February 19, 2015
       
School Beat
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Eckstein Middle School Choir Feb 18, 2015 
Eckstein Middle School Choir Feb 18, 2015
The Eckstein Middle School Choir has doubled in numbers since last year. Students learn a wide variety of repertoire, including repertoire from other cultures, pop and jazz. This year they will participate in the Best in the Northwest Festival in Portland, Oregon.
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AROUND THE SCHOOLS
With Planting the Seed, TOPS eighth-graders learn about homelessness - and about themselves
Photo � Susie Fitzhugh
During one week in February, eighth-graders from TOPS K-8 work with and for people experiencing homelessness and others in need. They sort fresh vegetables into bags at the Rainier Valley Food Bank. They serve coffee and doughnuts at the St. Francis House. They prepare food for and serve residents of the Compass Center. They make meals-to-go for Operation Sack Lunch.

This was the eighth year of the Planting the Seeds service-learning experience at TOPS. Read more.
Physical Education for every student
Adapted Physical Ed Green Lake Elementary [CC]

No student should be left out of physical education. In this video learn about the great things they're doing in the Adapted P.E. Program at Green Lake Elementary to make P.E. accessible for students with disabilities. Get ready to be inspired.
DISTRICT NEWS
No start date for 2015-16 school year yet
We know there is a lot of interest in the first day of school for the 2015-16 school year. A date has not yet been set. The academic calendar is subject to collective bargaining with our labor partners. It then goes to the School Board for final approval.

We will share the 2015-16 school calendar with families as soon as it is finalized.
Open Enrollment for School Choice begins Feb. 23
Open Enrollment for school choice is almost here. Feb. 23 through March 6, families will be able to request a school or program outside of their regularly assigned neighborhood school. In an effort to provide quality customer service, the district has created an Assignment Look-Up Tool on the Seattle Public Schools Admissions website to make it easier for families to identify their student's assigned school for the coming year. Read more.

Advanced Learning: Please note that because of the record number of tests being administered for Advanced Learning this year, families may need to submit a School Choice Form before they have test results. Families should submit a School Choice Form by March 6, even if they haven't yet been notified of Highly Capable or other eligibility. Please see our Advanced Learning Enrollment page for instructions on how to enroll without eligibility results at www.seattleschools.org/advlearning.
Final Kindergarten Enrollment, including Open Enrollment for School Choice
Family at Kindergarten Enrollment Event The final two Kindergarten Enrollment Nights fall in the Open Enrollment period for Seattle Public Schools. Turn in all of your enrollment forms for next fall, including requests for schools outside of your neighborhood school.
  • Thursday, Feb. 26, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Dunlap Elementary, 4525 S. Cloverdale
  • Wednesday, March 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wing Luke Elementary, 3701 S. Kenyon St.
Filling out forms at K enrollment event Enrollment specialists and interpreters will be on hand. Flyer at http://bit.ly/SPSEarlyLearning. Enrollment forms and a listing of required documents are on the SPS Enrollment Page. There's plenty of fun for the kids to do as well!
Free SATs, low-cost IB and AP
SAT: Next Wednesday, Seattle Public Schools will be administering the SAT to all juniors during the regular school day at no cost. The SAT is the most widely used college admission test in the country and normally carries a fee of at least $52.50.

The district is offering this free SAT Day to open more higher education opportunities to all students. More info here.

AP and IB: The Test Fee Reduction Program for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Capstone program exams, gives students from low-income families a significant break on fees for taking these tests. This year's fee of $12 per exam is down by one-third from last year and applies to an unlimited number of AP exams. More information at www.k12.wa.us/AdvancedPlacement/testfee.aspx.
High school students may now apply for Highly Capable identification
High school students are now able to apply for identification as Highly Capable. A revision to state law has opened the HC designation to qualified high school students who are not already identified and wish to apply.

Families of students in grades 9 to 11 must submit a referral form by Feb. 27 and the remainder of the application packet by March 26. Interested families should click HERE to access forms and learn more about whether this designation might be appropriate for their teens.
Share your ideas at our Technology Vision Town Halls
Seattle Public Schools wants to give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback and input into the district's Technology Vision process. To accomplish this we are scheduling five "Town Hall" meetings around the District. One in each of the five major regions. The schedule is as follows:  
  • NORTHEAST REGION: Monday, Feb. 23 at Eckstein Middle School cafeteria
  • CENTRAL REGION: Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Washington Middle School cafeteria
  • SOUTHEAST REGION: Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Rainier Beach High School cafeteria
  • NORTHWEST REGION: Thursday, Feb. 26 at Ingraham High School cafeteria
  • WEST SEATTLE REGION: Monday March 2 at West Seattle High School cafeteria
Learn more.
Family and Community Summit Feb. 21: "Parent and Family Engagement Make a World of Difference"
Dr. Otha Thornton, Jr. President, National PTA
All families and community members are cordially invited to a parent/family and community summit to be held at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence on Saturday, February 21.

This daylong summit will explore how we can all come together to improve student academic achievement, our schools and communities. This important event is sponsored by the Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators and the U.S. Department of Education in collaborative partnership with Seattle Public Schools. Learn more.
Volunteer for social studies 6-8 adoption committee
Seattle Public Schools is beginning the process of evaluating materials for social studies courses in grades 6-8. The district invites families, teachers and community members to volunteer for a materials adoption committee.

The committee's work will begin in March, with the goal to put new textbooks into use during the 2015-16 school year. The deadline to apply for the committee is 9 a.m. Feb. 25. Please click HERE to read more and access applications.
New Thornton Creek School building construction update
Thornton Creek building
Seattle Public Schools is moving forward with its plan to build the new Thornton Creek School at the site of the existing Stephen Decatur campus to house Thornton Creek K-5 students and staff. Read more.
Open house season in Seattle Public Schools
Each school plans its own open house and/or school tours. Most occur in late January or February.

You can find information on individual school websites, all of which you can access through our School Directory.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
The communications office is always looking for stories on interesting classroom projects, inspirational people and big events in our schools to share with the greater Seattle community. If you have a story to share, please send your ideas to [email protected].
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