2013 Report to the Community - Monroe Public Schools

Monroe High has 4 of nation's top scholars
Another indication that all schools - elementary, middle &
high schools - are heading in the right direction ... UP
Devon Johnson
Maltby Elementary
& Hidden River Middle
Danielle Latimore
Salem Woods
Elementary &
Monroe Middle
Kathryn Dunham
Joined MHS in 2009
F
our Monroe High School students placed
in the top 3.5% of the nation with scores
they earned on the Preliminary SAT/
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) and have been
named Commended Scholars in the National Merit
Scholarship Program.
MHS seniors Devon Johnson, Danielle
Latimore, Kathryn Dunham and Tiffany Ohlsen are
among the top approximately 50,000 of the more
than 1.5 million students who take the Preliminary
Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) annually. Monroe
High has a graduation rate of almost 84% for
students within four years and more than 90%
when students are allowed additional time to
complete requirements.
“I feel very honored,” says Johnson. “I’m
really happy about it.” Johnson began her
education at Maltby Elementary before moving up
to Hidden River Middle School. She got a head start
on senior year by completing her Culminating
Challenge, a graduation requirement, on optometry
in summer school. Her own optometrist, Dr. Kevin
Hirano, allowed Johnson to shadow the doctor for a
day. “It was ‘eye opening’ to see the different
issues people come in for,” she jokes.
Johnson plans to be an optometrist. She is
taking calculus and statistics, and keeps busy with
tennis, band, and “a lot of clubs.”
Latimore is also taking a heavy workload
including four Advanced Placement (AP) classes
this year. “It’s really fun,” she says. “I like all of
my classes, and the homework is not as bad as
junior year.” She started public school at Salem
Woods Elementary School and continued at
Monroe Middle School. Latimore plays varsity
volleyball, rides horses and is involved in 4H.
Latimore is competing in track and field this
spring.
“I’m just embracing all the senior moments and
having as good a year as I can,” she comments. She
is leaning toward a major in science or math.
“This is pretty awesome,” says Dunham, who
joined MHS in 2009 after attending Monroe
Christian School on Main Street. Dunham spent the
summer in Costa Rica studying Spanish.
“Whatever job I end up having, I want to travel,”
she comments. She is taking the rigorous AP
Spanish class along with AP Calculus, and AP
Biology this year. She serves as Vice President of
Future Farmers of America (FFA), and is in 4H,
Science Club and Key Club.
“This is a great honor,” says Ohlsen. “It shows
that the hard work I have put into studying has
paid off.”
And she is still studying and keeping busy by
taking three AP classes this year, running cross
country in the fall, playing basketball this winter
and now participating in track this spring. Ohlsen is
an alumni of Salem Woods Elementary School and
Monroe Middle School. Her eye is on a career in a
medical field or bio-engineering.
AnnualMHS
MHSplant
plantsale
saleopens
open on
Friday,
Annual
in every
May on
every
3-5 pm,
10 am-3
Friday,
3-5and
pm,Saturday,
and Saturday,
10 pm
amin-3May.
pm
2013 Monroe FFA Plant Sale
2013
Featuring 12” Fuchsia and Mixed Hanging Baskets, Patio Containers,
6” Perennials, 4” Perennials and Herbs and Pony Packs Annuals and
Veggies, 4” Annuals, Tomatoes, and House Plants, and $1 Annuals,
Veggies, and Perennials
2
Repor t
to our
Community
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Location: Monroe HS Greenhouse
17001 Tester Rd Monroe, WA 98272
PAID
Friday Hours: 3 - 5 p.m. on May 3, 10, 17, 24
Saturday Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on May 4, 11, 18, 25
360.804.2500
Monroe, WA
Permit #20
Salem Woods
Elementary
& Monroe Middle
Open Every Friday and Saturday in May
www.monr
ednet.edu
.monrooe.w
e.wednet.edu
POSTAL CUSTOMER
ECRWSS
Tiffany Ohlsen
200 East Fremont, Monroe, WA 98272
P
ungent aromas of greenery, sweet
scents of blossoms and the tang of
warm, moist air assault the senses as
visitors enter Monroe High School's
greenhouse. Light from the clear roof
floods the rows and rows of pots
that fill the area in preparation for the program’s
annual plant sale. But something is missing ahh, it’s the smell of soil.
With the help of a $10,000 Entrepreneur
Award grant from Washington STEM Center,
Monroe High’s horticulture program has added
five hydroponics tables and hand-held devices to
aid in field research and data-tracking. Instead of
using traditional soil, hydroponics use soil-less
media such as clay balls or perlite for growing
plants and food.
“This expands what we think of as a
traditional core program,” says Dr. Fran Mester,
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and
Learning. “It’s the wave of the future – another
way to grow food, the notion of organic, of
sustainable and the possibility of partnering
with businesses in the area that do
hydroponics.”
Students track growth rates, light and
temperature in the greenhouse on hand-held
devices so that they can easily call up spread
sheets and reports and manage their data similar
to those working in this field.
“I had heard about hydroponics briefly but
really didn’t understand it until the first bench
arrived this summer,” Megan Kemery, MHS 12th
grader. “There is definitely more control about
the amount of nutrients that can be introduced.
The plants are growing faster and seem livelier.”
After starting her horticulture studies as a
sophomore, Kemery explored the field as a
possible career and made it the focus of her
Culminating Challenge project. She job shadowed
staff at HerbCo in Duvall, a company that grows
herbs hydroponically for retail. “It was
definitely very cool how many plants could be
grown in such a small place and how fast the
plants could grow,” she said. Assembling the
first of the MHS hydroponic tables was her
senior project.
A former student who now attends the
University of Washington showed Hitchcock
how to set up a small hydroponic system in a
Rubbermaid clothes storage box. “She grows
lettuce, basil, sage, cilantro and fresh kale,” says
Hitchcock. “This is why I wrote the grant, to
help students learn to create and design their
own small systems after learning about the deep
water system.”
In response to the push at the national level,
Monroe educators have been working diligently
to expand teaching and learning in science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas
for all K-12 students.
“Many students in my class feel they don’t
succeed in STEM classes, but when they get
involved in the greenhouse and find a passion for
growing plants, it changes their perception. Then
they don’t shy away from other science classes.
It’s a way to hone in on students’ STEM
Planting STEM seed
$10,000 grant cultivates MHS students'
study of hydroponic growing techniques
identity – how they feel about STEM courses,”
says horticulture teacher Alison Hitchcock.
“We are helping our teachers understand all that
is available,” says Mester. “We want to connect
students with all the career possibilities and
encourage them to participate.”
High school students have a wealth of
opportunities to engage their curiosity in
science and math options. New classes in
zoology, environmental science and marine
biology are drawing interest. Cell biotechnology
and bioethics classes have increased in response
to the demand. Students have increased math
options as well, with honors classes, discrete
math (a problem-solving course) and Advanced
Placement statistics.
Third graders from across the school system
collect water samples and use microscopes to
study them. After gathering specimens, they study
the intricate life cycle of plants, insects and other
animals in the wetlands system while learning how
wetlands impact our lives and our water quality.
All this took place right down the road at the new
Brightwater Center, an education and community
center at the Brightwater Clean-Water Treatment
Facility in Bothell.
Monroe students have traditionally taken a
wetlands field trip as part of the 3rd grade science
curriculum. The new center is providing a rich indepth experience. “The students were so amazed,”
comments Rachelle Butz, Assistant Director of
Elementary Education. “And parents on the field
trip were amazed at the level of learning they were
able to perform with their students.”
Classroom teachers lay the groundwork for the
field trip and a team from Brightwater visits to
prepare students for the hands-on field research
they do on-site.
“At 3rd grade, students are very concrete in
their thinking,” says Butz. “The things they don’t
have immediate contact with are abstract.”
Connecting classroom learning with hands-on
learning in the real world has an enormous impact.
Post field trip visits from Brightwater educators
further help connect the learning to the students’
homes and daily lives, showing them how to
identify wetlands in their neighborhoods."
Expanding middle school students' options
Brightwater was also the site of a field trip for
middle school teachers, who visited as learners to
further develop their knowledge and skill in
teaching science. “Educators on site taught them
more about how to do field research,” says
Mester, “And how the current notion of inquiry
and design is connected to field research. How
do we capture data? What are we looking at?
How does field research differ from controlled
experiments in a lab?”
Fifty middle school students attended a
field trip to the Central Sound Science &
Technology Fair in Bellevue – just to look.
Competition at the fair is open to high school
students. The field trip was on a Saturday,
and many parents were also able to attend.
“We wanted to show the students what they
could do in the future, so they could
understand that what is happening is within
their reach,” Mester comments.
