School Briefs

Published 5:28 pm Friday, December 14, 2007

Used toy sale helps out PAWS

One child’s rejected Barbie clothes are another child’s treasure, students at Mountlake Terrace Elementary discovered this month.

Third-grade teacher Dan Novak came up with the idea of setting up a store at school where students could sell their unwanted toys to other students for $1 or less to raise money for PAWS, the animal care organization. His class, with Cathy Johannes’ third grade class, participated.

Students, guided by letters to parents, went home and rifled through their unwanted toys.

Students brought in everything from Barbie clothes to Matchbox cars. Weapons and war-related toys were not allowed.

The students sorted the toys into 25 cent, 50 cent, 75 cent and $1 piles. Then they wrote announcements and made posters to get the word out. They went into other classrooms to talk to students about the sale, which was Dec. 3 through Dec. 6 during lunch and recess time.

The classes raised over $225 for PAWS.

Gift wrapping benefits MDHS

The Meadowdale Music Boosters Club will have its annual gift wrapping fundraiser Dec. 15-24 at the main-door entrance of the Lynnwood Fred Meyer store.

On weekends, boosters will be at the store from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Dec. 17-21, they will be there from 3-9 p.m.

The event benefits all the music groups at Meadowdale: choral, orchestra, band and jazz groups. Money raised will be earmarked for financial scholarships for students as well as travel expenses to upcoming regional competitions.

Donations may be tax deductible. For more information about the school’s musicians, see www.meadowdalemusic.org.

EdCC students will study in Ireland

Edmonds Community College’s Global Business Research class will travel to Ireland and England spring quarter with a nine-day trip planned in May.

The Management 255 class is part of the college’s business management program and may be taken as an elective as part of a two-year business degree. Instructor Marie Johnson prepares students for the trip and introduces them to history, business practices, culture and the political environment as they travel.

This past spring, six students traveled to Japan.

The trip to England and Ireland will cost about $3,000 in addition to tuition. Students must pay their own costs or raise funds through donations. The course meets Tuesdays 12:30-2:30 p.m. spring quarter, April 7 through June 20.

Those who can’t make the trip may still take the class. All students will learn about international trade, its impact on United States markets and the importance of diversity in global business strategy.

District wins apprenticeship grant

The Edmonds School District has won a $40,000 grant to expand and encourage pre-apprenticeship programs at the high-school level. This is the second year the state Legislature has given money for pre-apprenticeship opportunities.

In these “Running Start for the Trades” programs, high schools work closely with local apprenticeship programs to prepare students to enter apprenticeships immediately after graduation.

Edmonds was one of 14 districts to receive a grant.