Stories for Steilacoom SD
Pioneer Wish Week a Huge Success!
Posted by | CommentsThe annual Winter Wish Week at Pioneer was celebrated in a culminating assembly on Friday, December 16, 2011. Along with performances by the bands and choirs, the student body presented Diane Formosa of Caring for Kids a huge sleigh (worthy of Santa) full of hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, pajamas, and toys. Staff members competed for the “honor” of performing at the assembly by collecting coins in jars on their desks for a week. Well over $500.00 was collected and given to Diane also. The staff was well represented by Spiderman, a father/son tossing duo and a well choreographed screaming contest! The student body was surprised when “the Grinch” showed up and stole all the presents that were under the tree but he did return the gifts and they were given out as special wishes.
It's Winter Wish Week at Pioneer!
Posted by | CommentsPioneer students and staff will be participating in Winter Wish Week next week, December 12-16. Each person was given the opportunity to request a winter wish – either for themselves or for another person – and the student council committee members have reviewed them all and collecting items from community members/parents/businesses to try and fill as many wishes as possible.
Pioneer Roboteers Take First Place
Posted by | CommentsThe Pioneer Middle School Robotics Team, the Pioneer Roboteers, took two first-place awards during a competition this past weekend, qualifying the team for the state competitions in January. This was the first year that Pioneer had a team enter the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) competition. The weekend’s qualifying regional tournament, with 20 area teams competing, was held at Jefferson Middle School in Olympia.
Chat with the Steilacoom School District Superintendent
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District #1’s Superintendent Bill Fritz will host his third community conversation on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant-generated topics, will take place in the Saltar’s Point Elementary Library starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. Any student, parent, or citizen who wants to discuss district issues or learn more about our schools is invited to attend.
Chat with the Steilacoom School District Superintendent
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District #1 Superintendent Bill Fritz will host his third community conversation on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant-generated topics, will take place in the Saltar’s Point Elementary Library starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. Any student, parent, or citizen who wants to discuss district issues or learn more about our schools is invited to attend.
Jeni Martinez honored for service on Steilacoom School Board
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(L-R) Don Denning, Kevin Callahan, Superintendent Bill Fritz, Jeni Martinez, Mike Winkler, Sam Scott
Jeni Martinez "retired" from the board and was honored at the Wednesday, Nov 30 meeting for her four years of service .
Steilacoom Historical School District recognizes Jeni Martinez
Posted by | CommentsAt the November 30 regularly scheduled meeting of the Steilacoom Historical School District Board of Directors, Ms. Jeni Martinez will be recognized for her four years of volunteer service as a Board member. Since Ms. Martinez did not run for re-election, this will be her final meeting as a member of the Board. “Ms. Martinez’s dedicated work on behalf of the Board and the citizens throughout the district will truly be missed,” stated Board Chair Mike Winkler. Noteworthy was her leadership in ensuring that the District wide Core Values were developed by a committee made up of community stakeholders. Mike Winkler also shared that as the District’s Legislative Representative, Ms. Martinez often daily tracked funding issues during the last two legislative sessions, advocating for the needs of our children’s education. “Director Martinez, during her term, has provided strong support for citizen voice and student learning. She will be missed.” says Superintendent Bill Fritz. This Wednesday’s Board meeting will be held at 7:00 pm in the Steilacoom High School Library, 54 Sentinel Drive, Steilacoom, WA. Ms. Martinez’s recognition will be early in the agenda, followed by a short reception. Once the meeting resumes, Ms. Yoshie Wong will be sworn in and welcomed as the newest member of the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Sam Scott will be sworn in for his third term on the Board.
SHS Students Actively Involved in the Red Ribbon Bazaar
Posted by | CommentsThe Red Ribbon Bazaar at Steilacoom High School is just over 2 weeks away but the students are getting ready. The Key Club members are planning the children’s activity area that will include a Santa for photos and kid friendly crafts. Choir members from Pioneer Middle School will be performing first thing in the morning, followed by the Steilacoom High School Choir.
Chat with the Steilacoom School District Superintendent
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District #1’s Superintendent Bill Fritz will host his second community conversation on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant- generated topics, will take place in the Chloe Clark Library starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. Any student, parent, or citizen who wants to discuss district issues or learn more about our schools is invited to attend.
"I want to meet regularly with citizens to discuss matters that are important to our students, district patrons and community members," said Superintendent Fritz.
The first "chat”, held in August, was well attended and covered topics including transportation, educational improvement and school lunches. In December, the session will move to the Saltar’s Point Elementary Library in Steilacoom. For questions or additional information, please call 253.983.2200.
Recommendation to Hire Executive Director of Finance & Operations
Posted by | CommentsBy Celeste Johnston, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Steilacoom Historical School District #1 Superintendent Bill Fritz will be making a recommendation to the Board of Directors of the hiring of LeeRae Ball for the position of Executive Director for Finance & Operations. The Board will consider the recommendation at its regulary scheduled board meeting on September 28, 201l. Ms. Ball is currently serving as the Business Manager for the Oakville School District in Gray's Harbor County, where she has held the position since July 2006. She previously worked for the Onlaska School District in the same capacity and as a fiscal coordinator for Educational Service District 113. She has also served in the Finance Department for the City of Centralia for approximately a decade. "She is a skilled financial manager who does quality work engaging with both the schools and the community at-large," says Superintendent Fritz.
