Shoreline schools

Do what’s right for all Shoreline kids

The Sunset community is advocating for a fair and balanced process based on reliable data. We are a “grass-roots, parent-driven effort” who are not hysterically advocating for our own school to remain open at the expense of the entire district. We have many talented current and former families who are helping us in the legal, public relations and fact-finding aspects of our effort to do what is right for the children and families of Shoreline.

The process followed by the District Advisory Committee for Programs and Operations (DACPO) set up by the School District Administration did not follow the criteria set by the state or even the committee itself.

Our community wants elected school board officials to get the all of the facts so they can make informed, thoughtful decisions. We encourage you to visit www.saveshorelineschools.com for information, contacts, links for data and helpful ideas to save our school(s) from a poorly planned “Band-Aid” solution to a budgetary problem that our school district administration created over the past few years.

With school closures, every family in the district will be affected in some way. Class sizes will go up. School enrollment will exceed 500 students in all remaining facilities — Meridian Park will exceed 800 students! Incidentally, 10 plus years of nationally and internationally recognized research recommends that the “ideal” elementary school model is 300-400 students, not DACPO’s recommended 508 students.

Sunset Elementary is a school worth saving. Not just because our school is a “high performing elementary school” (state OSPI guidelines) or because we have dedicated teachers and a wonderful multi-cultural family, but because our community cares about the future of all Shoreline children. We all need to ensure that the Shoreline school administration and school board follow through and develop a comprehensive long-term plan for our schools. They need to find acceptable, cost cutting savings in all areas of the budget before targeting our schools for closure. The alternative is that your current home school will be crammed with 500-550 students in September — and your child may not be one of them.

Suzanne Gugger

Shoreline

Schools

What results with the Shoreline laptops?

Any good scientist will never set up an experiment without understanding the kind of data that will be generated. If the type and quality of data obtained cannot be interpreted or understood, the experiment is a total waste of time, money and resources.

The laptop initiative has been variously called a roll-out, a continuation of a roll-out and other procedural titles that essentially say “experiment.” What is the data read-out of this experiment? Any soft science surveys that ask “Do you think it is good to continue to receive free personal computers?” probably will see general support amongst recipients. Just how useful is such biased data?

Are GPA’s statistically or significantly up this year at the four main schools? Is there a quantitative diminution of D’s and F’s amongst those 4,500 students? Do all teachers, when asked anonymously and free from any pressure from above, support how the laptop initiative was implemented? Are classroom dynamics and learning better by independent assessment? Is there a jump in the number of seniors being accepted to top-tier universities? Did last spring’s WASL scores (seventh grade) quantitatively soar? Will this year’s WASL scores (seventh and 10th grade) quantitatively soar? By the way, what is the true total number of laptops stolen already? Has there been a 20 or 30 percent increase in potential employers starting to scout seniors who are now great at PowerPoint even though their reading, writing and arithmetic may have suffered a tad?

For the tens upon tens of millions of dollars, is the experiment an unqualified success? What is the data read-out used to support that conclusion?

Raymond Koelling

Lake Forest Park

Responsibility, not excuses

Everyone can help restore sense of hope

Having grown up in the turbulent ’60s and at an age where one is given the opportunity to exercise perfect hindsight vision, I’ve come to realize that true leadership is about creating a sense of hope. Unfortunately, few leaders emerge with the charisma or skills necessary to give those feeling excluded from life’s opportunities a sense of hope — hope that their tomorrow will be better than their today.

Leadership of hope is an attribute exhibited by a select few — Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, John Kennedy, Abe Lincoln. So rarely do such personalities emerge that anyone exhibiting such characteristics instantly becomes a darling to the press and (usually) rapidly fades under the scrutiny of fame.

Common to these leaders was their unique ability to replace the populace’s cynicism of government (and life) with the belief that tomorrow will be better! It is important not to overlook that included in these messages of hope was the theme of responsibility — a responsibility to participate; a responsibility to oneself and to others.

In today’s society we seem to be losing sight of the greatness of this country and its people. I say stand firm, take heart and become a positive part of your community. That’s the path for a better tomorrow. Teach responsibility, not excuses. Become a local leader of hope. Believe and work toward a better tomorrow and through your actions it will come.