Sponsored by Intel, the fair offers an
opportunity for students to work with mentors
from businesses and industry and to earn
scholarships. Entrants can also move on to state
and international competitions. “This was a
great experience networking for students and
teachers,” says Mester.
All 7th graders are now required to take a DigiTools class, which combines computer use,
internet safety and understanding of basic
programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and
PowerPoint, to give them a head start as they
move forward. “These are skills they will need
to use in high school and throughout their lives,”
says Debora Koenig, Monroe High teacher
assigned to Career and Technical programs.
Learning Expo showcases breadth of STEM
Featuring the work of more than 200 young
people in grades 4-8, Monroe’s Learning Expo
was held at Monroe High School on May 1.
Students demonstrated their STEM learning in
areas including robotics, culinary arts, cellular
bio-technology and horticulture. Many high
school students are also involved with program
displays to raise awareness of all the
opportunities available and the level of work
being done in class.
A few highlights of the 2013 Learning Expo:
„ Hidden River students displayed the
antics of their robotic dog and their
workings of a solar powered generator
„ Chain Lake students offered a review
of the effect of soil types on grass
growth
„ Park Place students engineered tsunami
walls and magnetic motors
„ High school students from Advanced
Placement calculus showed how to
calculate the volume of turtles and
cakes
„ Fryelands students demonstrated tests
of air flow and wind tunnels.
“This was not a competition,” says Mester.
“The focus was to show the work students and
Why is the focus on STEM learning important?
Washington state is 4th in the nation with the number of high-tech companies, but ranks
46th in the number of STEM graduates. By 2014, 77% of family wage jobs will require
education or training beyond high school.
The benefits
• Improving STEM education breaks down one of the biggest barriers for lowincome and minority students to graduation and readiness for college and
work.
• Increasing opportunities for STEM learning can improve the chances of postsecondary success for all students.
• Equipping students with STEM skills will prepare them for their high-demand
jobs of the future.
• Strengthening the quality of teaching in STEM subjects will improve student
learning in other subjects as well.
Source: The Washington STEM Center
3
Using handheld technology, MHS horticulture students Diego Barbosa, Connor Broman,
Alejandro Ramirex and Megan Kemery record data directly from the greenhouse on the
progress of plants grown in new hydroponic tables purchased with a $10,000 grant from
Washington STEM, a group promoting science, technology, engineering and math.
teachers are doing at school so everyone can see
all ages.” And people were amazed. “One high
school teacher was blown away,” Mester adds. ‘I
didn’t know students this young could do this',
she said. Parents didn’t know their children were
doing this.”
“I was impressed with how much students
had learned from the experience of doing the
projects,” says Patty Conner, Grades 6-8
Science Coordinator, and Expo coordinator.
“And almost every student could apply his/her
learning to a real life situation.”
What’s ahead?
New “Next Generation” national standards
for science education will be coming out soon, to
replace the previous Core Standards, which were
adopted by a majority of states. (See http://
www.nextgenscience.org/next-generationscience-standards/ for more information).
The emphasis is on scientific method, with a
major emphasis on inquiry and design that
focuses on the process of curiosity. “How do
you find new cures, or DNA? This is what we
need in a highly technical world,” according to
Mester.
Monroe educators have many resources to
draw upon as they continue efforts to expand
STEM learning. The district is an active member
of The Washington Alliance for Better Schools, a
collaborative of school districts that works to
improve student learning and help all students
graduate college and be career ready.
The Washington STEM Center is also a
tremendous resource in addition to the MHS
grant. It is a nonprofit organization that works
to “advance innovation, equity and excellence”
in STEM teaching and learning and includes
leadership representatives from businesses
such as Boeing, Microsoft and McKinstry, as
well as organizations such as the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation and Partnership for
Learning.
“We are truly bringing science to life for our
students,” says Butz. “We are showing them it
is not a removed learning in a textbook, but it
is all around us.”
“What we are doing in the classroom is
really applicable to what the students will be
doing later in their careers or everyday life,”
says Conner. “We are making an effort to make
those connections with them on a daily basis,
and each year we do a better job with that.”
“Monroe Public Schools is striving to
connect our schools to the larger world and
leverage resources with other agencies and
businesses, rather than thinking we can do it all
ourselves,” says Mester.
“We have a large vision of how technology
is changing the world, and how schools need to
accommodate what we do to make sure we are
in alignment.”
12
2
From your superintendent ...
Local learning still going in right direction - UP!
More work needed to prepare all
students for Common Core, future
Progress has no finish line. When I read this line in a recent newspaper article, it was not in
reference to education, but it fits. As a nation and as a community, we are constantly looking for
better ways to prepare young people with life-necessary skills and to be good citizens. Monroe
is making progress and laying a strong foundation for the new Common Core standards taking
effect in the 2014-15 school year.
Common Core is the result of cooperation between 45 states to give young people in
kindergarten through 12th grade a consistent, clear understanding across state lines of what
students are expected to learn, so public schools and families know what is needed to help
them. The standards are based on today's global economy and are significantly more rigorous.
With so many states on the same page, there will be greater accountability across the
country in assessing the success of public education as well as benefit from great purchasing
power for materials. A set of assessments are also being prepared by the Common Core group.
In Monroe more work is needed to ensure students are ready to meet this new challenge. As
you can see in the data below, elementary math and reading continue to make a difference setting
a strong foundation in the early years for greater academic success in middle and high school.
Math scores improved again this year after double digit increases in 2011. School leaders follow
the 3% rule when assessing the significance of improvement or decline.
Monroe's newest adoption in Language Arts for grades 6-9 was published to help youth
meet the Common Core's higher bar. In addition, the elementary math materials were written
by one of the Common Core authors. For the short term, we are straddling both Common Core
and the current state learning targets.
With the continued commitment from our students, families, staff and our community, I am
confident Monroe's schools will maintain their momentum in the right direction - Up!
Monroe High tops
state, nation on SAT
More and more Monroe High School
students are demonstrating that they are
career and college ready based on the latest
ACT and SAT scores. Monroe High has a
graduation rate of almost 84% for students
within four years and more than 90% when
students are allowed an additional year to
complete requirements.
Several MHS juniors and seniors took
two tests - the SAT and the ACT required
for college entrance. The test taken is
determined by which college the young
person is interested in attending.
On the SAT, the average score for
reading, math and writing are all ABOVE
the state average. Washington's combined
average SAT is the highest in the nation —
SAT Trend for MHS - Math
tied with Vermont. Our state had the
highest score in math, tied for second in
writing and was third in the nation in
reading.
On the SAT, scores range from 200800. Thirty five MHS students scored
between 600 and 790 on the reading
section, 24 scored in the same range for
math and 25 scored in that range for
writing. Fourteen students scored in that
range for all three subjects, while 13
scored in that range for two out of the
three areas.
The average score on the ACT for
MHS students increased in English, math
and science. The scores for English and
math are at the state average while the
science score is above the state average.
All MHS sophomores took the PSAT
this fall and results provided critical
information to students and their families
as the young people plan to take the ACT
or SAT in the near future.
600
500
Dr. Ken Hoover
Superintendent, Monroe Public Schools
2012 State Tests Scores show promise
The chart below shows improvement achieved in students meeting standard over 2011
as measured by the state's Measurement of Student Progress, High School Proficiency
and End of Course tests. In the fall, scores from 2013 testing will be announced.
For more details on state tests please visit http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us.
4th Grade Reading
+13.3%
5th Grade Science
+18.7%
400
Monroe
State
2007
504
531
2008
522
533
2009
517
531
2010
541
532
2011
537
529
2012
549
530
SAT Trend for MHS - Reading
600
500
7th Grade Reading
+26.7%
400
5th Grade Math scores up at all elementary schools
10th Grade Sky Valley Writing Scores
+14.0%
Monroe High Algebra scores
+17.3%
Sky Valley Geometry scores
+20%
Leaders named School Board of Distinction
Monroe’s School Board was named a
Board of Distinction this year according to
high standards set by the Washington State
School Directors’ Association. The fivemember elected board of directors for the
7,425-student Monroe Public Schools
received the award at the annual conference
of the association. Monroe School Board
directors are Tom MacIntyre, president; Jim
Scott, vice president; Greg Accetturo, Nancy
Truitt Pierce and Katy Woods.
“This is nice recognition for our hard work
and for our focus on the role of the board in
areas of vision and policy for the district.
We address the "what" questions and charge
staff with the operations and the “how”
questions,” said Tom MacIntyre, president
of Monroe’s Board.
