2014 spring everett schools

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Winter 2015 Our students will lead and shape the future. Let’s talk. We’re listening! (see pages 6 and 7) Students help Ugandan students, pg. 2 Silver Lake Elementary is School of Distinction, pg. 3 Principal, Board of the Year, pg. 4 Elected officials gather to talk schools, pg. 5 Cascade automotive students sweep skills competition, pg. 8 Try your hand at new student tests, pgs. 9 and 11 Cracking the code, pg. 10 Celebration of Innovation, pg. 12

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Page 1: 2014 spring everett schools

Everett SchoolsWinter 2015Our students will lead and shape the future.

Let’s talk.

We’re listening! (see pages 6 and 7)

Students help Ugandan students, pg. 2Silver Lake Elementary is School of Distinction, pg. 3Principal, Board of the Year, pg. 4 Elected officials gather to talk schools, pg. 5

Cascade automotive students sweep skills competition, pg. 8 Try your hand at new student tests, pgs. 9 and 11Cracking the code, pg. 10

Celebration of Innovation, pg. 12

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Students help students in Uganda

The day before Thanksgiving, Forest View Elementary School students watched school supplies they collected and packed being loaded onto trucks – starting the first leg of a trip to students in Uganda. Forest View students worked with Sister Schools, to help and connect with students on the other side of the world. This community outreach project aligns with Forest View’s school vision that students be active, global citizens.

As they waved goodbye to the supplies, Forest View students posed for photos to be shared with students in Uganda. When the Sister Schools team returns in June, they will bring back pictures of the Ugandan students who received the supplies.

During the kick-off assembly, students learned what school is like in Uganda. Some Ugandan students stay home because they can’t afford pencils. Families pay fees to attend school; if they can’t pay the fees, the children can’t attend school.

“Students were amazed to find out how every single donation was useful to a child or family in Uganda. Every student left the assembly with a specific way they could help,” said Principal Holly Martinez.

“Our students were sad to think children their own age were barred from school just because they didn’t have supplies or clothes. This was a deep lesson for them about helping others and about being thankful for the benefits we enjoy in this country and for free public school,” said Martinez.

Forest View Elementary gathers supplies for sister school

Boxes and boxes of donated supplies about to be loaded into trucks at Forest View Elementary. This spring Sister Schools will come back with pictures like these from other schools, but showing Forest View donors and recipient pairs. Learn more at www.sisterschools.org.

Do you know someone in the class of 2019?

This year’s eighth-grade students will graduate in 2019. The class of 2019 is the first class that must meet the state’s new 24-credit high school graduation requirement.

Learn more during this spring’s middle-to-high-school transition meetings and on the district website at www.everettsd.org/Page/17653.

Starting in 2019, students need 24 credits to graduate

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Schools that show consistent improvement trends over a long period catch the attention of groups looking for exceptional educational practices. Some of those schools earn the title School of Distinction from the Center for Educational Effectiveness. Silver Lake is one of only 101 schools in the state to meet the criteria for the 2014 award.

This is Silver Lake’s fifth year as a School of Distinction. The school has been among the state’s top five percent of continuously improving elementary schools since 2010.

“Achieving that improvement level for five years is very difficult. That sustained track record means the students, their families, the staff and the school system are in sync with quality instruction, high expectations and high support,” notes Superintendent Gary Cohn.

Four out of 10 students at Silver Lake qualify for free or reduced lunch. One out of ten speaks a language other than English. “Students living in poverty and coming to school without English language skills face special challenges that could interfere with learning,” explains Dr. Molly Ringo, the district’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the central region. “Silver Lake is an example of a learning community with a growth mindset. School staff and families work collaboratively to meet the learning needs of each child.”

Other schools in the district have earned a School of Distinction award and other state awards 75 times since 2005. http://bit.ly/EPS_TopHonors

Silver Lake Elementary is School of DistinctionSince 2010, among state’s top continuously improving elementary schools

In November, Silver Lake staff and school board celebrated the 2014 award.

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Principal of the YearBeing recognized by one’s peers is the ultimate honor. Sequoia High School Principal Kelly Shepherd says she is surprised and humbled by “those I admire so much and from whom I have learned so much suggesting me for this honor.”

For the last four years, Shepherd has led programs at Sequoia High School. Sequoia hosts the district’s alternative high school and the Port Gardner Parent Partnership.

Teachers, fellow principals and community leaders spoke of Shepherd’s educational leadership, community commitment and community connections, her focus on what’s best for students and her example as a continuous learner and collaborator.

Each year, the Association of Washington School Principals launches its Principal of the Year selection with regional nominations. The top principals from each region move into contention for consideration at the state level; state level principals then move on for consideration as a National Principal of the Year. In the spring an elementary, middle and high school principal is honored as the nation’s best.

Board of the YearThe district’s Board of Directors earned two separate honors in November - Board of Distinction and Board of the Year for 2014.

