2015-16 First Quarter Newsletter

2015-16
First Quarter Newsletter
Skills and Leadership for the Future
Kentridge Financial Algebra Students Receive Financial Literacy Training
On September 29, Ms. Karol Garrett of the American
Payroll Association, spoke with Bob Sandal’s Financial
Algebra classes. She provided a lesson with real-work
financial literacy training for the students. They
learned to fill out a W-4 Form and acquired an
understanding of how and why payroll taxes are
withheld from their paychecks. After high school
students will soon be working, this personal finance
knowledge will be indispensable as they strive to
become financially responsible adults.
Ms. Garrett provided students with the knowledge and
understanding to improve their money management
skills, save for the future and put more money in their
pocket with each paycheck. The students were also
entered to win one of four scholarships.
Kentwood High School Digital Design Student Chosen to Celebrate Senior
Football Players
Congratulations to Mustafa Capan whose customized candy bar and
Gatorade label designs were chosen by the Football
Boosters to be used for Senior Night for the
Kentwood Football Team.
Over the past several years, the Digital Design
students have designed customized labels for
each senior player to represent the player’s
name, number and the football motto.
Student from Kentlake High School Careers in Culinary Arts “Experience
the Difference” at The Food Services of America Trade Show
The Food Services of America (FSA) trade show was held on October
21, 2015 at the Seattle Convention Center. This by-invitation-only
event for foodservice industry professionals and business owners
encouraged attendees to “Experience the Difference”.
The trade show offered chef and product demonstrations, food and
beverage samples and opportunities to see the latest in
restaurant/hospitality industry equipment and trends. The Careers in
Culinary Arts classes from Kentlake High School attended the show as
one of only three high school culinary arts programs invited to be
present.
Kent Phoenix Academy Creative Cooking Students Observed Proper Knife
Skills
Sovanny Ebbesen from The International Culinary Schools at the
Seattle Art Institute came to the Phoenix Academy as a guest
speaker on October 28. The International Culinary Schools has
schools across the U.S. and is known for top-notch culinary
programs.
Sovanny represented the Seattle Art Institute in Seattle. She came
to talk to the culinary students about careers in the culinary
industry as well as other programs at the Institute. Sovanny has
extensive experience in the culinary world and has owned several
restaurants. In addition to talking about culinary careers, she
demonstrated knife skills and made a mango, jicama and
cucumber salsa.
While she was demonstrating Sovanny also provided nutrition and health information. All the student
LOVED the salsa and it proved to be a fun and informative day!
Business Education and Marketing Students at Kentwood
High School Collaborate and Create Together
The Business and Marketing classes at Kentwood are collaborating on a variety of projects
that enhance learning, provide leadership opportunities, and building 21st Century Skills
for students. In late September, Marketing III-IV students were
approached by English Teacher Kris Hill, who oversees the school’s
Journalism class. The class is restarting the school’s “newspaper”,
Invictus, as an online publication. They wanted help developing a
marketing plan for the reintroduction of the publication to the Kentwood student body,
staff, alumni and community at large. Four teams of students worked to put plans
together. During the process, Advanced Digital Design students worked directly with marketing students
to create professional artwork and posters for use in actual ad campaigns.
The results of this collaboration were truly professional marketing plans for the
Journalism class to consider. Pictured here is the winning
image. Additionally, the campaign integrated the meaning of the
word Invictus, which cleverly means “unconquered” to build the
winning campaign. The campaign was conceived by the Marketing
team lead by senior Kelsey Newcomb. The Poster was designed by
Matt Barden and Sydney Bathurst the logo was created by Kimberly
LaPenia and Dylan Dobish prepared the press pass. This image is
now in use on the Invictus Twitter page as is their campaign
concept engages followers interactively in a contest using the hash
tag #unconquered. The Invictus Twitter page is @KW-invictus.
Collaboration is a powerful educational tool and is being used in full force in Business and Marketing
programs at Kentwood.