The annual award is chosen through an
application process that involves essays and
evidence of collaboration, high expectations
for all students, providing facilities and
learning materials, measuring progress and
communicating with the public — all part of
the standards set by the organization. The
23
honor goes to the boards that score 80
percent or higher by an independent review
panel.
“These boards have excelled as school
governance teams,” said Dr. Jonelle Adams,
the association’s executive director. “They
provided extensive documentation and our
evaluation was rigorous. They are exceptional
school boards.”
In all, 23 school boards were recognized in
three categories according to overall student
enrollment. Other school districts in
Monroe’s mid-sized category receiving the
Board of Distinction honor were Anacortes,
Camas, Chimacum, Franklin Pierce,
Lakewood, Tumwater, West Valley of
Spokane, Sunnyside and White River.
Ferndale School Board was selected as the
School Board of the Year for the mid-sized
district category.
Founded in 1922, the Washington State
School Directors’ Association is comprised of
all 1,477 school board members from
Washington’s 295 school districts.
2
Monroe
State
2007
511
526
2008
520
526
2009
535
524
2010
518
524
2011
525
523
2012
528
519
2010
505
508
2011
514
508
2012
517
503
SAT Trend for MHS - Writing
600
500
400
Monroe
State
2007
489
510
2008
503
509
2009
511
507
It can't hurt to
ASK
Monroe Public Schools
helps families with
questions about growth and development of infants, toddlers or
young children. Helping children early can be the key to their
future success in school and as an adult. Screening, evaluation
and referrals are part of school services.
Anyone can call with child development questions
360.804.2606
Off to
a good
start
Frank Wagner Elementary
School's Dual Language
program already has a
waiting list for September
as families and students
rave about the success of
its first year.
The district’s new Dual Language
Program started at Frank Wagner Elementary
in September with two classes of
kindergarten. Half of the 50 students are
native English speakers and the other half are
native Spanish speakers. In September they
move up to the Dual Language first grade.
There is already a waiting list for next year’s
Dual Language kindergarten.
Lessons are taught in both English and
Spanish with half the day spent in each
language.
“The goal is that students will become
able to meet 5th grade standards in both
languages by the time they leave the
program,” says Frank Wagner Principal Robin
Fitch. “Research has shown that students
start to be able to write answers to
homework in both languages by about the
third grade,” Fitch continues. “After third
grade, they get better and better. Research
says part of their brain grows because of the
flexibility with language.”
Parent and Frank Wagner PTA President
Gena Weeks reports that her daughter
Carsyn, who enrolled in the program in
Michael Spencer and Juan Ruiz-Obregon work together on a writing assignment in one of two Dual Language classes at Frank Wagner
Elementary School that started in September.
September, is already speaking Spanish at
home. “She pipes up and says, ‘I know how
to say that in Spanish’” says Weeks. “She
starts to read Spanish words and
instructions. Her reading in both Spanish and
English is really good.”
Monroe’s program is modeled after Dual
Language programs in Northshore and Mount
Vernon, which have been working for 6-8
years. Both English and Spanish-speaking
parents and helpers volunteer in the
classroom, and decodable readers and other
books are available in both languages.
“Carsyn brings home a lot of books in
both languages,” says Weeks. “She likes to
read them to us.”
“The goal for this program is to provide
the best possible future for these students,”
says Fitch. “Students who are bi-literate will
have so many opportunities - school
districts, the FBI, Microsoft. All kinds of
doors will be open for them.”
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to be
fluent in two languages,” says Weeks. “It
gives them a huge advantage, especially
starting so young.”
Another advantage is the forming of social
ties. After a classmate from a Spanishspeaking family visited a student’s home one
afternoon, the 5-year-old reported the next
day during the Dual Language class that “We
played. I’ve never had someone speak
Spanish inside my house. And practiced both!
(i.e. Spanish and English).”
Maltby's Montessori provides another option for students
Expanding to add two more classrooms in
September to serve children in grades K-4
Monroe Public Schools will open a second
and third Montessori classroom at Maltby
Elementary in 2013-14. Already a waiting list
is in place of families that want to be part of
this new venture.
“The feedback so far is very positive,”
says Maltby principal Sonja Hoeft. “100% of
this year’s class is moving up.”
The Montessori Method is an educational
approach developed early in the 20th century,
which focuses on providing children
independence and freedom within limits to
learn at their own rate. In addition to the
mixed-age grouping, in Montessori
classrooms:
• Students choose their activity from
a select range of options.
• Students work in uninterrupted
blocks of time.
• Students learn concepts from
working hands-on with specially
designed educational manipulatives,
rather than by direct instruction.
The district is committed to providing
options for students. “The strength of
Monroe Public Schools is we understand no
student fits in a box,” says Hoeft. “We try to
develop programs that meet more students’
needs.”
“What I like about Montessori is that
every child is an individual working at their
own pace, not in competition,” says Maltby
Montessori teacher Tjelle Johnson. “They
have a lot of pride in the work they produce
and what they are doing.”
“My daughter really enjoys the program,”
says Josh Searle, whose 8-year old daughter
Abigail is in 2nd grade. She attended a
Montessori program preschool through
kindergarten. “She loves the freedom at times
to be up and about and to spend long periods
of time working on things that are challenging
or of interest to her.” Searle and his wife are
both educators. “We are always interested in
looking at pedagogical approaches that work
for different kids,” he continues. “This is one
area we have appreciated about Monroe
Public Schools: they try a number of different
approaches and opportunities for different
kids.”
They like the Montessori Method because
it gives students a broad base foundation for
approaching subjects like math and science
and developing language skills. “Not all
Montessori programs are equal,” Searle notes.
“They rely on the wisdom and training of the
teachers. Mrs. Johnson is a terrific gem for
us.”
Johnson herself was a Montessori student
from early preschool through 6th grade, and
her mother is a Montessori teacher in public
schools, so this was a natural fit for her.
“The best part of Montessori is
independence within a framework,” she says.
“Students are inspired to learn, engaged in
materials. It is the teacher’s job to engage
them.”
Scout Cudaback, age 6, has attended a
Montessori school since she was 3. “When
we heard about the program at Maltby, we
were really excited,” recalls her mother, Patsy
Cudaback. “The school does an amazing job.
It offers more than private (school). They
State award, again, for improved graduation rates
Sky Valley Education
Center joins the
excellence category for
helping all kids graduate
A journey, not a race is how Sky Valley
Education Center Director Karen Rosencrans
describes the success of her students in
earning a high school diploma.
Sky Valley Education Center was recently
recognized by state leaders with the
Washington Achievement Award for the work
staff is doing to help more young people earn
a high school diploma. Monroe High School
was recognized for excellence in this area in
2011.
"Earning a diploma has never been a race,"
said Rosencrans. "We believe that with
support, caring and resources all young
people will be successful."
Sky Valley Education Center's extended
graduation rate improved over the previous
year by almost 10% for the Class of 2010,
the last year data is available.
This is the rate young people earn a
diploma when given additional time to
complete credits. Sky Valley Education
Center's rate is 79.5% compared to the state's
rate of 78%.
Ten students from this school also earned
a two-year college degree last year in addition
to meeting stringent requirements for a high
school diploma.
Monroe Public Schools has several paths
to a high school diploma. The Class of 2012
from all of Monroe's high schools were
accepted into top ranked state and national
colleges including Stanford. Many of those
accepted also were offered generous
scholarships. In total, the students earned
more than $5.2 million in scholarship offers
3and awards.
have a great music room and library, a great
gym and playground – those things are
important for kids and their education.”
Families who enroll their children in the
Montessori program are required to attend
parenting classes to learn about the
Montessori Method and how to support
that style of learning at home.
Kindergarten is tuition-based for the fullday program consistent with other full-day
kindergarten classes in the district. Parents
may volunteer if they wish. Classes at
Maltby are capped at 23 students. Students
in the public Montessori program at Maltby
have the added benefit of access to music, PE
and library classes, as well as the
playground.
“We have a great school district that is
open to starting programs such as
Montessori and Dual Language at Frank
Wagner,” says Cudaback. “We have excellent
educators out there. I’m always impressed
with the quality of teachers and the quality
of caring they put into their teaching.”
Report
to the
Community
is a publication of
Monroe Public Schools
Superintendent, Dr. Ken Hoover
Board of Directors
Tom MacIntyre, President
Jim Scott, Vice President
Greg Accetturo,
Nancy Truitt Pierce
and Katy Woods
Editor, Rosemary O'Neil
[email protected]
3
4
Ohlsen selected as
Player of the Year
Officials recognize Bearcat player & coach
for respect and sportsmanship all season
Photo courtesy of Dan Armstrong
Snohomish County Women's Basketball Officials Association selected Monroe High
senior Tiffany Ohlsen as the 2013 Player of the Year for her positive attitude and
sportsmanship. Her coach, MHS teacher Matt Chalfant, was selected Coach of the
Year by the same group. This is Chalfant's first year as head coach of the team.