Without a doubt we have had some remarkable leaders over the past 40 years. My hope is that once more in my lifetime I have the privilege to see greatness. As our elected leaders converge in Olympia and the race for the White House begins, seek leadership of hope. Demand it. Expect it. Respect it.

Ron Ledford

Marysville

Protect-A-Pet

Thanks for making city pet friendly

On Jan. 20, Mill Creek became a friendlier place for 74 four-legged family members.

Those dogs and cats were implanted with a free identifying microchip at a very successful Protect-A-Pet event held at Mill Creek City Hall.

As a longtime dog owner, I know none of us ever expect to lose our special family member. But unfortunately it does happen. With the implanted microchip, we now have a better tool for getting lost pets back to their owners. We will also be able to keep our officers patrolling the streets rather than driving to the Everett Animal Shelter.

This event would not have been possible without contributions and support from Mill Creek businesses, staff and individual volunteers, as well as the residents who took time to license their pets and spend a Saturday afternoon at City Hall.

Those and other licensed and microchipped pets are much less likely to be lost or end up in the shelter. If they are picked up, our animal control officer will be able to read the pet’s identity and owner’s contact information. Those pets will be returned to the owner, rather than taken to the shelter. Their owners will avoid significant fines and shelter fees in the process.

I especially want to thank the sponsors, who made the event possible: AVID Microchip ID Systems for providing the microchips at cost; the Mill Creek Enterprise, Artis Photography, Peoples Bank and Paddywack, whose donations purchased the microchips; and Starbucks for providing refreshments for the volunteers. Dr. Michael Betts of the Mill Creek Veterinary Hospital and his staff implanted the chips, and Dr. Betts provided discounted rabies shots.

This event certainly would not have been successful without the efforts of our city manager, Steve Nolen, who enthusiastically supported, publicized and organized city staff. Thank you to all the staff who worked on the event, the wonderful Mill Creek Youth Board, and the other community volunteers.

Together they made the Protect-A-Pet event so successful. I look forward to a future event to protect even more of our four-legged friends.

Donna Michelson

Mayor, city of Mill Creek

Responsibility, not excuses

Everyone can help restore sense of hope

Having grown up in the turbulent ’60s and at an age where one is given the opportunity to exercise perfect hindsight vision, I’ve come to realize that true leadership is about creating a sense of hope. Unfortunately, few leaders emerge with the charisma or skills necessary to give those feeling excluded from life’s opportunities a sense of hope — hope that their tomorrow will be better than their today.

Leadership of hope is an attribute exhibited by a select few — Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, John Kennedy, Abe Lincoln. So rarely do such personalities emerge that anyone exhibiting such characteristics instantly becomes a darling to the press and (usually) rapidly fades under the scrutiny of fame.

Common to these leaders was their unique ability to replace the populace’s cynicism of government (and life) with the belief that tomorrow will be better! It is important not to overlook that included in these messages of hope was the theme of responsibility — a responsibility to participate; a responsibility to oneself and to others.

In today’s society we seem to be losing sight of the greatness of this country and its people. I say stand firm, take heart and become a positive part of your community. That’s the path for a better tomorrow. Teach responsibility, not excuses. Become a local leader of hope. Believe and work toward a better tomorrow and through your actions it will come.

Without a doubt we have had some remarkable leaders over the past 40 years. My hope is that once more in my lifetime I have the privilege to see greatness. As our elected leaders converge in Olympia and the race for the White House begins, seek leadership of hope. Demand it. Expect it. Respect it.

Ron Ledford

Marysville

Terrace council

Reprimand more than ‘slap on wrist’

Thank you for your informative article regarding the reprimands of MLT Mayor Jerry Smith and Councilman (John) Zambrano (Terrace reprimand for mayor, council, Jan. 26). It is truly amazing this council was not united in its decision for this reprimand, but fortunately the wiser votes prevailed.

I believe this reprimand represents more than a “slap on the wrist.” I believe this reprimand speaks to the credibility — or perhaps to the lack thereof — of these respected council members.

The citizens of our city have spoken against the Vitality Project. It is absolutely mind-boggling that these two councilmen seem intent on pushing their views onto our citizens and onto the other council members. Apparently they have even violated one of only six protocols that they adopted last April!

Good citizens of MLT, there is nothing wrong with being a small town. We can beautify our city without the 10-story buildings proposed in this Vitality Project. We all know that bigger isn’t better and only have to look north and south to realize this. We need to elect a council that is representative of our citizens, not one that pushes development for the sake of the city’s pocket book or pleasing the developers and business owners, most of whom do not live in MLT anyway. Be sure to remember this at election time. Thankfully, that’s not too far away.

