The campus of Pacific Lutheran University was bustling with students eagerly moving from competition to competition as part of the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Day. The annual event brings together students from the Puget Sound region to participate in educational contests against their peers. Clover Park School District was represented by students from Clover Park and Lakes High Schools and Hudtloff and Woodbrook Middle Schools.

(more...)

Woodbrook students are judged on their obstacle course design. From left: Nate Harley, Stephen Lemaster, Autumn Gittenger, Cora Tucker and Jonathon Clark.

By Jayme Taylor, Clover Park School District

Members of the Hudtloff Middle School Hudbots and the Woodbrook Middle School Wildcats Robotics Club participated in the First Lego League Robotics Competition at Lincoln High School where they put their knowledge to the test around a biomedical engineering theme.

Students from the teams built and programmed small robots to accomplish challenges, investigated a research topic and prepared a presentation. The two Hudbots teams researched the impact of biomedical engineering on teenager’s lives, while the Wildcats came up with the idea of placing a computer chip in football helmets to help diagnose brain injuries.

(more...)

Students at Mann and Woodbrook Middle Schools and Lakes High School will benefit from a $1.4 million grant recently awarded to Clover Park School District (CPSD) from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Grant money will be used to enhance technology in the three schools to support math and science achievement and greater counseling support for students directly impacted by military deployment, reintegration and other behavioral and family issues.

(more...)

The Woodbrook Middle School's PTSA is now inactive. We have not been able to meet the minimum member requirement to continue to be a part of the National PTA organization. The school used to have a PTO, but to start another we would have to file a 501(c)3 at a cost of over $700. Sarah Weiler and I have not had a child there for 2 years but tried to keep it going.

We awarded money we had earned through bookfairs and collecting Box Tops and Labels on Friday, June 18th. Beth Harrison is in charge of the student ASB and sports department. We gave her a check for $500 for a Scoreboard or other expenses for the Sports dept, and a check for $425 for the Student Body to be used as they wish (dance, party, supplies, etc.). (more...)

Forty-three members and guests of the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a "Spring Evening at The Bair" on Thursday, April 22.  Representing the Port of Tacoma, Connie Bacon was the featured guest speaker during the dinner.  She stated that the Port is currently conducting a "nationwide search for a new CEO who is trustworthy, who will tell us the right story in business for the Port of Tacoma, who understands strategic thinking, and is a go-getter." According to Bacon, the Port of Tacoma is "beginning to see a tiny rise in activity, but anticipates steady growth over the next five years."  She added that the Port has spent $170M to clean-up Puget Sound and Commencement Bay.  There are ongoing negotiations with the Puyallup Tribe about possibly operating a terminal, as well.  Bus tours of the Port of Tacoma are available to the public and scheduled every couple of months.

(more...)

A Lakes Ignite mentor works with a group of students at Woodbrook Middle School.

Ignite mentors from Lakes High School spent more than a month at local middle schools helping eighth-graders better understand what it means to be a high schooler. Mentors led lessons and activities, answered questions and facilitated discussions around high school myths and fears.

“This is a great way to help students feel more accepted as they being high school,” said Briana Sacks, a Lakes junior. “I wish I had a program like this to help me with the transition to high school, because I think it can make a big difference for students.”

The Ignite mentoring program is led by Lakes’ Marcy Schafer.