Applause
Excellent ensemble - Congratulations
to MHS musicians Forrest Arnold,
Evan Wang, Audrey Brackin, Rachel
Lee, Brianna Parmentier and Jackson
Stewart for being selected to compete
at the statewide instrumental ensemble
contest at Central Washington
University.
Key in all-NW club - Eric Grewal will
serve as the treasurer for the Pacific
Northwest District Key Club. He is the
first Bearcat to serve in a district office
for Key Club, a student community
service organization affiliated with
Kiwanis.
Pride of Park Place - Park Place
Middle School principal JoAnn
Carbonetti is Principal of the Year for
the Sno Isle Region of the Association
of Washington Middle Level
Principals. She was nominated for her
dedication and advocacy for children.
Honoring authors - Sixth graders
Damiana Bruno and Meagan Tumy are
semifinalists in the state's Letters for
Literature contests. Their letters to
James Dashner and "Lemony Snicket",
respectively, were selected out of
3,400 entries and now go on to the
finals.
Shutterbug prize - Monroe High's
Gabrielle Chase is a finalist in the 33rd
Annual College and High School
Photography Contest sponsored by
Nikon. Her photo was selected out of
more than 16,700 entries and will be
published.
54
Tiffany Ohlsen was named Player of the
Year by the Snohomish County Women’s
Basketball Officials Association for 2013. The
award is given to the
player that is
respectful, cooperative
with officials, has a
great attitude towards
players and stresses
the importance of
sportsmanship
throughout the season.
“I feel extremely
honored,” says
Matt Chalfant
Ohlsen, whose sister
Suzanna earned this
MHS Girls
award two years ago.
Basketball Coach
“It feels great to
follow in Suzanna’s footsteps and get that
positive recognition.”
According to Ohlsen, the sisters had
different goals for their basketball careers. "She
wanted to play in college, and I have played for
the love of the game.” Suzanna now plays for
Seattle Pacific University. Older brother Tim,
who will graduate this year from the University
of Pittsburgh, also played basketball for
Monroe. Her enjoyment of the game obviously
showed to the officials.
“Tiffany came to practice every day with a
workmanlike attitude and to every game with a
smile,” says Matt Chalfant, head coach for the
MHS girls basketball team. “She never
questioned anything the coaching staff asked
her to do. If we asked her to do anything for
the team, she would do it.” He adds, “Tiffany
is a person of character and integrity, and is
well-deserving of this award.”
A teacher at Monroe High School in the
Special Education Department during the day,
Chalfant, who was named Coach of the Year
this year, is the team’s fourth coach in four
Hawk Hall recognizes well-rounded
students at Hidden River Middle
Preparing youth to be good citizens is
what our founding leaders had in mind when
public schools were formed. Of course,
skills like math and reading are important in
becoming a productive member of society,
but Hidden River Middle School leaders
Linda Boyle and Joe Delp believe there is
more to it.
"Some of the best parts of what kids are
learning happens outside of the school day."
Boyle says.
With the generosity of HRM parent Jon
Langston, his father Perry Langston and
funding from the Monroe Public Schools
Foundation, Hidden River students now can
see how their peers are putting those school
skills to work as part of life in new display
cases above the entrance to the school's
Commons known as "Hawk Hall".
Eighth grader Kassie Counsell's face is
there highlighting the many hours she
volunteers at Regency Care Center on Main
Street. She started going there to visit her
grandmother but soon found ways to
contribute to improve the enjoyment of those
staying there.
Kassie's display is next to one for Alan
Perez who discovered a passion for running
after a stint on the school's Cross Country
team. He joined a community track club and
has won medals in local, regional and national
events for long distance running.
In addition Emilee Simicich is featured for
gymnastic meets, Maria Melnichuk for
volunteering, Teegan Lowe for competitive
skiing and Linel Mullendore for showing
horses.
Nominations are open for new honorees
from students and staff. Hawk Hall displays
are made by staff members Brena Brady and
Janet Smith, then given back to the students as
a reminder of what it takes to be good citizens.
years, and each one has had a different
offense. “This year was definitely a learning
experience for all of us,” says Ohlsen. “We
were at a slight disadvantage because it was
like we were starting from scratch. But I
don’t think there was anyone who didn’t
enjoy the year.”
Ohlsen has played with the same other
first string players on the team since the 5th
grade. “It’s nice because we all know each
other’s tendencies, where everybody will be
on the court – almost like we can read each
other’s minds,” she says. “We play a lot
looser when we are all on the court.”
She loves the team aspect of the game.
“They become your family because you
spend so much time with them,” she says.
She has played select basketball until this
year. She was captain of the cross country
team for two years. “I love sports,” she says.
“It is a great area in life, where you can try
and fail. I am a perfectionist and hate failing.
It’s made me a stronger person dealing with
adversity through failing in sports: how to
hold your head up, how to deal with things in
life.”
Watching her brother and sister play helped
her form that attitude. “I saw how hard they
worked, how much extra time they spent
going to the gym, shooting hoops,” she
recalls. “It was very inspirational to me, and I
learned you get out of things what you put
into them.”
Ohlsen is looking forward to college and
plans to study biomedical engineering. Her
Culminating Challenge involved working with
a graduate student at the University of
Washington to develop a more efficient
defibrillator. She has applied to Columbia,
Yale and Washington & Lee, as well as the
University of Washington. “My sister was
hoping for SPU, but it doesn’t have
biomedical engineering.”
Kassie Counsell and Alan Perez show off
the new Hawk Hall.
Can you spell bunyanesque? Sky Valley's Ryan Garvan can
with 70 other middle-schoolers in Seattle’s
Town Hall. Garvan attends classes in the parent
partnership program at Sky Valley Education
Center (SVEC). This program recognizes the
parent as the child’s primary teacher with the
staff of SVEC being expert partners in the
design and
implementation of
the learning plans.
Garvan won the
Sky Valley Scripps
Spelling Bee two
years in a row to
qualify for the
King-Snohomish
Regional contest.
He said repeat
participation
doesn’t make it any
easier to compete as
each year there are
Sky Valley Education Center's Ryan Garvan
4 took 3rd place in a
new lists of words.
Discipline. Pentathlon. Rococo. Japery.
Cyanosis. These are just a handful of the
words Ryan Garvan successfully spelled at
the recent King-Snohomish Regional Spelling
Bee to earn 3rd place. This was his second
time to compete in the regional bee along
Spelling Bee against top spellers from King & Snohomish County.
“I was nervous,” says Garvan.
He studied for the bee, reviewing the Spell
It list published by Scripps for the
competition as well as the three-volume
Verbomania spelling lists. “My parents
tested me on a lot of words,” he says.
The competition this year was fierce and
lasted four hours. After accurately spelling
discipline, vaccine, promethean, bunyanesque
and more, Garvan was finally stumped by the
word “ostreiform,” which means shaped like
an oyster. He missed it by just one letter.
“People were impressed that I spelled
bunyanesque,” he says. He asked for the
definition, which helped him determine that
the word was not a derivative of “bunion,”
but rather of Paul Bunyan, the lumberjack
figure in North American folklore.
Garvan is already making plans to compete
in next year’s bee. It will be his last year of
eligibility. “I like spelling,” he says.
Complete
makeover
Fresh & local replace canned and
processed on school meal menus
Gone are the meals many of us remember
been a national movement towards creating
from our days in school. No longer do the
fresh and healthy school meals. A recent
meals rely on canned vegetables and fruits and
study shows that school nutrition programs
white bread. Today’s meal program offers a
are working to further improve the nutritional
variety of tasty and interesting meals
quality of school meals.
featuring whole grains and fresh fruits and
Chartwells School Dining Services was
vegetables. Hot lunch has undergone a major
hired by Monroe School District several
makeover at Monroe Public Schools in the
years ago to manage their food service
past few years.
program. Following the company motto of
Elementary school
students now choose
between baked penne
“Seeing how happy the kids are when
pasta, bean and cheese
burritos, and teriyaki
they see someone has taken time to
dippers on fluffy
prepare something especially for them
brown rice. Turkey hot
dogs and lean beef
and fresh, really makes my day."
hamburgers are now
- Dana Daniel, Director, Monroe Dining Services
served on whole grain
buns. Favorites like
chicken nuggets and
fries are now baked. There are even sweet
Eat, Learn, Live, they promote student
potato fries. Long bars of fresh fruits and
wellness through offering a financially wellvegetables tempt and stretch the palate along
managed, nutritious meal program. “We
with purple cauliflower and baked garbanzo
provide the most nutritious meals we can
beans. Only 1% or skim milk is available.
afford to put into our schools,” says Terri
Middle schoolers are greeted each day with
Lloyd-Jones, West Region Dietitian. “And we
freshly prepared chef salads and chicken
hire people with culinary background and
Caesar salads in addition to regular menu
passion, who care about kids, to feed them.”
items. Entrees include chicken Alfredo pasta,
Under the leadership of Dana Daniel,
beef soft taco, or BBQ pulled pork.
