School Briefs

Input sought on changing math standards

The state’s proposed new math standards for kindergartners through 12th-graders have been clarified in a draft rewrite. Public comment is sought. Changes in math standards could mean changes for future textbooks and standardized tests.

The draft is the result of work by the Charles A. Dana Center, a consultant that’s helping the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or OSPI, make recommendations to the Legislature by the end of January.

The revision draft lists math-content priorities and what students have to know about reasoning, problem solving and communicating their work at each grade level.

In spring, the superintendent’s office aims to recommend textbooks that fit the new standards.

The full draft report and a feedback form are at www.utdanacenter.org/wamathrevision/standards.php.

The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 30.

Focus groups will be held in mid-January with math stakeholder groups to obtain feedback on a close-to-final draft. Washington educators will provide input at the OSPI January Conference in Spokane Jan. 29 through Jan. 31, 2008.

The deadline for presenting the final draft to the state Legislature is Jan. 31, 2008.

A Night in Paris at Shorewood

Locals can join the fun as the Shorewood Boosters present “A Night in Paris” March 8.

Donations are being sought for the event’s auction.

Attendees can wear their finest French fashion as they stroll through multiple rooms of auction items and bid in the live auction while eating and sipping fine wine. Proceeds benefit Shorewood High School students.

See the Shorewood High School Web site at http://schools.shorelineschools.org/shorewood/ and click on the “Booster” link on the right scroll bar or visit the Boosters Web site at http://sw-web.shorelineschools.org/~boosters/home.htm.

Donation forms are available on the Booster Web site, as are invites for those who want to attend.

Call 542-9391 or 542-2952 for information.

Help send Shorecrest students to Ireland

The Shorecrest Highlander Marching Band and Choir is selling tickets to a “Dublin Dollars Day Spa” event for $10 each to help fund their trip to Ireland.

Each ticket is good for a 45 minute facial and hand treatment, plus light refreshments and relaxing music.

The event will be held in early January. Buy tickets from band and choir students or see www.dublindollars.org for information.

Shorecrest students in competition

Shorecrest Video Students, advised by Trent Mitchell, have entered a national $5,000 school spirit video competition. Students, parents, and community members can help by viewing the video at http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/SignUps/2007SpiritChallenge.mxp and then voting for Shorecrest, which will require a short registration on maxpreps.com. The spirit video with the most votes will take home $5,000.

Senior Robben Van Winkle spent over 20 hours editing footage from assemblies, sporting events, homecoming class challenges and performances. He was assisted by other students in the Video 2 and Leadership classes who recorded dozens of hours of footage that was then edited down to the final three minute video.