school beat masthead 1-7-11
 
Jan. 24, 2011
 
 
School Beat
Welcome to School Beat, an e-newsletter from Seattle Public Schools that features District information, student and staff celebrations, school news and upcoming District-related events. Please share School Beat with others and send comments to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org.
 
 

Preparing for graduation and success in college, careers and life

 Good time to review credit and other requirements for graduation

 

Save the date for family symposium March 12

Event will equip families with tools to support student success

 Sincerely,

 DGJ Signature

Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D.
Superintendent,
Seattle Public Schools

tableofcontents
Table of Contents
Excellence for All
District News
Staff Celebrations
Around the Schools
Around the Community
Upcoming Events
School and District Events Calendar
We Need Your Ideas
In the News
Quick Links
Excellence for All: Math
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Math readiness part of Academy for Families priority
Seattle Public Schools is holding its next Academy for Families March 12 where there will be information and resources for families on early learning, math, apprenticeships, college readiness and more.
 
District News
Seattle Public Schools staff, students and the community have been able to preview our updated website for several weeks now. We have been maintaining our old website during this transition. When you log on Jan. 26, you will be directed to our new website which will include additional Web pages, tools and features. We'll be providing information to ensure you can find what you need.
 
The Family Support Workers program and three SPS students received the MLK Peace Award at a ceremony Jan. 15 at the Seattle Center. The English Language Learners department also received an award for being nominated.

Budget Update: Next Board workshop scheduled for Jan. 26
Seattle Public Schools began the year with a balanced budget but because the state has cut more funds, the District is now short an additional $5.24 million for this school year. The next Board workshop is scheduled for 4-8 p.m., Jan. 26 at the John Stanford Center.

Board approves 2nd year of Student Assignment transition plan

The School Board approved the second year transition plan for the New Student Assignment Plan at its Jan. 19 meeting. Incorporated in the plan are boundary revision affecting several schools.

New transportation service standards proposed
Informational meeting scheduled for Jan. 27 at Aki Kurose
The School Board is considering a change in transportation services for the 2011-12 school year that could save the School District about $4 million. The proposal, affecting elementary schools and some K-8 schools, would use 80 fewer buses and reduce bus ride times. An information meeting is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m., Jan 27 at Aki Kurose Middle School. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the plan Feb. 16. Comments can be e-mailed to transportationzones@seattleschools.org


 

Early enrollment continues through Jan. 31

School tours, open houses scheduled for January through March

Seattle Public Schools to apply for School Improvement Grants

Student Celebrations
Staff Celebrations

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced in December that 71 Seattle Public Schools teachers earned their National Board Certification in 2010. The District now has 227 National Board Certified Teachers, an increase of more than 40 percent over last year.

 
Maintenance, custodial personnel recognized for snow-day efforts
Nineteen School District maintenance and custodial employees were recognized for going above and beyond their normal call of duty to keep buildings safe and secure during the emergency snow days of Nov. 21-27.

School nurses recognized for extraordinary efforts

MLK teacher to be inducted in Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Around the Schools
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Ballard students to place experiment aboard U.S. space shuttle
Ballard High School will be one of 15 schools across the United States that will place a science experiment aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour, scheduled for liftoff Feb. 27. 
 
Salmon Bay is inviting comments in February and March for the design phase of a playground renovation at the school. 
 
Center School dancers

 

 

 

 

  


The Center School students enjoyed a dance partnership with the Cornish College of the Arts for the third year. Students received one-on-one instruction in ballet and modern dance.

Around the Community

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2011 Neighborhood Matching Fund program announced
Acting president named for Seattle Council PTSA

Port of Seattle offers schools free field trips 

Upcoming Events

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Michelle AlexanderDiversity Speaker Series:
Professor to speak about new book

Michelle Alexander, a highly acclaimed civil rights lawyer, advocate, and legal scholar, will speak about her first book - The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness at a Jan. 25 lecture at the John Stanford Center.

School and District Events Calendar
If you would like to know about current special school activities, fund-raisers or other District events, visit the online District Events Calendar where you can see what's going on monthly at Seattle Public Schools. You can also search for specific events by date, school and type. 
We need your ideas
The Communications Office is always looking for stories on interesting classroom projects, inspirational people or events in our schools to share with the greater Seattle community. We often highlight stories submitted by school staff for potential media coverage as well as District and community publications. For examples of stories we have published in the past, please visit this link. We would like to hear from you. If you have a unique story to share, please send your ideas directly to goodnews@seattleschools.org.
In the News
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For a sampling of this week's local news stories on Seattle Public Schools, please click here.