Director of Dining Services, Chartwells has
Teens at
been working diligently to make changes in
MHS might see
Monroe and offer meals to students that are
a Vietnamese
both attractive and nutritious.
banh mi
Daniel has extensive culinary knowledge,
sandwich, a
which she applies to her meal planning. She
kind of
trained as a professional chef and worked in
Vietnamese
high-end catering for a number of years before
street food
moving into school food services for the past
with pork and
dozen years.
pickled
vegetables on
Appealing to students
crusty baguette
“I’m happiest when I’m out working
bread, or
hands on with staff, creating new things like
Salem Woods 5th
Korean mandu,
doing Asian cuisine bars,” Daniel says. Her
grader Brooke Scott
pork and beef
biggest rewards are the “thank you’s” from
creates Sesame
filling for
kids. Seeing how happy the kids are when
Street's 'Grover' from
potstickers,
they see someone has taken time to prepare
fresh berries.
served over
something especially for them and fresh really
sticky rice with
makes my day,” Daniel says.
sesame garlic fresh broccoli. Healthy and
It is up to each school kitchen manager to
fresh sandwiches and salads are available
create something their students would like to
every day.
eat. Daniel focuses on using fresh and local
These dishes are all made as much as
vegetables and exposing the students to foods
possible from fresh and local ingredients in
they may not have eaten … ever. For
the district kitchens by the staff of
instance, in the fall she offered a fresh harvest
Chartwells Dining Services. Nationwide,
roasted vegetable medley of butternut squash,
Chartwells manages the kitchens of more than
sweet potatoes and parsnips with the annual
500 public school districts serving about
turkey feast, rather than the traditional
2.5 million students. Their work is governed
canned green beans.
by the National School Lunch and Breakfast
At the high school, students had the
Program and requires strict regulatory
opportunity to pick out a variety of
compliance.
vegetables such as bok choy, fresh kale and
mushrooms, like a Mongolian grill style
Cost-effective and nutritious
restaurant, for an Asian stir fry bar. Kitchen
Responding to concerns about obesity and
staff walk the talk and often dress in chef
nourishment in the nation’s children, there has
coats while they cook the stir fry in woks.
Hey, did you know?
Meals in Monroe's public schools feature:
• All bun items offered on whole grain buns
• Brown rice offered exclusively at the elementary level
• All schools offer a fresh fruits and vegetable bar, featuring local
products when possible
• 95% of bread served is whole grains. For some items, like pizza
crusts, white whole wheat is used, so it still looks like white but
contains the whole grain fiber and nutrition.
• Vegetarian meals are available and are indicated with a “V” on
the menu.
• Only lowfat or nonfat milk is served
• No high fructose corn syrup is served
• 0 trans fats are served
• Protein choices are lean
• Although peanut products are not available, sun butter, made
from sunflowers, is offered as an alternative
• Two choices are always available for the elementary main meal
with three deli choices
Monroe High School senior Miranda Gable works along side Salem Woods 5th grader
Noah Wilson during Chartwells recent Kids Can Cook event where youthful chefs try
their hand at creating healthy and beautiful snacks. Gable volunteered for this event as
she studies Family and Consumer Science at MHS.
“The staff are excited about doing this,”
says Daniel. “They care about what the kids
are eating.”
At the elementary schools, students look
forward to color theme salad bars once a
month. “The purple bar is my favorite,” says
Daniel. “We’ll have purple cauliflower, purple
potatoes, beets, and plums. The kids get
exposed to variety that way.”
In addition to school meals, Daniel and her
crew offer up special events such as "Kids in
the Kitchen", where elementary students try
their hand at creating healthy recipes and
"World Food Day", where families participate
together in learning about new nutritious food
with fun activities like creating food art.
Offering the food is one half of the
challenge to feed children a healthy diet. The
other part is education to encourage students
to make healthy choices. Research shows that
school lunch does not contribute to obesity.
In fact, students who eat at school are more
likely to gain weight over the summer.
“We do everything we can at this end,”
says Daniel. “But partnering with families is
crucial for true healthy eating habits.”
Eating is academic
“Research shows that kids who eat
breakfast, either at home or at school, do
better academically, better emotionally and
have fewer trips to the office than kids who
don’t eat in the morning,” says Daniel.
“There is definitely a link between breakfast
and learning.”
Daniel and her staff have worked hard to
transform and expand breakfast at school.
Every Wednesday homemade pancakes or
French toast are served. At the high school,
students also can choose waffles. Breakfasts
from around the world, from different regions
in the U.S. and omelette bars are also features
of the program.
Currently an average of 550 breakfast and
2,150 lunches are served to the more the
almost 7,500 students in Monroe schools, and
Daniel would like to see the program grow.
Parents are always welcome to join their child
for lunch to see up close how the nutrition and
options have changed as well as enjoy a meal
that is easy on the wallet. Adult lunches are
just $4.25. Those additional revenues provide
support for the district program.
Salem Woods 4th grader raises
funds so her friend can ride along
Although she is
only in the 4th
grade, Salem Woods
Elementary School
student Cassidy
Miller has already
learned what it
means to be a
friend. This past
Cassidy Miller
year Cassidy raised
more than $1,000
to buy a special
bike trailer for her friend, Jayda Gould.
Her friendship with Jayda began when they
were students together in the 1st grade at
Cherry Valley Elementary in Duvall. Jayda has
significant special needs and is unable to
participate in many activities or to speak.
“I met her at lunch time,” says Cassidy. “I
started to write her lots of notes.”
“Cassidy was just drawn to meet Jayda,”
says Cassidy’s mom, Shannon Miller. “I have
never seen this type of complete comfort
being around a child with special needs who
can’t easily communicate. Most people tend
to shy away.”
Jayda’s mom, Kerry Gould, saw all the
notes coming home from school and figured
out that Cassidy’s parents were her former
classmates from Tolt High School in
Carnation.
Both girls changed schools, but Cassidy
kept writing. “She has stayed in contact and
is always interested in what is new with
Jayda,” says Gould.
This past spring, Cassidy discovered that
5Jayda’s mom wanted a Wike bike trailer so she
could take Jayda on bike rides.
Cassidy pet sat and weeded for neighbors,
and sold candy at her dad’s work. The Salem
Woods community provided a lot of support.
Cassidy worked for some of her teachers to
earn donations; other teachers donated.
“The principal donated for me to work in
the preschool class, and one of the secretaries
gave me $50 for cards I made,” says Cassidy.
“Cassidy is the kind of person who sees a
problem and starts working to solve it,”
comments Jaimie Pate, Cassidy’s 4th grade
teacher.
Cassidy reached her goal in August, and
ordered the trailer, and on the big day
everyone gathered. “It was like a parade going
down the street,” says Miller. Cassidy was
also able to purchase the kit that converts the
trailer to a jogging stroller. The families have
taken bike rides together and make time for
play dates.
Meanwhile, Cassidy has made friends with
another child with special needs in her class.
“She loves the Salem Woods community,”
says Miller. “She has really been welcomed
into the Life Skills class by the teacher. She is
getting all the encouragement she needs to
continue her journey.”
“Cassidy is a kind, warmhearted student
who has the most giving spirit of any child
I’ve met,” says Pate. “She has a natural
affinity for students with special needs, and I
hope her future will include making an even
greater difference in the lives of children.”
“I really like helping people,” says
Cassidy. “Maybe I will grow up to be a
special education teacher or a nurse.”
56
Congratulations to
Monroe Public Schools' Class of 2012
Earning a high school diploma is not easy.
Students are expected to successfully complete a
rigorous course of study to achieve the skills needed
to meet the demands of post-high school training and
education as well as become productive members of
our community. In addition to Monroe's requirement
of 22.5 credits, the state requires students to meet
standard in reading, writing and math as well as
complete the Culminating Challenge which includes a
project and presentation before a community panel.
In the Class of 2011, the most recent year data is
available, Monroe students' adjusted on-time
graduation rate was 83.8%. For the class of 2010 that
rose to more than 90.8% as more and more students
found success (adjusted 5-year graduation rate and
most recent data available). Earning a high school
diploma is not a timed race. What is important is
crossing the finish line!