When learning of both awards, President Pam LeSesne was quick to credit a long line of past school board members for decades of leadership and vision making the 2014 awards possible.

Board of the Year is the highest honor bestowed by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA). Boards of the Year are chosen from three district size-categories. Everett Public Schools shares the 2014 Board of the Year honor with Union Gap and University Place school districts.

The board’s award-winning nomination is published online at http://bit.ly/EPSboard_app.

Top honors for top notch work and commitment

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Elected officials gather to talk about schools

Each year, before the legislative session begins, the school board visits with legislators about legislative action necessary to continue improving student learning.

This year, the board decided to hold that annual meeting in a different way. The legislative meeting became one of the board’s Community Conversations, and it included more than just state legislators. Those parents and community members who came to North Middle School in December had a unique opportunity to visit with more than a dozen elected representatives whose decisions impact students.

As Board President Pam LeSesne explained, “The decisions we make as elected officials are not isolated. School decisions have an impact on communities. City and county decisions impact the families of students in schools. State legislative decisions either support or inhibit the way we are able to educate community children. We need to be talking about our common goals and common challenges and to work together to leverage our resources.”

Board’s Community Conversations draw committed representatives

Governor’s Office Legislators City and County

Lacey Harper, NW Regional Representative

Economic Alliance Snohomish County Troy McClellend, President and CEO

Students Joseph Jackson, Sequoia High Scott Pease, Cascade High Robi Ramos, Cascade High Trever Tuck, Everett High Mitchell Weholt, Henry M. Jackson High

John McCoy, Senator, 38th District

Rosemary McAuliffe, Senator, 1st District

June Robinson, Representative, 38th District

Mike Sells, Representative, 38th District

Hans Dunshee, Representative, 44th District

Ray Stephanson, Mayor, City of Everett

John Lovick, County Executive, Snohomish County

County Council Brian Sullivan, Vice Chair Ken Klein

City Council of Everett Scott Bader, Vice President Paul Roberts Judy Tuohy

Rosemary McAuliffe, Senator from 1st District, was among those available to visit with parents and community members on Dec. 2.

You can join the conversation launching in January. See pages 6 and 7 to learn how.

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I wish I understood how to help my son with his

math homework.

I love my robotics club!I have good ideas for

community involvement projects for kids.

Let’s talk.

Let’s Talk - in three phases.

1. January 17-27, online conversation begins with YOUR comments going to a company called Thoughtexchange.

2. Early February, Thoughtexchange invites you back online to see YOUR comments and others’. You put virtual “stars” on comments you agree with or like.

3. Early March, Thoughtexchange website shows what people spoke about most often and agreed about most often for the district and each school.

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Share your thoughts and see what others are saying.

1. Go to http://bit.ly/EPS_Texchange

OR

2. Scan the QR code to the right

Let’s Talk again! Next conversation runs April through June and another starts again in September.

I want to talk about what my future staff will need to know when

they work here.I have great ideas

for getting parents involved and to help ease overcrowding in

our schools.

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Cascade automotive team outscores 10 othersStudents finish with near-perfect scores, 1st place, prizes and scholarships

Deven Fisher and Derek Saxon, two Cascade High School automotive students, took first place in the December Universal Technical Institute’s Skills Competition.

Ten Puget Sound high school automotive teams pit their skills against each other. The Cascade team outshone them all with near perfect scores.

“Students, working in teams of two, demonstrated their skills diagnosing, repairing and describing various automotive systems at six different automotive stations,” explained Peter Smith, Cascade High School automotive instructor.

Relishing the nearly flawless way Deven and Derek moved confidently through the stations, Smith said, “I couldn’t be more proud of these two students.”

The boys did more than just bring home first place; each also earned a $1,000 scholarship to the Universal Technical Institute campus of his choice. Cascade High School’s auto shop also benefitted from the boys’ win. Deven and Derek and others in the class now have an extra $2,000 worth of Snap On hand tools and a $5,000 custom Snap On tool chest to use on the next sputtering engine gimping into the school shop.

Deven Fisher, Peter Smith and Derek Saxon pose with Don Richards, the Universal Technical Institute’s representative, after winning the automotive skills competition.

Six skills stations:

• Brakes

• Electrical diagnosis

• Computer diagnosis

• Spark plug replacement

• Automotive parts identification

• Certification test

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Unraveling and connecting the acronyms:CCSS as measured by SBAC, with accountability according to TPEP

Yikes! Let’s unravel the acronyms, learn their connection to student learning – and give YOU a trial seventh-grade math test!

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are consistent skill levels and learning every child in every Washington school is expected to achieve. Students take SBAC tests on those skills in spring 2015.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), often shortened to “Smarter Balanced,” are online English and math tests students will take this spring. SBAC measures how well students are learning in English language arts and math based on standards set by CCSS.

