December 2011 - Clover Park School

Learning today. Leading tomorrow
Beachwood and
Hudtloff named
2011 Schools of
Distinction
Beachwood Elementary
School and Hudtloff Middle
School were named 2011
Schools of Distinction. The
annual award recognizes
schools that have made
large improvements in
student achievement.
To earn School of
Distinction status, schools
must be performing at
least at the state average
performance in fourth-,
seventh-, and 10thgrade reading and math
assessments, as measured
on state assessments.
“To receive this
recognition is a wonderful
way to honor the
incredible dedication
of our students and
staff to make learning
meaningful,” said Moureen
David, principal of
Hudtloff Middle School.
This is the third year
Hudtloff has been honored
by the state for gains in
student achievement.
For more information,
visit www.effectiveness.org.
Celebrate the
life of Dr. King
The City of Lakewood’s
annual Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration is
Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10
a.m. to 12 p.m. at the
Sharon McGavick Center
on the campus of Clover
Park Technical College,
4500 Steilacoom Blvd.
SW in Lakewood.
Annual report
available online
The Clover Park
School District Annual
Report is now available on
the district website. This
report summarizes the
successes and challenges of
the 2010-11 school year.
Click on the “News and
Publications” link on the
right-hand side of the
homepage to view the
report.
Voters to consider
replacement levy Feb. 14
The Clover Park School
District Board of Directors is
asking voters to consider a
proposal for a four-year educational
programs and operations levy on
Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The Feb. 14 levy proposal
will replace the district’s current
educational programs and
operations levy, which expires in
December 2012. It will not be a
new tax.
If approved by voters, the levy
will generate:
• $20.1 million in 2013;
• $20.7 million in 2014;
• $21.1 million in 2015; and
• $21.1 million in 2016.
Funds from the levies will be
spent for:
• Classroom support (80 percent)
including maintaining reduced
class sizes, purchase of textbooks
and classroom instructional
materials, purchase of library
materials and librarians, student
academic/career guidance and
health room assistance including
counselors, nurses and health paraeducators, educational program
improvements (Gifted, ELL, special
education and assessments) and
districtwide teaching and learning
activities, including training;
• School maintenance and operations
(12 percent) including building
maintenance (painting, roofing,
flooring and lighting), custodians,
grounds maintenance, student
transportation, food services and
classroom furniture;
• School technology (7 percent)
including classroom computers,
instructional software, upgraded
wiring and Internet access costs; and
• Safety and security (1 percent)
including school resources officers,
campus supervisors, fire alarms
and facility/property security
systems.
The tax rate for the levy is
anticipated to be no more than $3.95
per $1,000 of assessed property value.
This rate is anticipated to go down as
housing values increase and as district
officials take several steps to insure
the rate will decrease should housing
values remain flat.
According to figures from the
Pierce County Assessor, Clover Park’s
proposed levy tax rate is one of the
lowest rates in Pierce County.
All voters will receive their ballots
in the mail in late January.
A detailed levy spending plan
is available by calling the district’s
financial services office, 583-5020.
Math teachers
work together to
increase student
achievement
As math requirements and
expectations grow, district math teachers
are collaborating and learning along with
their students.
When the school day ends for
students on half days, secondary algebra
and geometry teachers meet to strengthen
their instructional abilities. The three-hour Kim Tarnowieckyi, a math teacher, (standing) works with a small group of secondary math teachers to make their
lessons more engaging for students.
workshops are structured like a math
class, and are led by consultant teacher
especially important as math assessments become
Ray Kurtz and math teacher Kim Tarnowieckyi. Most
more high-stakes.”
recently, teachers learned how to make their lessons
Students in the classes of 2013 and 2014 will
more engaging for students. To start, teachers received
be the first to be required to pass a state math
a sample assignment and were asked to work in small
exam to be eligible for a diploma. Students in those
groups to modify the assignment to make it more
classes need to pass one End-of-Course (EOC) exam
engaging. After the presentation, teachers broke into
in algebra 1 or geometry, or the integrated math
small groups to share lesson plans and ideas.
equivalents. Students in the class of 2015 must
“This is the first school year that secondary teachers
pass both math EOCs. The EOC exams for high
have had the opportunity to work together as a group,”
school math, based on the revised K-12 Mathematics
said Kurtz, who has been a math teacher in the district
Learning Standards, debuted last spring and replaced
for 14 years. “The structure of these workshops gives
the math High School Proficiency Exam.