Join us in congratulating the Class of 2012!
Tiana Renee Aaron-Watley
Carrigail Cueva Abanes
Tristan Oberon Abshire
Samantha Kay Acree
Douglas J. Adams
Emerald Jacquelyn Adams
Rehanna S. E. Ahmed
Michael Edward Ainsworth
Amanda Rae Albert
Timothy Lee Allen
Carmen Nallely Alvarez
Alex Octavia Anderson
Mikaela Kathryn Anderson
Nicholas Evan Anderson
Kody Joseph Argento
Dillon Armstrong
Randi Nicole Armstrong
Samuel Robert Askew
Ole Aurdal
Neil H. Austin
Lijung (Jenna) Bae
Shrey Bajaj
Brian Anthony Baker
James Charles Baker
Mikala Ruth Balascio
Krista Mae Balint
Marlee Rea Barker
Patrick Michael Barmon
Maria De los Angeles
Basurto Nogueda
David Lloyd Beasley
Jordan Allen Richard Beaudoin
Shane Taylor Beck
Rian Joyne Nicole Beckmyer
Emily Iola Beebe
Anthony Bender
Curt Shehlemo Bender
Shalyn Marie Benedict
Moriah Anne Biggs
Colette Michelle Bing
Tylan James Bird
Cheyanne Rose Birt
Kristina Ashley Bittner
Ashley Nicole Black
Joelle Blais
Tyler James Blettenberg
Lisa Marie Blevins
Jadia Mia Bliss
Michael Ren Bloomquist
Michael Zachary Blum
Jonathan Antoine Boillot
Isamar Bojorquez
Aaron David Bond
Austin J. Bowers
Luke Michael Boyce
Donovan Shane Boyle
Nathan William Brackin
Callie Lynn Brader
Taylor Leigh Brady
Samuel Donn Bray
Alyssa Jean Brazel
Hannah Ardelle Brewer
Christopher Michael Brinkley
Christopher Allen Brooks
Benjamin Norman Brosius
Cedric J Brown
Kayla Nicole Browne
Caleb Frances Browning
Emelie Lauren Brumbaugh
Nicole Marie Buckland
Zachary Bucklin
Megan Jayne Bull
Carl Dale Bunge
Brandon Timotheos Burke
Rebecca Erin Burnett
John Theodore Bury
Natasha Karin Bykonen
Emily Rachel Campion
Garrett Sean Carlson
Dominique Lien Caron
Hannah Leigh Carroll
7
Danielle Rosaia and Kane White are all smiles after receiving their diploma.
Spencer Carson
Karen Jennet Cartharius
Brianne Marie Casper
Katryna Elizabeth Castor
Kylie Elizabeth Cave
Joseph M Ceballos
Thomas K Cha
Laura Christine Champagne
Priscilla Ruth Sevilla Chan
Daniel Ran Chang
Kaitlynn Marie Chaput
Edgar Chavez
Howard Chen
Stacy Nicole Chevalier
Claire Rozell Chisholm
Taylor Lynn Christensen
Malia Christianson
Ana Lisa Cisheros-Nunez
Brandon Alexander Clark
Allen Gene Clawson
Samuel Lloyd Clay-Ehart
Miriah N Clem
Karisa Lynn Clifford
Desmond Joseph Cochran
Cameron Michael Paul Coleman
Kyle Lee Comer
Derek John Cook
Jessarae Mckenna Coonts
Austen David Cooper
Camille Dianne Cope
Jay Michael Corea
John Mitchell Corea
Alexis Krystyne Corsetti
Liliana Flora-Jean Cory
Catherine Chrystel Coste
Paris Lauren Counter
Scott Andrew Cragerud
Brent Alexander Crise
Tiara Marie Crooks
Winter Cross
Colton Aubrey Crouch
Brianna Christine Crowell
Spencer Earl Cruver
Robyn Maria Cypher
Raquel Marie Davalos
Alexis Lee Davidson
Alysa Davis
Christopher Reeves Davison
Terrance Jerrod Day
Tristan Peter Deniet
Claire Elizabeth Dibble
Ian Avery Dillon
Zane Avery Dingle
Paola Marcelina Dittmar
Annie Olivia Jane Dixon
Nathaniel Aaron Dominguez
Tyler Scott Douglas
Maxwell Stuart Dressel
Nathaniel James Dubell
JT Douglass Dubuque
Vannessa Artemisa Duenas
Nicole A Dunlap-Truly
Silas Callahan Dunn
Patty A Ebenal
Haley Lynn Edmonson
Brandon Lee Edwards
Danielle Marie Edwards
Garrett Lee Elias
Matthew Forest Engel
Amanda Rae Englebrick
Tate Justin Enyeart
Brandon Michael Erickson
Calliape June Ericsson
Allie Taylor Estes
Gabrielle Victoria Estrada
Zachary James Evans
Kyle David Everitt
Anthony Wayne Farnsworth
Lynzee Lee Felder
Emily Nicole Felker
Alexia Christine Finney
Shelby Marie Fitzwater
Sam Forrest Flashman
Miguel Ciano Floresca-Cravens
Tanner Nichalous Flygare
Steven Edward Fordham
Charles Henry Forrest
Mark Richard Fortune
Zachary Hunter Foulger
John Michael Freeland
Shelby Nicholl Fungone
Ryan Michael Furbush
Aaron Scott Furrer
Cristian Galicia
Marcos Antonio Galindo-Lewis
Blanca Yunuen Garcia
Ana Karen Garcia Mendoza
Samantha Kaye Gately
Jasmine Noelle Gifford
Sidnee Chandelle Glenn
Giselle Star Gonzales
Talia Noel Goodwin
Steven Michael Goss
Samantha Sage Gossage
Karleigh Rae Gossler
Ryan James Grande
Garat Meyer Marshall Grant
Austin Gratzer
Eric Greeson II
Gillian Griffin
Dominick Steven Grob
Michael John Groeneveld
Osmond Gunarso
Kyle Reed Gunderson
Taylor Duane Gustafson
Dario Erik Gutierrez-Sanabria
Jordan Haarberg
Hunter Seliah Haas
Alexa Brooke Haberlack
Miyoko Hacker
Keely Nicole Hagen
Taylor Diane Hainline
Brittany Louise Hale
Jordynn Nicole Hall
Miranda Ellen Hall
Magen Idamay Hamblin-Dahl
Cassidy Rae Hamilton
Hayley Linnae Hanford
Tait Parker Hansen
Kelly Lee Hanson
Stetson Alen Harding
Danica Michelle Hardwick
Elizabeth Grayce Harris
Jessica Rae Harris
Kenna Marie Harris
Anthony Loren Hart
Taylor Morgan Hart
Trey Anthony Hart
Kelsey Noelle Harvill
Colton C Hastings
Colby Michael Haxby
Dustin Scott Haynes
Mackenzie Delight Haynes
Brittany Megan Rose Healey
Ashlea Denise Heinz
Joshua Carter Hendrickson
Stacey Henriquez
Ryan Matthew Hespe
Autumn Dawn Hettinga
Arron Andrew Hicks
Niklaus Victor Monroe Higgins
6
Ryan Lee Higgins
Leah Alexandra Hill
Jacob Lee Hilt
Kylie Lynn Hineman
Taylor Renee Hinz
Brandon Michael Hoff
Korey Thomas Hope
Clint Joseph Hopke
Benjamin Christopher Hopper
Carlee Nicole Hornback
Casey William Hornberger
Andrew Nelson Horsley
Dakota Lee Houmann
Taylor Jaymes Houmard
Chase Taylor Houser
Hannah Marie Howard
Tanner Dylan Howard
Nydia Huerta
Austin Wayne Huggins
Zulqurnain Hussain
Matthew Graham Hutson
David Harrison Hysmith
Sergio Antonio Ibarra
Keara B. Irby
Gage Michael Island
Lena Abdul Ismail
Vlera Isufi
Sydney Troi Iverson
Angela Jackson
Steven Tyler Jackson
Abigail Jacobo
Tory Swan James
Reanna Mary Kate Jamieson
Samantha Jane Jankowski
Jessi Helene Jenkins
Natalie Rose Jensen
Ryan James Jensen
Sara Marcile Job
Sarah Ann Johansen
Kyle Johns
Clara Elise Johnson
Hailey Lynn Johnson
Lacey Lee Johnson
Nicholas Alden Johnson
Trey Michael Jones
Alex Wesley Jordan
Derek Colton Jordan
Skiver, Losalini Kaicee
Kyle Kalb
Elizabeth June Kavalski
Addison James Kelly
Nicole Orlina Kelly
Shelby Marie Kelly
Melissa Ann Kennedy
Connor Alexander Kershner
Indigo Jazmine
Kahoaloha O’Kumanu Khoury
Ashley Ann Kiehn-Jimenez
Stephanie Ann King
Jessica Lynn Kingery
Zachary Solomon Kirshbaum
Tyler Alan Knight
Danielle Marie Knutzen
Christina Michelle Kobayashi
Felicia Marie Kolhage
Marek Kriz
Cheyanne Renee Kunsman
Derek Michael Kutz
Hana Lacikova’
Rebecca Ann Lagergren
Cameron Bryce Lamp
Adam David LaPine
Corey Thomas LaPlante
Devan Nicole Larsen
Andrea Rene’ Larson
Taylor Sophie Larson