Police Science Students at Kent Meridian High School Tour the City of Kent
Police & Fire Training Center
On October 22, Kent-Meridian Police
Science students visited the City of Kent
Police/Fire Training Center. The class
was divided into three groups and
visited the following stations: Firing
Range, Field Interview, and Fire Tower.
Range Master Sprague gave a
demonstration of current firearms used
by Kent Police Officers, as well as some
things that are coming in the future at the firing range station. He also demonstrated what is called "less
lethal" rounds, specifically, bean bag rounds designed as an impact weapon to knock a suspect down
without causing significant injury.
At the field interview station officers were provided with scenarios by Detective Honda and the students
had to determine if they had sufficient information to detain, handcuff, and search a person.
The third station was in the fire tower which is sectioned off to look like a residence.
In this station, John Pagel and Officer Torre of the Valley SWAT team introduced students to Simunitions
training. Simunitions are paint pellets which can be fired out of the standard pistols and rifles officers
carry after slight modifications. Simunitions give officers the ability to train in realistic shooting
scenarios without the danger of live bullets. Students were shown how police officers make entry into
and search houses for criminals. They were also shown how a ram is used to break open doors and were
able to practice ramming steel doors. Both Torre and Pagel were impressed with how quickly the
students picked up on basic tactical concepts.
Engineering and Robotics Students at Kentridge High School Learn
through Project Based Instruction
Students in the Engineering and Robotics classes at Kentridge High School
learn 3D modeling, digital fabrication, and mechanical design through class
projects.
The students’ task was to laser-cut a device, powered by a DC motor, which
could highlight a few specific mechanisms of their choosing. KR student
Jacob Hill designed a “Spirograph”, which is a device that can draw a series
of abstract shapes. A potentiometer (aka a knob) was installed to adjust the
speed, and the different holes in the discs (spaced based on the Fibonacci
sequence) help it adjust the radius, to create different shapes. If you’ve ever
seen a Windows 95 screensaver, you might
recognize it.
The next project was to teach 3D modeling, digital fabrication, and electronic
circuits. The basic prompt was to design a small battery-powered lamp,
running LEDs, with a visually interesting design. KR student Blake (Madison)
Taylor based hers off of a large drawing she had seen, with all four sides
showing a different portion of a birds-on-plants scene.
For always doing great work herself, in addition to always helping others,
Blake was awarded the KR Engineering Student of the
Month Award. The award was 3D modeled and then CNC
routed out of ½” Baltic Birch (for scale, it’s 12” across).
This monthly award helps acknowledge extraordinary students, as well as creating
a discussion piece to show different ways to use digital fabrication. At the end of the
year, the 9 monthly awards will be combined into one giant mechanism.
In the area of consumer products and charity, Kentridge students are to design and create small products
they think Kentridge students or staff may be interested in buying (think 3D printed jewelry, for
example). With the proceeds, the class is going to 3D print prosthetic hands to be donated to children in
need of prosthetic hands.
E-nable is a non-profit organization that connects people with 3D printers, to people who need prosthetic
hands yet can’t afford traditional devices that costs thousands of dollars. The hands have been designed
by professionals. Read more at http://enablingthefuture.org/.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Manufacturers through Manufacturing
Day
Manufacturing Day℠ is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing
meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Over fifty Kent School
District high school students participated in Manufacturing Day℠ activities
this year.
Students from Kentlake High School visited
RedDot Corporation on October 1 to tour and
learn about designing and building mobile
HVAC systems and components for a wide
range of heavy-duty vehicles.
On October 2 students from Kent-Meridian High School and Kent Phoenix
Academy went to Buyken Metal Products in partnership with the
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) for a tour and hands-on
team-building project. Then, the group finished the day at Green River
College to get a sneak peek of their new Trades Technologies facilities.
Manufacturing Day℠ addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers
an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what
it isn’t, and the many career opportunities that are available.
BECU Financial Reality Fair Held at Kentlake and Kentwood High Schools’
On October 20, 2015 over 200 students from Kentlake and
Kentwood High Schools’ participated in a BECU Financial Reality
Fair held at their respective schools. Western Washington area
BECU offices were closed on the morning of October 20th so their
employees could volunteer at local high schools.
