Stories for Schools
Same sex marriage bill: Forum to discuss the effects for the people of Washington
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On Feb. 1, the Washington State Senate passed a bill to make same-sex marriage legal in Washington. The measure now moves to the House, where supporters say they have the votes to pass it as early as next week. From there, Gov. Chris Gregoire has promised to sign it, making Washington the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage.
But what does it mean to the citizens of the state? Some interesting consequences are tied to the measure.
A panel hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and the Diversity Resource Center will consider the consequences of making same-sex marriage legal in Washington at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 in William Philip Hall on the UW Tacoma campus. Read More→
CP Rotary brings Snow White production to Southgate
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The cast of Snow White prior to a performance at the Lakewood Playhouse.
Southgate Elementary School students brought the magic of the classic children’s story, Snow White to life for their classmates, teachers and families, thanks to contributions by the Lakewood Playhouse and the Clover Park Rotary.
Beginning last fall, staff from the Playhouse tutored Southgate students in acting exercises. Once the basics were mastered, more than 175 students auditioned for 25 parts. Students performed two productions of Snow White at Southgate Jan. 27 and two additional community productions Jan. 28 at the Lakewood Playhouse.
“This opportunity gives our students confidence and widens their horizons,” said Becky Condra, reading interventionist. “Our students worked extremely hard to memorize their lines and ‘become’ their characters. I was absolutely amazed at how well they performed.”
The collaboration was born from an idea by Rotarian Ernie Heller, and started last school year with a production of Peter Pan. The Clover Park Rotary contributed funds to pay theatre staff and to purchase costumes and props.
Community steps up to help students with tuition
Posted by | CommentsAround 130 supporters of the University of Washington Tacoma attended a fundraising breakfast this morning on the university campus to help students meet the gap between what they can pay and what it costs to attend the university this year.
Friends of the University of Washington Tacoma, including community members, staff, faculty, retirees and alumni, have raised $350,159 so far for a new fund drive called Step Up Scholarships.
UW Tacoma is matching contributions to the Step Up Scholarships at 50 cents on the dollar, bringing the total thus far to more than $525,000. The goal is to raise $1 million all together by April 13, when tuition is due for spring quarter.
“Students are being asked to shoulder more of the cost of attending the university, and we want to help them as much as we can,” said UW Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman. “We have made remarkable progress in a short time, but we still have a ways to go. We need to raise another $316,000 from the community in two and a half months.”
UW- Tacoma Russell T. Joy Building Receives LEED Platinum Certification
Posted by | CommentsThe Green Building Certification Institute has awarded LEED Platinum certification to the University of Washington Tacoma’s Russell T. Joy Building.
The Joy Building, renovated by Korsmo Construction, is the first in Tacoma and first on any University of Washington campus to achieve a Platinum rating in the "new construction / major remodel" category and only the second state-funded building to receive this recognition. Platinum certification is the highest possible, and most rigorous certification in the LEED system.
Fourth-graders put cooking skills to the test
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Carole Jacobs, judge and board member, and Lynn Wilson, judge and administrator for business services and capital projects, sample tasty delights at the Kids Can Cook event.
Eighteen fourth-graders took over the district kitchen Jan. 25 for the fifth annual Kids Can Cook Competition, sponsored by Sodexo.
Students from Beachwood, Clarkmoor, Dower, Evergreen, Greenwood, Hillside, Idlewild, Lake Louise, Park Lodge and Tillicum Elementary Schools prepared unique recipes with the guidance of a student nutrition employee. The student chefs were responsible for their finished food products, including plate and table presentation.
A panel of judges tasted each recipe and had the difficult task of selecting just five winners in the following categories:
- Health-Conscious Foods: Kylee Kennedy, Greenwood, Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
- Kid-Friendly Preparation: Hope Heugel, Hillside, No-Bake Trail Mix Cookies
- Fun Foods: Kamyla McCormick, Evergreen, Fruity Croissant
- Best Table Presentation: Ryan Wynder, Evergreen, Ryan's Mystery
- Judge's Choice: Elijah Barragan, Evergreen, Pizza (Meat or Veggie)
Clover Park School Board Schedules Retreat
Posted by | CommentsThe Clover Park School District Board of Directors has scheduled a retreat for Saturday, Feb. 4. The retreat will be held in the board room of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, 13204 Country Club Drive SW, in Lakewood and begins at 8 a.m. and will conclude at 3:45 p.m.
Topics for the retreat include leadership profiles and board development; standard operating procedures; board travel and attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.; accountability plan outcomes; the board meeting and reports schedule; and discussion of Policy 3110, Age at Entrance.
For more information, contact the superintendent’s office at (253) 583-5190.
National truck driving organization recertifies Bates program
Posted by | CommentsThis month, the Professional Truck Driver Institute granted Bates Technical College’s Commercial Truck Driving-Entry Level program recertification.