Taylor Michelle Latimore
Cody Jay Lau
Kelsey Mattisen Lawrence
Mathew Jordan Leachman
Kaitlin Marie Lebon
Daniel Steven Leclair
Dominique Lorenzo Lee
Jesse Duane Leeper
Rachel Jean Legg
Celina Rose Lenac
Joseph Thomas Leon
Annalisa Margarite Lever
Maria Theresa LeVine
Brian Joseph Lewis
Darian Mackenzie Lewis
Kasey Allen Lewis
Brandon James Light
William Mihaly Ligmond
Jorden Kelliher Lindquist
Joshua Thomas Lique
Joshua Lo
Cameron Richard Long
David Burton Lothrop
Kevin Vaughn Loukusa
Shae Lynn Love
Ford Patrick Evan Lowery
Amy Krissann Luke
Vitaliy V Lukyanchuk
Brady Andrew Lyons
Renee Louise Lysen
Gabriel Alejandro Macias Neri
Samuel Wil Maki
Keaton C Manion
Daniel James Marchese
Andrea Lynn Martin
Brandon Lee Martin
Devon Ross Martin
Larry Alan Martin
Michael James Martinez
Aline Gabriela Martinez Lopez
Taryn Maureen Mattila
Cheryce Lynn Mattison
Alexa Brianne McCarty
Shane Harold McClellan
Hannah Lynn McClure
Hannah Noel McCombs
Cassandra Elizabeth McCoy
Sean David McCoy
Russell Roy McKee
Dylan Michael McKeever
Amelia Eileen McLaughlin
Emma Sue McMurtrie
Brandon Martin Medina
Juan Manuel Medina Godina
Diana Gabriela Medina-Aguilar
Amanda Elizabeth Meixner
Jonathon Michael Meldrum
Veronica Yazmin Mendez Mata
Haley Anne Merceri
Spencer M Mesneak
David Jonathan Mihet
Emily Elizabeth Miller
Cristian Emilio Miramontes
Amanda Jay Mitchell
Devan Allen Mitchell
Lucas Keith Mix
Nathan Daniel Mizell
Tehanna Michelle Monroe
Jedidah Shiloh Montoya
Jordan Samuel Moore
William Everett Moran
Mikayla Jane Morgan
Kylee Sekiko Morris
Carson Roy Moser
Michelle Grace Moss
Kylee Jeanne Mudrovich
Austin Robert Mulholland
Justin Lee Mullen
Eden Nicole Mumey
Kendal Michelle Munoz
Corey Thomas Murphy
Nathan Noel Murphy
Violet Marie Murphy
Calvin Parker Myall
John (jay) Malcolm Myles IV
Jonathan Jesus Naranjo
Raelene Jo Naseth
Alixandra Carly Neal
Macaleb M Nelson
Matthew Paul Nelson
Kevin Ngonevolalath
Heather Ngoc Nguyen
Joseph William Nichols
Ashley Paige Nickerson
Isaac Tevita Notoa
Ana Lisa Cisneros Nunez
Priscila Cisneros Nunez
Jacquelyn Marie Nyte
Colton Kellen O’Brien
Heidi Janell Ojalehto
Isha Elizabeth Oliver
Bailey Morgan Olson
Morgan Dawn Olson
Sierra Lynn Olson
Hannah Kathryn O’Malley
Gus J.D. Orberg
Continued on page 8
MHS boasts more than a
dozen "perfect" scholars
Topping all of their classmates, these students were named Monroe
High Class of 2012 valedictorians after earning a perfect 4.0 grade point
average while taking a very rigorous course of study, including four
years of science, English, advanced math and studing the same foreign
language for three years.
Raquel Davalos
Megan Bull
Carl Bunge
Aaron Furrer
Kaitlin Lebon
Howard Chen
Dylan McKeever
Claire Chisolm
Heidi Ojalehto
Miriah Clem
Shaylen Sharp
Scott Cragerud
Kjell Westra
Graduates continued
from page 7
Amber Marie Ormsby
Claire Elizabeth Oswald
Amanda Kathrine Overton
Leonel Pacheco-Garcia
Angelyce Christina Parker
Hannah Athlone Parker
Courtney Mae Paulino
Amy Lee Pearl
Micaela Renee Pearson
Anthony Phillip Peloquin
Haley Alane Pemble
Jimmy Perales
Griselda Avigail Perez
Patrick Johnson Pham
Elana Taylor Pidgeon
Paul Michael Pimenta
Crystal Rose Pino
Anna Michelle Pippin
Camille Nadine Pippin
Tayler Michelle Pomeroy
Jacob B Portugal
Christine Dalen Pratt
Molly Ann Pratt
Tyler Jefferson Presley
Hunter Alan Quam
Jennifer Quentin
Hannah Marie Ragonesi
Tania Giselle Ramos-Ramirez
Benjamin Harris Randall
Eunice Annette Randall
Preston Dale Reece
Emma Vera Cook Relei
Abigail Jayann Reneau
Korryn Kelly Resch
Melissa Lacey Reyling
Kaitlyn Ann Rich
Kyle Duane Rismoen
Andrew Jonas Robertson
Christopher Edward Robinson
Jodee Lyn Rogers
Amber Maree Rollins
Shannon Marie Romeo
Carlos Daniel Romero
Pierce Anthony Ronberg
Tosha Lynn Rood
Brandie Nichole Root
Mary-lynn Frances Roppo
Danielle Courtney Rosaia
Brianna Michele Rose
Emily Sue Ross
Emily Sue Ross
Kortnee Marie Ross
Samantha Rachelle Ross
Kaylen Asia Routh
Nicole Jessica Rubin
Samantha Josephine Rushing
Rebecca Ann Ryan
Steven Jeffrey Saether
Erin Elizabeth Sample
Sammy Thompson Sanchez
Karla Sanchez-Ramirez
Caleb Daniel Sansbury
Ryan Mathew Sato
Michael Saunders
Jennifer Joy Schaible
Morgan N Schiele
Christine Lee Schott
Aaron Jay Schubert
Jarrad Scott Schultz
Zachary Jameson Scott
Isaiah L Sedgemore-Hayes
Colton Dean Segle
Josie Elizabeth Seigler
Kristin Caylene Seyler
Shelah Eve Shackelford
Shaylen Lacey Sharp
Dustin Nhu Shoemake
Kelsey Taylor Short
Bryant Matthew Silvia JR.
Jewell Ashley Simonson
Cheyenne Lee Smith
Jazmyne Seline Smith
Nikia Rose Smith
Abigail Marie Snook
Viktoriya Solomonova
Jessenia Soria-Madrigal
Ryan Sotelo
Caitlyn Janae Soules
Megan Marie Sparks
Kimberly Suzanne St Martin
Amber Michelle Steen
Tabitha Grace Stein
Ariella Gene Stewart
Jessica Marie Still
Nicholas Robert Still
Raleigh Holger Stocker
Justin Derrick Strand
Eric Andrew Stumbaugh
Logan Jade Sutton
Johnathan Issac Swayne
Hohenstein, Laurenne Sydney
Anahi Talavera-Cordova
Joshua Thomas Tarleton
Stephen Scott Taylor
Daniel G Tereshchenko
Robert Alton Thielke IV
Chastity Desiree Thomas
Allison E Thompson
Allison E Thompson
Janice Ruth Tien
Jacob Arquero Torda
Francisco B Torralba
Alexandra Gabrielle Townsend
Brittany Ann Trujillo
Jordan Christopher Trujillo
Anatoliy Vasilovich Tsaruk
Bridget Marie Tueffers
Kamille Ann Tuller
Jamie Lynn Turek
Evan Allen Turner
Isaac James Turner
Elizabeth Ann Tygert
Jeffrey Klinton Unbedacht
Laila Mary Vafaeezadeh
Kateal Maree Van Buskirk
Lilian Y Vanek
Linda Vang
Michelle Renee Vanko
Candy M Vargas
Calli Marie Vasatka
Brittany Lynne Vaughn
Jackie Nicole Veenendaal
Brennan Daye Vigil
Connor Hayden Von Difloe
Keenin Clifton Vye
Bret Christopher Walden
Dane Conor Wales
Scott Theodore Walker
Courtney Richelle Wallace
Breanna Dawn Watland
Colby Taylor Weiser
Emily Lorraine Wellan
Kjell Gerrit Westra
Jennifer Anne Whims
Kane Alan White
Kierra Kapuamakamaeialohiku'upu'wai
Wilkins
Benjamin David Willard
Kaysha Morgan Willett
Daniel Scott Willis
Sean-Jose Willis
Felecia Leanne Wilson
Cambra Alene Wohlfeil
Austin Tyler Wood
Danielle Julia Wood
Michaela Wynona Woodiwiss
Hope Victoria Woodward LaLonde
Kendra Ann Worthley
Krysta Elaine Wyndham
Eric Chun Yu Yap
Kaylyn Renee Yuh
Cayla Ryann Zabel
Daniela Michell Zepeda
Cody John Zielsdorf
Damian Micheal Zimmerman
Marriza Lucille Zucati
2012 graduates step
out into their future
Hundreds of seniors successfully
completed their graduation requirements and
received their high school diplomas in 2012.