SHSD Community Forum
Posted by | CommentsBy Celeste Johnston, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Steilacoom Historical School District will be hosting a community forum on Monday, September 26, 2011, from 5-6 pm, in the Steilacoom High School Theatre. The public is welcome to meet and ask questions of the two finalist candidates for the position of Executive Director of Finance & Operations. This position oversees the Business Office, Capital Projects and Maintenance Department and contracted Transportation and Food Service Operations. Steilacoom High Schoool is located at 54 Sentinel Drive, Steilacoom, WA 98388.
Steilacoom school superintendent meets with parents
Posted by | CommentsBy Nancy Covert
In the first of a series of informal meetings with community members, Mr. Bill Fritz, Superintendent of Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1, answered parents’ concerns about the upcoming school year.
Approximately 35 parents, accompanied by a few children, asked Mr. Fritz about changes in a variety of areas at the Aug. 18 gathering, where they learned about a one-time all-day kindergarten option at Cherrydale (registration is now available at the school effective 8/18 for parents of kindergartners), busing matters, early dismissal times, and the district’s plans to raise test scores.
Cherrydale’s new principal Nancy McClure also spoke with parents that evening.
For the 2011-12 year only, Mr. Fritz said that Cherrydale would offer a combined Kindergarten-First Grade class session to students.
A commitment to education, “is my passion,” he told listeners, as he spoke about plans on a variety of topics, including:
- Early dismissal times each month (at all levels, Mr. Fritz said) to give educators after-school hours to review and improve their teaching skills.
- Finding ways to help teachers become more effective in their teaching techniques is a major focus of those meetings.
- Also improved communications between bus drivers and principals to deal with student-related behavior issues.
Parents’ concerns about holiday celebrations, homework, school orientation and open house events, along with children’s safety in traveling to and from school, and requiring students who live within a mile of a school to walk rather than being bused also were discussed during this informal neighborhood evening gathering.
Mr. Fritz plans to host similar meetings throughout the year at district schools. A schedule is posted on the district’s website.
“Just give me a call, or stop by the district office,” he said, emphasizing his willingness to meet with parents anytime.
Note: the next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Chloe Clark Elementary in DuPont/NW Landing. The December meeting, at a time yet to be determined, will be held at Saltar’s Point Elementary.
'Chat with the [Steilacoom] Superintendent'
Posted by | CommentsBy John Cohen, District Communications Director
Steilacoom Historical School District #1's Superintendent Bill Fritz will host the first "Chat with the Superintendent" community conversation on Thursday, August 18. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant-generated topics, will take place in the Cherrydale Primary School multipurpose room starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. “I want to meet every other month with citizens to discuss matters that are important to our students, district patrons and community members,” said Superintendent Fritz. The second session is slated for the Chloe Clark Elementary Library on October 19 also at 6:30 p.m. In December the session will move to Saltar’s Point Elementary Library in Steilacoom. For questions or additional information, please call 253.983.2200.
Steilacoom Key Bank collecting school supplies
Posted by | CommentsThe folks at Steilacoom Key Bank, located on 1615 Lafayette St. are collecting school supplies for all of Steilacoom schools for the month of August. Following is a list of school supplies needed. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Cheryl Cannon at 253-582-0900. All donations are very much appreciated.
Chat with the Superintendent
Posted by | CommentsBy John Cohen, District Communications Director
Steilacoom Historical School District #1's Superintendent Bill Fritz will host the first "Chat with the Superintendent" community conversation on Thursday, August 18. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant-generated topics, will take place in the Cherrydale Primary School multipurpose room starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. “I want to meet every other month with citizens to discuss matters that are important to our students, district patrons and community members,” said Superintendent Fritz. The second session is slated for the Chloe Clark Elementary Library on October 19 also at 6:30 p.m. In December the session will move to Saltar’s Point Elementary Library in Steilacoom. For questions or additional information, please call 253.983.2200.
Steilacoom's Community Connections
Posted by | CommentsNewsletter from the Steilacoom Superintendent's office
"Chat with the Superintendent" Superintendent Fritz will host the first "Chat with the Superintendent" community conversation on Thursday, August 18. This informal discussion session, covering a wide range of participant- generated topics, will take place in the Cherrydale Primary School multipurpose room starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. The second session is slated for the Chloe Clark Elementary Library on October 19 also at 6:30 p.m. In December the session will move to Saltar’s Point Elementary Library in Steilacoom.
SHSD institutes new student transportation plan
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By John Cohen, District Communications Director
In the State of Washington budget, a stipulation has been established concerning student transportation in school districts. In this initiative, all districts are required to review added cost savings and efficiencies for their student transportation systems. Based on Board policy, a committee of citizens and school personnel has been formed to review the areas around each school and identify "safe walking routes.” Beginning in April, 2011, the committee for Steilacoom Historical School District #1 met on multiple occasions to examine district bus routes and student pick-up points along them as well as safe walking routes.