Kathy Peterson

Mountlake Terrace

Terrace council

Reprimand more than ‘slap on wrist’

Thank you for your informative article regarding the reprimands of MLT Mayor Jerry Smith and Councilman (John) Zambrano (Terrace reprimand for mayor, council, Jan. 26). It is truly amazing this council was not united in its decision for this reprimand, but fortunately the wiser votes prevailed.

I believe this reprimand represents more than a “slap on the wrist.” I believe this reprimand speaks to the credibility — or perhaps to the lack thereof — of these respected council members.

The citizens of our city have spoken against the Vitality Project. It is absolutely mind-boggling that these two councilmen seem intent on pushing their views onto our citizens and onto the other council members. Apparently they have even violated one of only six protocols that they adopted last April!

Good citizens of MLT, there is nothing wrong with being a small town. We can beautify our city without the 10-story buildings proposed in this Vitality Project. We all know that bigger isn’t better and only have to look north and south to realize this. We need to elect a council that is representative of our citizens, not one that pushes development for the sake of the city’s pocket book or pleasing the developers and business owners, most of whom do not live in MLT anyway. Be sure to remember this at election time. Thankfully, that’s not too far away.

Kathy Peterson

Mountlake Terrace

Protect-A-Pet

Thanks for making city pet friendly

On Jan. 20, Mill Creek became a friendlier place for 74 four-legged family members.

Those dogs and cats were implanted with a free identifying microchip at a very successful Protect-A-Pet event held at Mill Creek City Hall.

As a longtime dog owner, I know none of us ever expect to lose our special family member. But unfortunately it does happen. With the implanted microchip, we now have a better tool for getting lost pets back to their owners. We will also be able to keep our officers patrolling the streets rather than driving to the Everett Animal Shelter.

This event would not have been possible without contributions and support from Mill Creek businesses, staff and individual volunteers, as well as the residents who took time to license their pets and spend a Saturday afternoon at City Hall.

Those and other licensed and microchipped pets are much less likely to be lost or end up in the shelter. If they are picked up, our animal control officer will be able to read the pet’s identity and owner’s contact information. Those pets will be returned to the owner, rather than taken to the shelter. Their owners will avoid significant fines and shelter fees in the process.

I especially want to thank the sponsors, who made the event possible: AVID Microchip ID Systems for providing the microchips at cost; the Mill Creek Enterprise, Artis Photography, Peoples Bank and Paddywack, whose donations purchased the microchips; and Starbucks for providing refreshments for the volunteers. Dr. Michael Betts of the Mill Creek Veterinary Hospital and his staff implanted the chips, and Dr. Betts provided discounted rabies shots.

This event certainly would not have been successful without the efforts of our city manager, Steve Nolen, who enthusiastically supported, publicized and organized city staff. Thank you to all the staff who worked on the event, the wonderful Mill Creek Youth Board, and the other community volunteers.

Together they made the Protect-A-Pet event so successful. I look forward to a future event to protect even more of our four-legged friends.

Donna Michelson

Mayor, city of Mill Creek

Responsibility, not excuses

Everyone can help restore sense of hope

Having grown up in the turbulent ’60s and at an age where one is given the opportunity to exercise perfect hindsight vision, I’ve come to realize that true leadership is about creating a sense of hope. Unfortunately, few leaders emerge with the charisma or skills necessary to give those feeling excluded from life’s opportunities a sense of hope — hope that their tomorrow will be better than their today.

Leadership of hope is an attribute exhibited by a select few — Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, John Kennedy, Abe Lincoln. So rarely do such personalities emerge that anyone exhibiting such characteristics instantly becomes a darling to the press and (usually) rapidly fades under the scrutiny of fame.

Common to these leaders was their unique ability to replace the populace’s cynicism of government (and life) with the belief that tomorrow will be better! It is important not to overlook that included in these messages of hope was the theme of responsibility — a responsibility to participate; a responsibility to oneself and to others.

In today’s society we seem to be losing sight of the greatness of this country and its people. I say stand firm, take heart and become a positive part of your community. That’s the path for a better tomorrow. Teach responsibility, not excuses. Become a local leader of hope. Believe and work toward a better tomorrow and through your actions it will come.