us the freedom to tailor the professional development
“The format of this professional development
to the needs of teachers and their students. This is
Continued as MATH on page 4
Non Profit Org
US Postage
PAID
10903 Gravelly Lake Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
December
2011
POSTAL CUSTOMER
ECRWSS
Tacoma, WA
Permit #254
2 • December 2011
www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us
Inside Schools
Hudtloff Middle School
The foundation footings and stem walls are 90 percent
installed throughout the entire building. Preparation for plumbing
and electrical conduit is 75 percent complete. The slab has been
poured in the administration, cafeteria and commons locations. The
foundation walls for the elevator are installed. Construction of the
tall foundation block walls (CMU) at the gym is 90 percent complete and exterior weather resistive
barrier is half finished. Construction of the tall foundation block walls (CMU) at the commons,
cafeteria and locker rooms has started.
Harrison Preparatory School and Oakwood / Southgate Elementary
School
Educational space requirements and program activities for Harrison Preparatory School are being
determined. A recommendation for the Oakwood/Southgate Elementary School to be situated adjacent
to Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) and the new Harrison Preparatory School has been accepted.
Educational specifications for the schools have been developed by the administration and were used
as a basis for the recently completed conceptual site plan and property transaction with CPTC. Several
studies, including a noise assessment, a geo technical phase I study and a traffic study, have been
completed. The school board has authorized the selection of Integrus Architecture as the architect for
the Harrison Preparatory School and the Oakwood/Southgate Elementary School projects.
Vazquez and Newberry
named Clover Park, Lakes
Daffodil Princesses
Cinthia Vazquez and Madison Newberry are the 2011-12
Daffodil Princesses for Clover Park and Lakes High Schools,
respectively. The girls were selected in two separate ceremonies
after presenting a speech on this year’s theme, “Don’t Stop
Believing,” and answering an impromptu question.
Vazquez is Clover Park High School’s National Honor
Society president and senior class secretary. She is a Running
Start student at Pierce College, a member of the track and
field team, a Lakewood Youth Council member and the
AFJROTC Group Vice Commander.
Newberry is an Ignite mentor and a member
of the award-winning Lakes High School studio
and concert choirs. She is a varsity athlete, a
two-year member of the National Honor Society
and is actively involved in several advanced
placement classes. In addition to a part-time job,
she is a youth soccer referee and has served more
than 400 hours of service to the Young Life
organization.
The girls will represent their schools
throughout the school year and will compete for
the title of Queen of the Daffodil Festival on March 16,
2012, at Life Center, 1717 S Union Ave in Tacoma.
For more information about the Daffodil Festival, visit www.
daffodilfestival.net.
Right: Cinthia Vazquez (right) is crowned by Shawnice Davis,
Clover Park High School’s 2010-11 Daffodil Princess.
Left: Madison Newberry, Lakes High School Daffodil
Princess.
Clover Park High School honored for
innovative education
Clover Park High was one of six schools deemed “Innovative Schools” by the Office
of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for its high expectations for students
and teachers; array of educational options and partnerships with parents and
the community.
Clover Park was part of the small schools movement and the school
retains its smaller learning community. In 2010, Clover Park created CP
STEM, a schoolwide program emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math.
The announcement was made by Randy Dorn, superintendent of public
instruction, during the Washington State School Directors’ Association’s
conference on Nov. 18.
Show Me the
Math program
successful thanks
to support from
local businesses
In an effort to continually
boost student math achievement,
Clover Park School District staff
adopted a new program called
Show Me the Math—originally
developed in Tacoma Public
Schools. Show Me the Math is a
community scavenger hunt focused
on finding real-life, practical uses
of math skills through partnerships
with local businesses.
“We are very grateful for the
support we received from the
Lakewood business community,”
said Sarah Fairweather, family and
community partnership coordinator.
“This program helps our students
learn that strong math skills will
be useful their entire lives.”
