Education

Everett Public Schools' Randi Seaberg guides students from Henry M. Jackson High School as they get off the bus during an EPS emergency drill on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett schools run drill reuniting kids, parents in emergencies

Staff directed students and “surrogate parents” as a simulation of a major evacuation due to a shooting or chemical spill.

Everett Public Schools' Randi Seaberg guides students from Henry M. Jackson High School as they get off the bus during an EPS emergency drill on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Analisa Paterno of Marysville-Getchell, left, shares a laugh with Nathan Harms Friday morning at Pathfinder Manufacturing in Everett, Washington on September 23, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sky’s the limit: Snohomish County teens help build parts for Boeing

Pathfinder Manufacturing in Everett trains dozens of at-risk high school students to make airplane parts, en route to a career.

Analisa Paterno of Marysville-Getchell, left, shares a laugh with Nathan Harms Friday morning at Pathfinder Manufacturing in Everett, Washington on September 23, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Tanya King, left, looks to where Hailey Newton, right, ask to hang her project Thursday afternoon at Beverly Elementary in Lynnwood, Washington on September 14, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

2 ‘extraordinary educators’ honored nationally for success in classroom

Tanya King in Edmonds practices “controlled chaos.” Zachary Pfrimmer in Stanwood is orderly. Data shows both have been wildly successful.

Tanya King, left, looks to where Hailey Newton, right, ask to hang her project Thursday afternoon at Beverly Elementary in Lynnwood, Washington on September 14, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
People gather outside of the new Northwest Carpenters Institute building prior to a grand opening celebration Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022, in Burlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Building a workforce: Northwest Carpenters expand training center

About 160 Snohomish County tradespeople take the apprentice classes in Burlington center. There’s ample room to grow.

People gather outside of the new Northwest Carpenters Institute building prior to a grand opening celebration Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022, in Burlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Meadowdale High School Principal Dave Shockley laughs while touring his school’s temporary space for the new school health center on Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

First school-based clinic in Snohomish County opens at Meadowdale High

School and health officials said the new on-campus center should boost wellness and grades for Lynnwood students.

Meadowdale High School Principal Dave Shockley laughs while touring his school’s temporary space for the new school health center on Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Michael Adams is trying to navigate the school district's procedure for addressing complaints about racism after his son was the subject of some racist Snapchat messages sent by Granite Falls High School students in May. 

Photographed in Granite Falls, Washington on September 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After threat to ‘lynch’ Granite Falls boy, father says school fell short

Michael Adams helped craft the district’s diversity policy. Then his son became a target of racism. He now wants more changes.

Michael Adams is trying to navigate the school district's procedure for addressing complaints about racism after his son was the subject of some racist Snapchat messages sent by Granite Falls High School students in May. 

Photographed in Granite Falls, Washington on September 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Challenger Elementary School staff chats with bus drivers before school lets out on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County bus driver shortage creates ripple effect for schools

Widespread job vacancies mean doubling up on routes or shifting staff members to backfill for missing drivers.

Challenger Elementary School staff chats with bus drivers before school lets out on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Seattle teachers approve new contract following strike

Teachers in Seattle have approved a new, three-year contract following a strike.

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Guillermo Carvajal, a member of the support staff at Northgate Elementary School in Seattle, and Erin Carroll, an occupational therapist there, picket outside the building on the third day of a strike by the Seattle Education Association on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The union and Seattle Public Schools continued negotiating over issued that include pay and support for special needs students. It remained unclear how long the strike might last. (AP Photo/Gene Johnson)

Tentative deal reached to end Seattle teachers strike

Seattle Public Schools said late Monday it had reached a tentative agreement with the union for teachers.