Teacher Principal Evaluation Project (TPEP) is the tool teachers and principals use to evaluate their professional skills and students’ success, including progress toward CCSS.

1. Scott’s soup recipe for 4 servings has 3 carrots and 2 celery sticks.

a. What is the ratio of carrots to celery sticks?

b. How many carrots and celery sticks does Scott need for 8 servings?

2. The spinner has 8 equal-sized sections, each labeled 1, 2, 3 or 4. The arrow on the spinner is spun. Is the probability of the arrow stopping on a section labeled with a 2 greater or less than 1/3?

3. Tim makes 80 gallons of paint by mixing 48 gallons of gray paint with 32 gallons of white paint.

What part of every gallon is gray paint?

The model represents 1 gallon of mixed paint. Select the bars to show how much of the gallon is gray paint.

Try your hand at 7th-grade SBAC math test questionsThe online tests begin with simple questions that become more difficult, depending upon each student’s answers.

Answers:

1. 3:2 and 6 carrots and 4 celery sticks 2. greater than 1/3 3. 0.6 gallon of gray paint

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Cracking the codeStudents learn code as part of national technology education initiative

Eisenhower Middle School students give thumbs up to coding activities.

December’s Hour of Code involved students of all ages, including those at Penny Creek Elementary using Chrome Books. They’ll use these computers to take this spring’s Smarter Balanced tests. (see pages 9 and 11)

Everett High School robotics students

“Simply being able to use technology is no longer enough. Today’s students need to be able to use technology to analyze, learn and explore. Digital age skills are vital for preparing students to work, live and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities.” International Society for Technology in Education

“Every student in this country should learn how

to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.”

— Steve Jobs Computer science is a top paying college degree, and computer programming jobs are growing at 2X the national average. (www.code.org)

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More about SBAC (continued from page 9) and practice tests

On page 9, you tackled sample seventh-grade math questions. Now try parts of a sample sixth-grade English language arts question. Remember, these are online tests, taken on Chrome Books.

Before answering any questions, students read three online articles about robots:

1. Meet the Robots by Lucas Langley2. Robots that Play Well with Others by Lisa

Langston3. When the Car is the Driver by Steve Henn Students take notes online or on scratch paper and can refer to the articles during the test.

Task A By paraphrasing the information and avoiding plagiarism, explain what Source #1 and Source #3 say about how robots can save lives. Sixth-grade written responses to this task are scored based upon how thoroughly students analyze the information, how thoroughly they write the information in their own words. Students earn 2 points for doing that “at standard,” or 0-1 point for not meeting standard.

Task B Click on the boxes to show the claim(s) that each source supports. Some sources will have more than one box selected.

Task C Students review their notes and sources, then plan, draft, revise and edit a story based upon the following scenario:

“Your technology club is ready to launch its website. Your English teacher makes the club website an English class project. You are assigned to write a story about what happens when you get your own robot.

“You have your new robot. You are excited to press the button and turn it on. Write a story about what happens when you do. Use information and details from the sources to improve your story. Develop your character(s), the setting, and the plot, using details, dialogue, and description.”

Student scores are based upon organization and purpose, development, elaboration and conventions – all English language arts concepts in CCSS considered “at standard” for sixth grade.

Learn more about SBAC Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Port Gardner room of the Community Resource Center, 3900 Broadway, Everett or online at www.everettsd.org/Page/16044.

#1 #2 #3

Robots are more reliable because they don’t get tired.

Robots could serve as a substitute pet when a person has an allergy to animals.

Robots often save time and energy.

Robotics in art (below) — Third-grader Aubrey of Lowell Elementary School created a street cleaning robot.

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PO BOX 2098EVERETT, WA 98213

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carol Andrews

Pam LeSesne

Caroline Mason

Traci Mitchell

Ted Wenta

SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Gary Cohn

COMMUNICATIONS

Mary Waggoner, Director, writer, photographer

Diane Bradford, Executive Staff Assistant, designer, writer, photographer

Linda Carbajal, Administrative Assistant, writer, photographer, volunteers

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Designated to handle inquiries about nondiscrimination policies are:

Affirmative Action Office – Carol Stolz, [email protected], 425-385-4106

Title IX Officer – Randi Seaberg, [email protected], 425-385-4104

504 Coordinator – Becky Ballbach, [email protected], 425-385-4063

ADA Coordinator – Kristine McDowell, [email protected], 425-385-5250

Address: PO Box 2098, Everett, WA 98213

ECRWSSPostal Customer

NONPROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE PAID

EVERETT, WAPERMIT NO. 432

You may be able to substitute teach in Everett Public Schools.For more information visit www.everettsd.org/jobs.

Join students for the annual Celebration of Innovation at Cascade High School. Students will showcase examples of gaining insight and solving problems through technology, and teachers using technology to enhance instruction.