Happy Holidays!

My best wishes go out to you and your family this holiday season and I hope you have a rewarding and joyous new year. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be serving as your Interim Superintendent these past ten months. I want to thank you for your commitment to helping our students receive the highest quality education possible. I look forward to working with you again next year. Have a happy holiday season! Please read my holiday message and also this important message to staff, families and the community.

* SPS celebrates strong growth in high school performance

* College Bowl Sunday to help students find money for college

Michael DeBell

Kay Smith-Blum

Betty Patu

Board elects new officers

The Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors at its Dec. 7 meeting elected new officers for the 2012 calendar year: Michael DeBell, President; Kay Smith-Blum, Vice President and Betty Patu, Member at Large. 

Four recently elected Board members take oaths of office
Four recently elected School Board members took their oaths of office in a ceremony Nov. 30 at the John Stanford Center. New Board members Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren joined re-elected Board members Sherry Carr and Harium Martin-Morris who were sworn in for four-year terms.

* District ranks 15th in nation for new National Board Certified Teachers

* Volunteers needed for Positive Climate, Discipline Advisory Committee

* Volunteers sought for Equity and Race Advisory Committee
* Families invited to Kindergarten nights, learn about early enrollment

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* Garfield High student editor wins prestigous news association award 

* Whitman 7th-grader a professional guitarist for local band (outside link)

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Cleveland coach receives sportsmanship award

Ronn Jackson, football coach at Cleveland High School, received the 2011 Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association Sportsmanship Award. This award is given annually to the high school football coach in Washington state that exemplifies true sportsmanship throughout the season - regardless of the team's win/loss record.  

* Madison Middle School wins national counseling award

* Metro League association honors Cleveland, Franklin principals

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Loyal to Life Academy - University of Oregon College Tour 2011

 South Lake students learn about the law at University of Oregon tour

Thirteen students from South Lake High School toured the Univeristy of Oregon in October and learned about the state's legal system - in what was for many, a life-changing experience. 

* Hale reaches milestone with membership into Thespian Society

* Parent leaders learn how to prepare for parent teacher conferences

* OSPI designates Thornton Creek as Innovative School (outside link)

* Aki Kurose wins 'Get Schooled' Fall Attendance Challenge

* Hawthorne Elementary rings in holidays at Winter Bazaar

* Guests speak to West Seattle High School about effects of drugs

* John Muir, MLK elementary schools win top awards at MathFest 

* Hundreds celebrate Family Literacy Night at West Seattle Elementary

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Library seeks input on options for improving services (outside link)

The Seattle Public Library will hold three meetings in January to discuss improving library services. The meetings will focus on options for enhancing its collection of books and materials, increasing operating hours, upgrading computers and online services, and improving building maintenance.  

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