Fifty-four Reality Fairs were held on that day in 21 area schools
reaching 3,000 students through the volunteer efforts of over
1,300 BECU employees. Last spring, Kentlake and Kentwood
applied and interviewed for this opportunity and were accepted to
be a part of the inaugural event. Students attending each session were
assigned a career and starting salary. Then they were asked to complete a budget and make choices
within their budget, pay for basic necessities, adjust their budget to fit their income, make decisions
based on wants and needs and learn to manage unexpected expenses. After making their choices, each
student met with a BECU Financial Counselor to discuss their budget and make adjustments where
necessary.
The event was very well received by students. They were asked to reflect on the experience and some
remarks included, “I didn’t know things cost so much.”, “I learned I
should save money instead of spending it on useless stuff.”, “Definitely
start saving my money because life is expensive” and “Because of this I
know what my parents must do every month.” The students received
backpacks and other giveaways, took pictures for Instagram and had
fun learning to be money wise.
Automotive Students from Kentridge High School
Compare and Contrast New vs. Old Automobiles
October 8, students from
Kentridge High School
automotive classes traveled
to the LeMay Car Museum in
Tacoma and then to Seattle to
the International Auto Show
at CenturyLink Field Event
Center.
The LeMay collection is the
largest automotive museum in North America and is a fascinating walk through the history of the
automobile. With over 300 vehicles on display, the students were able to grasp the sequence of the
development of automobiles throughout the world. After touring the museum, students were then
transported to Seattle to see the brand new 2016 automobiles from around the world at the 2016
International Auto Show at the CenturyLink Event Center.
This experience for the students was a great example of comparing and contrasting the very first cars to
those that have just been designed for 2016. Students went home with a better appreciation of what
actually goes into the design and creation of the many vehicles we see on the road each day.
Kent-Meridian High School Video Production Students Give Back
Kent-Meridian Video Production students used their talents to give back to the community this fall. In
October the students filmed and edited a promotional video for the transitional housing program
sponsored by Catholic Community Services. The video, which
highlighted Katherine’s House and Rita’s House for women
transitioning out of recovery programs, played at their annual
fundraising breakfast. In November the students filmed the
Luma Guild symphony concert at Benaroya Hall.
This is the third year the students were the official
videographers for the concert. They began work with
composer Mateo Messina in April, and continued throughout
the summer and fall to prepare for the event.
The Luma Guild concert raises over $250,000 for Seattle
Children’s Hospital each year.
Kentlake High School American Sign Language (ASL) Students Perform
At a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser
Kentlake ASL third and fourth year students were asked to volunteer to be
part of the entertainment at the Breast Cancer Awareness fund raiser on
Saturday, October 24th. They performed the song "Brave" by Sara Bareilles
for the dinner. Pictured are Jacob Steyaert, Madisen Ashley, Dawson
Wallace, Ashley Sutherland, and Sydney Swift.
The entire sixth period class of third and fourth year students performed the
same song at a school assembly on Friday, October 23 for the entire Kentlake
Student body.
Little Chargers Visit Carpinito Brother’s Farm School
On October 27, Kentridge High School’s The Little Charger
Preschool along with the preschool interns attended a
fieldtrip to Carpinito Brother’s Farm School.
The
children
enjoyed
a fun day
learning
about sustainable farming. They also enjoyed the farm
animals, rubber duck races, hay maze and a tractor ride
around the farm.
It was a beautiful day and the kids all had a great time.
Kentridge High School Coffee Cart Members Trained and Ready to Serve
2015-16 Coffee Club members at Kentridge High
School have been trained as Barista in hand-crafting
hot and cold beverages.
They are looking forward to working at the coffee
cart for Parent-Teacher Conferences in November
and showing off their skills in making delicious and
creative beverages.
Quote of the Quarter
“You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you
choose.”
~Dr. Seuss