Thank you to the following
businesses:
•Ace Hardware (8123 Steilacoom
Blvd SW)
•All-American Professional
Sewing Services (11104 Gravelly
Lake Drive SW, Suite #2)
•Ameriprise—Scott Buser (2702 S
42nd St Ste 204, Tacoma)
•Art and Clay Studio LLC
(8815 Bridgeport Way SW)
•Bike Tech (8819 Bridgeport
Way SW)
•Crane’s Creations (8207
Steilacoom Blvd SW)
•Designated Escrow Inc. (6107
Lake Grove Street SW)
•Ed Selden Carpet One (3901
Steilacoom Blvd SW)
•Hess Bakery and Deli (6108
Mt. Tacoma Drive SW)
•James Guerrero Architects, Inc.
(7520 Bridgeport Way SW)
•LakeBridge Forza (10240
Bridgeport Way SW)
•Lakewood Music Center (6111
Lakewood Towne Center Blvd
SW – Q)
•Moon Rise Café (6020 Main
Street)
•Revolving Books (8107
Steilacoom Blvd)
Show Me the Math was piloted
with Hudtloff Middle School sixthgraders and may be expanded to
include students from other district
middle schools.
Inside Schools
www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us
Technology Update
Several technology upgrades and enhancements have been completed
throughout the district by staff from the information technology services
(ITS) department. These include:
Completed Projects
• MAP Testing—More than 600 laptops, purchased with funds from
a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense Education
Activity, Title I and Learning Assistance Program funds were used
by students for Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing. The
additional laptops allowed for the expansion of MAP testing at all
elementary schools in grades three through five;
• Computer Upgrade—All district computers were upgraded to
Windows 7 and Office 2010. More than 4,000 desktop and 1,000
laptop computers were reimaged; and
• Data Dashboard—The district began using the VersiFit K12
Intelligence Dashboard last school year. The Dashboard is a Webbased tool that delivers district data in an easy to use format. It
retrieves data from the district’s student information system and the
Munis HR/Financial System and is accessed directly through a Web
browser. Administrators and teachers use the data to track student
academic performance and monitor progress toward graduation. Staff
training was offered last spring, in August, again this fall, and on
an ongoing basis as needed.
December 2011 •
3
Spotlight on Schools
Lakes players to become U.S.
Army All-Americans
Zach Banner and Cedric
Dozier know what it means
to shine. As star players on
the 9-0 Lakes High School
football team, they are
accustomed to attention. On
Friday, Oct. 28, the pair were
in the spotlight once again
as they accepted invitations to play in the 2012 U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl on Jan. 7 in San Antonio, Texas. The game, which
will be televised on NBC at 10 a.m. PST, features the nation’s top
90 high school football players. Banner (left)—a 6-foot-9, 305 lb.
offensive tackle—and Dozier (right)—a 5-foot-11, 175 lb. quarterback,
receiver and defensive back—were selected by a committee of AllAmerican Games’ network of regional directors and Rivals.com.
Current Projects
• Student Information System—eSIS, the district’s current student
information system, was purchased by Pearson and support will be
discontinued in July 2012. This summer, ITS staff created a Request
for Proposals (RFP) to replace eSIS. The RFP featured 16 categories
with 20 to 163 questions in each category. Seven companies
submitted proposals and three were selected as finalists. During
the last week of October, the finalists visited the Student Services
Center to give two-day demos of their products. More than 80
secretaries, teachers, counselors, nurses and administrators took part
in the demos, asking questions and providing feedback about each
product. A finalist will be announced in December and the new
student information system will be launched next school year; and
• Hudtloff Construction—ITS staff worked with engineers on design of
the new Hudtloff Middle School to ensure technology considerations
are made. Instead of installing separate wiring for each required
system, new technology will converge and run through the district’s
virtual network technology.
Future Projects
• Server and E-Mail Upgrade—Plans are in place to upgrade network
servers and e-mail systems to Windows-based systems. The district
will move from GroupWise to Outlook Exchange over the coming
year. This will require multiple test migrations of data, user accounts
and files and training for staff; and
• Phone System—Research is being conducted regarding the
replacement of the district’s phone system to make it compatible
with enhanced emergency services; provide the industry standard
Voice over IP, reduce maintenance costs and support video and
classroom services.
“These projects benefit our students and staff because they make
technology more accessible,” said Craig Cook, director of information
technology services. “When students and educators have access to new
computers, data, the Internet and state-of-the-art software programs,
teaching and learning are enhanced.”