PTDI certification, valid for five years, means the career education program meets or exceeds industry standards. The certification also helps ensure graduates are adequately qualified to safely handle the demands of the truck driving profession.
William Balcom, program manager for the Washington State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Division, said, “Students who complete the truck driving course from Bates Technical College are well taught and prepared drivers,” he said. “The course sets the standard and exceeds state training requirements in order for a new truck driver to receive his/her commercial driver’s license.”
Giddy Up on Over to the Lakewood Chamber Chili Cook-Off!
Posted by | CommentsIf you’ve participated in the past, you know what a great time it is! If this is your first time … prepare yourself for an awesome gastronomical experience! Attendance has grown exponentially over the years and cook-off contestants continue to raise the bar with their offerings in this fierce competition! Thirteen competitors are hoping to have bragging rights for a year ~ in hopes of dethroning last year’s winner, Brink & Sadler, CPA’s.
YOU ARE THE JUDGE! Everyone attending the luncheon will be provided with their own ballot to select their favorite chili. Highest scorers will take home a first place and second place trophy!
Love Struck, A Select Wedding Show is Feb. 17 & 18
Posted by | CommentsFrom the producers of the South Sound and West Sound Wedding shows, comes Love Struck; an exclusive boutique wedding show featuring premier wedding professionals for the Puget Sound region.
The show is Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McGavick Event Center. The show is presented by South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine, a local resource guide for the South Puget Sound.
Clover Park Technical College Foundation receives gift from the Muckleshoot Tribe
Posted by | CommentsThe Muckleshoot Tribe has awarded a $5,000 gift to Clover Park Technical College Foundation. The money will be used to continue to build our Emergency Assistance Endowment.
“We are grateful for the Muckleshoot Tribe’s donation,” said Dr. Debbie Ranniger, Executive Director. “The money will be used to fund our emergency assistance endowment – a fund that helps students stay in school by offering critical and timely assistance.”
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has long understood the importance of being proactive in meeting the needs of its community. The Muckleshoot Charity Fund has placed high priority in awarding grants to organizations throughout the region that address the unique local and regional issues facing the population.
Harrison Prep deemed International Baccalaureate World School
Posted by | CommentsOn Jan 9, 2012, after three years of preparation and planning, Clover Park School District's Harrison Preparatory School received its official authorization as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Middle Years Program (MYP) to sixth- through 10th-graders (students 11 to 16-years-old).
“I am thrilled we have finally been authorized as an IB World School,” said Lisa Boyd, principal. “The Middle Years Program introduces our middle school students to rigorous international standards and allows our staff to have access to an international community of teachers and resources.”
The chili cook-off starts at 11;30 a.m. at the McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. Tickets are $20 prepaid and $30 at the door. Proceeds go to the Business Students of the Year Scholarship Fund and an additional scholarship for military dependents only. Call (253) 582-9400 to RSVP.
Everyone gets to be a judge!
You can go to http://www.lakewood-chamber.com/pay_online to prepay for best price of $20!
Special thanks to Jaimie Garrett, Cobalt Mortgage and Adam's DJ Service
Steilacoom Historical School District announces make-up days
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District announced the make-up schedule for the four days missed due to inclement weather. Two snow makeup school days were built into the 2011-12 school calendar. January 17 will be made up on March 23 and January 18 will be made up on May 25, 2012. January 19 will be made up on June 15 and January 20 on June 18, 2012. June 18 will be an early release half day.
AD: St. Frances Cabrini open house
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Public survey on qualifications for Steilacoom High principal
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District is seeking public input to assist the district in the search for a Principal for Steilacoom High School. Your input will be a critical component of the screening team’s deliberation and Superintendent’s final recommendation.
It is the District’s intention to seek the best balance between work experiences, education and preparation, personal qualities, role expectations of the principal, and the ability to respond to the community’s educational needs.
The results of the survey will be compiled and individual responses will be confidential. Input will be accepted until January 31, 2012.
TCC Alumnus Chi Choi honored at “Transforming Lives” event
Posted by | CommentsTacoma Community College alumnus Chi Choi was one of five students and former students selected to receive the "Transforming Lives" award from Washington’s Trustee Association for Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC). TACTC chose the five students, including Choi, from 34 students nominated by the Washington community and technical colleges. Choi and his fellow award recipients were presented with a $500 prize at the TACTC’s Winter Conference dinner in Olympia Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. The five award recipients are also featured in a video, currently in production.
Choi is currently employed as a design engineer at Genie Industries in Moses Lake, WA. He was nominated for the award by the TCC Board of Trustees.
Lakes’ Banner to announce commitment; Lakes players to sign letters of intent
Posted by | CommentsCedric Dozier, a 5-foot-11, 175 lb. quarterback, receiver and defensive back, may also make an official announcement during this time.
On National Signing Day—Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. in the PAC—five Lakes football players (Zach Banner, Cedric Dozier, Mane Manaea, Levonte Littlejohn, Charles Hall, and Zaheer Webb) will sign letters of intent.
