by taking aerospace manufacturing classes.
Courses start this winter.
Grants of up to $5,000 for tuition and books are available to students interested in earning this degree or studying materials science, composite technician or project management with an intent to work in the advanced manufacturing industry. Call 425-640-1039 for more information.
EdCC also offers a similar Associate of Applied Science transfer degree in materials science and a composites technician certificate.
For more information, call 425-640-1862. Winter classes at EdCC run from Jan. 7 to March 21. Registration is under way.
What’s up at your school? Call us at 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.
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