Lakewood named one of 100 Best
Communities for Young People
For the fifth year in a row, the City of Lakewood achieved
national recognition as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100
Best Communities for Young People. The designation, presented
by ING, recognizes communities across the country that focus
on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and
support to their youth.
The announcement came during a celebration planned by
the Lakewood Youth Council—made up of students from Clover
Park and Lakes High Schools, Harrison Preparatory School and
Lakewood Career Academy, along with Steilacoom High School
and Bellarmine Preparatory Academy. Only 22 other cities in the
nation share Lakewood’s five-time success.
This year, more than 300 communities from all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were nominated for the 100
Best distinction.
Sisters share love of skating, competition
At 5 a.m. most kids are still in bed.
Not the Bowman girls. Six days a week,
Hailey (left), 9, and Brooke (right),
13, spend 90 minutes doing the thing
they love most—figure skating. The girls
are members of the Lakewood Winter
Club. The girls compete year-round at
several United States Figure Skating
(USFS) sanctioned events throughout the
northwest. Over the past six years Brooke
has collected over 75 trophies and medals
for finishing first through third place and
“making the podium.” She is a three-time
USFS Pacific Northwest Regional medalist,
earning gold in 2009. Hailey has more than 30 podium appearances
and is the current two-time consecutive USFS Pacific NW Regional
Champion in her level, earning gold in 2010 and 2011.
Students earn incentives for academics, citizenship
Seventeen students from Clover Park
and Lakes High Schools earned $350 grants
from the Elizabeth Wesley Youth Merit
Incentive Award Program for their academic
performance, attendance and good citizenship. The students were
honored at an awards ceremony in late September in Tacoma. Lakes
High School group photo from left: Jamon Parker, Aaron Harrell,
Hannah Stafford, Shinora Collins, KeyShawn Lee, Chanel Gocha,
Leonica Fountain, Amanda Small, Brianna Lambert-Butler, Tatiana
Bryant, Dequam Walls, Noel Draper, Brysen Boyd and counselor,
Bobbie Richardson. Single photo: Shaquerviante Manning, Clover
Park High School.
4 • December 2011
Inside Schools
www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us
Schools show appreciation for veterans
Students and staff throughout the district held special assemblies in honor of Veterans Day. Programs
included guest speakers, songs, music, poetry, photo slide shows and video clips. Clover Park School District
has a special connection to the military with six schools on Joint Base Lewis-McChord and 43 percent of
students connected to the military.
(top) Clover Park: Veterans were welcomed into the gym with a standing ovation by students and
staff. Each veteran was introduced and received a candy lei from the ASB and Pacific Islanders’
Club. Students also read special letters to military family members and conducted brief interviews
about what it means to serve your country. Teacher Brian Winkler was recognized with an Air
Force coin for his work on the annual Arlington Project on the front lawn of the high school each
Memorial Day.
(left) Carter Lake: Students thanked veterans by handing out paper poppies and singing songs
from the various branches of the military. A small group of students took turns explaining the
importance of veterans. The finale was a moving fourth- and fifth-grader performance of the song
“American Tears.”
(right) Tyee Park: It was standing room only at Tyee Park Elementary School’s 25th Veterans
Day Celebration. Teacher Tracey Lundquist led students in the singing of several patriotic songs.
The 56th Army Band from JBLM performed and Retired Col. and Medal of Honor recipient Joe
Jackson gave the keynote address. A tribute to Retired Gen. John M. Shalikashvili was also held.
Michael Reagan from the Fallen Heroes Project brought displays of his moving portraits, and even
presented Lundquist and Tyee Park with two special drawings.
Superintendent’s Corner
School district funding in question
as legislators enter special session
As this issue goes to press, our state legislators
will meet for a special session to determine further
cuts to K-12 education for this school year to bridge
a projected $1.4 billion shortfall in the current
biennium. In late October, Gov. Chris Gregoire
presented a list of about $4 billion in budget
reduction alternatives, which included $365 million in
cuts and eliminations to K-12 education.
In Clover Park School District, we are working
diligently to maximize and protect our revenues
and continue to explore ways to reduce costs.
Our financial services department is hard at work
determining what these cuts could potentially mean
to the district. Some of the most dramatic proposed
cuts statewide include $150 million in Local Effort
Assistance (LEA), which is designed to provide
assistance to school districts that don’t have large
commercial property values. If approved, this could
equate to a $7.5 million loss in revenue to Clover
Park schools.