Without a doubt we have had some remarkable leaders over the past 40 years. My hope is that once more in my lifetime I have the privilege to see greatness. As our elected leaders converge in Olympia and the race for the White House begins, seek leadership of hope. Demand it. Expect it. Respect it.

Ron Ledford

Marysville

Terrace council

Reprimand more than ‘slap on wrist’

Thank you for your informative article regarding the reprimands of MLT Mayor Jerry Smith and Councilman (John) Zambrano (Terrace reprimand for mayor, council, Jan. 26). It is truly amazing this council was not united in its decision for this reprimand, but fortunately the wiser votes prevailed.

I believe this reprimand represents more than a “slap on the wrist.” I believe this reprimand speaks to the credibility — or perhaps to the lack thereof — of these respected council members.

The citizens of our city have spoken against the Vitality Project. It is absolutely mind-boggling that these two councilmen seem intent on pushing their views onto our citizens and onto the other council members. Apparently they have even violated one of only six protocols that they adopted last April!

Good citizens of MLT, there is nothing wrong with being a small town. We can beautify our city without the 10-story buildings proposed in this Vitality Project. We all know that bigger isn’t better and only have to look north and south to realize this. We need to elect a council that is representative of our citizens, not one that pushes development for the sake of the city’s pocket book or pleasing the developers and business owners, most of whom do not live in MLT anyway. Be sure to remember this at election time. Thankfully, that’s not too far away.

Kathy Peterson

Mountlake Terrace

Responsibility, not excuses

Everyone can help restore sense of hope

Having grown up in the turbulent ’60s and at an age where one is given the opportunity to exercise perfect hindsight vision, I’ve come to realize that true leadership is about creating a sense of hope. Unfortunately, few leaders emerge with the charisma or skills necessary to give those feeling excluded from life’s opportunities a sense of hope — hope that their tomorrow will be better than their today.

Leadership of hope is an attribute exhibited by a select few — Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, John Kennedy, Abe Lincoln. So rarely do such personalities emerge that anyone exhibiting such characteristics instantly becomes a darling to the press and (usually) rapidly fades under the scrutiny of fame.

Common to these leaders was their unique ability to replace the populace’s cynicism of government (and life) with the belief that tomorrow will be better! It is important not to overlook that included in these messages of hope was the theme of responsibility — a responsibility to participate; a responsibility to oneself and to others.

In today’s society we seem to be losing sight of the greatness of this country and its people. I say stand firm, take heart and become a positive part of your community. That’s the path for a better tomorrow. Teach responsibility, not excuses. Become a local leader of hope. Believe and work toward a better tomorrow and through your actions it will come.

Without a doubt we have had some remarkable leaders over the past 40 years. My hope is that once more in my lifetime I have the privilege to see greatness. As our elected leaders converge in Olympia and the race for the White House begins, seek leadership of hope. Demand it. Expect it. Respect it.

Ron Ledford

Marysville

Schools

What results with the Shoreline laptops?

Any good scientist will never set up an experiment without understanding the kind of data that will be generated. If the type and quality of data obtained cannot be interpreted or understood, the experiment is a total waste of time, money and resources.

The laptop initiative has been variously called a roll-out, a continuation of a roll-out and other procedural titles that essentially say “experiment.” What is the data read-out of this experiment? Any soft science surveys that ask “Do you think it is good to continue to receive free personal computers?” probably will see general support amongst recipients. Just how useful is such biased data?

Are GPA’s statistically or significantly up this year at the four main schools? Is there a quantitative diminution of D’s and F’s amongst those 4,500 students? Do all teachers, when asked anonymously and free from any pressure from above, support how the laptop initiative was implemented? Are classroom dynamics and learning better by independent assessment? Is there a jump in the number of seniors being accepted to top-tier universities? Did last spring’s WASL scores (seventh grade) quantitatively soar? Will this year’s WASL scores (seventh and 10th grade) quantitatively soar? By the way, what is the true total number of laptops stolen already? Has there been a 20 or 30 percent increase in potential employers starting to scout seniors who are now great at PowerPoint even though their reading, writing and arithmetic may have suffered a tad?

For the tens upon tens of millions of dollars, is the experiment an unqualified success? What is the data read-out used to support that conclusion?

Raymond Koelling

Lake Forest Park