Guillermo Carvajal, a member of the support staff at Northgate Elementary School in Seattle, and Erin Carroll, an occupational therapist there, picket outside the building on the third day of a strike by the Seattle Education Association on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The union and Seattle Public Schools continued negotiating over issued that include pay and support for special needs students. It remained unclear how long the strike might last. (AP Photo/Gene Johnson)
Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wildfire smoke closes schools in Index, Sultan

Unhealthy air prompted the first wildfire-related closure in Sultan. Power was cut to Index, where students were told to evacuate.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Liberty Elementary (top) and (bottom, L-R) 10th Street Middle, Cascade Elementary, Marysville-Getchell High and Shoultes Elementary schools. (Marysville School District)

Failed levies slashed Marysville sports; now, county will fund some

Through a county grant, the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA will host on-campus athletics for grades 6 to 8, but not in the WIAA.

Liberty Elementary (top) and (bottom, L-R) 10th Street Middle, Cascade Elementary, Marysville-Getchell High and Shoultes Elementary schools. (Marysville School District)
Kindergarteners from around the school district wait to change classrooms at Woodside Elementary School during Everett Ready, a program that helps kindergarteners get familiar with school routines on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, near Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hundreds of Everett kindergarteners get a dress rehearsal for school

Everett Ready, a transition program, helps students learn what to expect in class. About 78% of incoming students signed up.

Kindergarteners from around the school district wait to change classrooms at Woodside Elementary School during Everett Ready, a program that helps kindergarteners get familiar with school routines on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, near Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Seattle teachers make signs at Judkins Park Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 in advance of a possible strike this week. Teachers in Seattle have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike as contract talks continue on the eve of the new school year. Seattle Education Association President Jennifer Matter announced Tuesday that 95% of ballots returned by the union's membership favored going on strike absent an agreement with Seattle Public Schools. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle cancels 1st day of school as teachers OK strike

Wednesdays first day of school canceled after teachers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

Seattle teachers make signs at Judkins Park Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 in advance of a possible strike this week. Teachers in Seattle have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike as contract talks continue on the eve of the new school year. Seattle Education Association President Jennifer Matter announced Tuesday that 95% of ballots returned by the union's membership favored going on strike absent an agreement with Seattle Public Schools. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Wary optimism as students, educators embark on new school year

There’s a sense of normalcy. There’s also concern about the pandemic’s toll on students and its impact on staff shortages.

Liberty Elementary (top) and (bottom, L-R) 10th Street Middle, Cascade Elementary, Marysville-Getchell High and Shoultes Elementary schools. (Marysville School District)

Bigger class sizes, smaller staffs await Marysville students

After two levies failed, this year’s budget includes 45 fewer full-time positions. Most reductions were at the elementary level.

Liberty Elementary (top) and (bottom, L-R) 10th Street Middle, Cascade Elementary, Marysville-Getchell High and Shoultes Elementary schools. (Marysville School District)
The Snohomish School Board, pictured here, recently appointed Sarah Adams, fourth from the left, to fill a vacant position. (Courtesy of Snohomish School District)

Mental health professional appointed to Snohomish School Board

Sarah Adams wants to emotionally and academically support students as schools “rebuild after COVID.”

The Snohomish School Board, pictured here, recently appointed Sarah Adams, fourth from the left, to fill a vacant position. (Courtesy of Snohomish School District)
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Small school districts find special ed ‘safety net’ can be tangled web

Lake Stevens lost about $140K in special education refunds due to clerical errors. Avoiding a repeat will consume staff resources.

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President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Student loan forgiveness a ‘Band-Aid’ for big wound, say locals in debt

Up to $20K in debt will be erased for millions. In Snohomish County, reactions were mixed: elation, frustration, calls to go further.

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Heritage High Principal Dr. Nathan Plummer and Tulalip Education Division Executive Director Jessica Bulstad stand out front at Heritage High School on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Marysville school’s new approach embraces ‘Indigenous ways of learning’

Educators are redesigning Heritage High’s education model to support Indigenous students in a culturally competent way.

Heritage High Principal Dr. Nathan Plummer and Tulalip Education Division Executive Director Jessica Bulstad stand out front at Heritage High School on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marci Larsen

Monroe’s interim superintendent hired at $260K

Marci Larsen is set to lead the school district for 2022-23.

Marci Larsen