The governor also proposes increasing class sizes
by two students in grades 4-12 for a savings of $137
million statewide. Class size language is part of the
collective bargaining agreement between the district
and the Clover Park Education Association. The
district would be forced to shoulder these mid-year
cuts if approved by the legislature.
A complete listing of proposed cuts is available
on the Office of Financial Management website, www.
ofm.wa.gov/reductions/alternatives.
Additionally, Congress cut 1.5 percent of
education appropriations for this school year, which
includes federal Title I and II grants, the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act and career and
technical education grants.
These proposed cuts are especially hard to accept
and implement, because this school year’s budget
already reflects a revenue loss of $5.6 million in state
and federal funding. Lower enrollment projections and
loss of federal stimulus funds ($1.52 million) resulted
in reductions to certificated staffing this school
year. Other staffing
and budget reductions,
including non-employeerelated costs, were made
in administrative offices,
Debbie LeBeau
totaling approximately
$2.58 million. As part
of the school district’s fiscal stability plan, $1.5
million from the fund balance was utilized to
offset the revenue loss. Additionally, classroom
coaches were reduced from 24 to 15; seven custodial
positions were unfilled; five central administration
support staff positions were eliminated and hours for
para educators were reduced.
On Nov. 16, I met with local legislators, giving
them the opportunity to visit our schools and see
the great work we are doing to increase student
success through student achievement, partnerships
and community engagement. This gave me an
opportunity to represent our students and staff by
addressing district priorities, including:
• The importance of protecting our Local
Effort Assistance funding (also known as
levy equalization funds);
• Making no additional cuts to our already
insufficient basic education funding; and
• Maintaining school construction assistance
in the capital budget.
Please remember to vote on Feb. 14, 2012.
Our board of directors is asking voters to consider
a replacement four-year educational programs and
operations levy. This levy will replace the district’s
current educational programs and operations levy,
which expires in December 2012. Levy funds help
with classroom support, school maintenance and
operations, technology and safety and security.
Teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors are
funded through the levy as well as custodians,
maintenance and technology workers. Additional
information about the levy is available in the article
on page 1.
Math
Continued from front page
is really nice, because it allows
us to share ideas to overcome
obstacles in our own classrooms,”
said Stacia Newton, an advanced
student placement math and
science teacher at Lochburn Middle
School. “It’s important that math
teachers use a common language,
and the time we spend together
every month helps us have these
important conversations.”
Previously, math teachers met
in grade-level groups. This is the
first year that middle and high
school math teachers meet on a
regular basis.
“There are so many changes
taking place with student
assessments and teacher evaluations.
It’s a lot of pressure,” said Brian
Laubach, director of teaching and
learning. “The format of this
professional development allows our
math teachers to work together
across grade levels, which benefits
students as they move from middle
to high school. We are constantly
tweaking our offerings to provide
teachers with as much support as
possible to strengthen teaching and
learning throughout the district.”
For more information about
changes to the math graduation
requirements, visit the Office
of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction’s website, www.k12.
wa.us/graduationrequirements.
Events Calendar
District, school and athletic
events are listed on the district
website under “Calendar” and
“Events Calendar.”
2010-11 Nationa
l
School Public
Relations Associa
& Washington Sc tion
hool
Public Relations
Association award
winning publicatio n
Production Crew
Writer & Editor: Jayme Taylor
Layout & Design: Shelley Thornton
Printing: Swarner Communications Group
Clover Park School District
Board of Directors
President, Walt Kellcy, Jr.
Vice-President, Carole Jacobs
Joe Vlaming
Marty Schafer
Paul Wagemann
Deborah L. LeBeau, Superintendent
and Secretary to the Board
Clover Park School District complies with all federal and state
rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, gender or disability. This holds
true for all students who are interested in participating in
educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities.
Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures
may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.260
compliance officer and Section 504/ADA coordinator:
administrator for human resources, Clover Park School District,
10903 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, 253-5835080. Section 504/ADA coordinator: deputy superintendent,
Clover Park School District, 10903 Gravelly Lake Drive SW,
Lakewood, WA 98499, 253-583-5050.