It is easy to talk about numbers or
percentages, but each statistic is a young
person who met challenges and enjoyed
triumphs along the way. Below is a brief
glimpse into a few of their stories.
Kayla Browne
Kayla Browne –
Leaders in Learning
High school is
challenging, and
some students have
more challenges than
others. For Kayla
Browne, having her
son Liam on August
30, 2011, might have
prevented her completing her senior year
without her level of persistence and
commitment.
She transferred to Leaders in Learning to
make the schedule fit better and typically
attended school from 11 am – 2 pm every
day, while her dad watched her baby. “I had
a lot of support from my family,” she says.
She also worked from 9 pm – 1:30 am most
nights.
Browne had taken a heavy load of
requirements her junior year and only
needed to take Senior English and several
electives to finish up. It still wasn’t easy.
“Many times I wanted to stop going to
school,” she recalls, “but my counselor,
JeNell Buchanan, is my super hero. She made
me keep going, helped me get credits and call
colleges and look for scholarships.”
And Browne did receive scholarships.
She had played varsity soccer for Monroe
High School through junior year, and
Shoreline Community College has awarded
her a scholarship to play for them. She also
received a scholarship from Everett
Community College for her entry in the “Dare
to Dream” essay contest.
Browne is thinking of becoming a
paralegal, and might pursue law school. Or
she might move to New York to pursue her
other major interest - fashion.
“I enjoyed my high school years, good or
bad,” she says. “And I’ve learned that if you
want help, it’s there. All the teachers are
really willing to help you. They really want
you to succeed.”
Claire Chisholm –
Monroe High School
Claire Chisholm
had a very busy senior
year. She was
president of Key Club
and commissioner of
Link Crew, guiding
new leaders. She was
Claire Chisholm
president of the Hi Q
team, which had to be rebuilt from scratch,
since all but two members had graduated the
previous year. And she was treasurer of
National Honor Society.
She has also found time to volunteer,
providing child care the past two years for the
Frank Wagner PTA meetings through Key
Club. She also completed her 5th year in a row
of volunteering at summer school, working
with her former 5th grade teacher, Irene
Beazley, who now teaches reading at Park
Place Middle School.
She received an honorable mention at the
student Bio Tech Expo for her art piece on a
molecule called cyclopime, which was
discovered to cause birth defects in lambs in
the 1940s. Chisholm also presented at the
Expo the year before, when she completed her
culminating challenge a year early. Working
with a mentor from Amgen, Chisholm
designed an experiment on pH extremes in
mammalian cells. “I had an advantage this
year,” she7says.
For my project I could explain the science
behind it and also the real world application.”
After reading about her interest in
toxicology in the Everett Herald, Dr. David
Eaton, toxicologist at the University of
Washington, and past President of the Society
of Toxicology (SOT), contacted Chisholm and
arranged for her to attend the annual SOT
meeting in San Francisco this spring. “It was
an incredible opportunity,” she says, “and
scary at the same time. Everyone was so
helpful, but I was just a high school student in
a place where everyone is talking about
graduate school and post-doctoral work.”
People at the conference were helpful with
advice about college majors and career. “I was
looking at colleges with toxicology for
undergrads, but they said it’s not the greatest
idea. ‘Get a different degree so you have a
different point of view,’ they said.” Chisholm
attends the University of Washington, which
offers a graduate program in toxicology. She
hopes eventually to get a research position in
a private pharmaceutical company or academic
setting to research the placement of toxic
components in medicine.
“There are moments when I wonder if I can
do this, but they are few and far between,” she
says. “I’m excited for the future and something
new.”
Gabriel Macias Neri
- Monroe High
School
Success for
Gabriel Macias Neri
was bringing his
grades up during a
busy, stressful senior
Gabriel
year. “Scholarship
Macias Neri
applications,
culminating project – it was all very stressful”
he said. He made the honor roll freshman year,
but it became harder to balance his activities
with school.
“Overall I improved in everything,” he
says. English with teacher Norine Abbott
sophomore year made him a better writer. He
loved his three years of French with instructor
Jeanna Stroble and participated in French
Club. “I think speaking three languages will
also help in the future.” Western Literature
with educator Jaime Johnson was a favorite
class.
Through it all he has played soccer, which
he loves. He has played on the premier team,
FC Alliance for 4 years, and played for
Monroe High School all through high school.
He moved up to the varsity team junior year
and was team captain senior year. “It’s fun to
meet people and see how the upcoming
freshmen improve every year.”
He especially enjoyed sharing the field with
his freshman brother, Raymundo.
Sophomore year he joined the Minority
Achievers Program, run by the YMCA. “It’s
about after school help, field trips, hiking,
recreational stuff to keep kids out of trouble,”
he says. “I loved it.” He formed a soccer team
for the group, and they signed up to use the
Snohomish Soccer Dome.
His culminating project involved serving as
an interpreter for several meetings, one about
fire prevention for the Monroe Fire District,
and others for the school’s parent meetings
for Spanish speaking families. “It was nervewracking; I was very nervous on stage,” he
recalls, “but my communication skills and
people skills got a lot better. I’m not so afraid
to get in front of people now.”
Macias Neri is attending community
college and later hopes to pursue physical
therapy or architecture at the University of
Washington.
Continued on page 10
8
Monroe graduates earn high honors and
more than $5 million in scholarships offers & awards
Below are the Class of 2012 recipients
of high academic honors, more than
$5.2 million in scholarships offers and
awards and who were accepted to
prestigious schools in our state and
across the nation including Stanford
and Notre Dame universities!
.Michael Ainsworth – Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award
Carmen Alvarez – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Mikaela Anderson - Honor Cord, Southern
Virginia University Campus Resident Grant,
Southern Virginia University Academic
Scholarship, Academic Challenge Award
Randi Armstrong – Honor Cord, Academic
Challenge Award
Lijung Jenna Bae – High Honor Cord,
California College of the Arts Scholarship, Art
Institute of Boston Award, Academic
Challenge Award
Shrey Bajaj – Honor Cord
Jordan Beaudoin – High Honor Cord,
Academic Challenge Award
Shane Beck – High Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award
Emily Beebe – Honor Cord, Monroe Lions
Club Scholarship, Snohomish County Dairy
Women Scholarship, Springtime Calf Sale
Scholarship, CAHNRS 4-H Leadership
Scholarship, University of Idaho Discover
Idaho Scholarship, Washington State Need
Grant, Washington State University Cougar
Commitment, Academic Challenge Award,
Monroe School Foundation Scholarship
Moriah Biggs - Thom Biderboast Memorial
Scholarship
Joelle Blais - High Honor Cord, Oregon State
University Provost Scholarship, Western
Washington University, University of
Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery
Sciences Award, Barry University Scholarship, Youth Maritime Training Association
Scholarship, University of Hawaii Centennial
Scholarship, WA State Honors Award,
Academic Challenge Award, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Nathan Brackin – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award
Kayla Browne - Students of Color Scholarship
Nicole Buckland - Honor Cord, University
of Arizona Merit Scholarship, University of
Arizona Excellence Award, Washington State
University Achievement Award Scholarship,
Seattle University Bellarmine Scholarship,
Academic Challenge Award
Rebecca Burnett - Lee Johnson Memorial/
Speedway Chevrolet Scholarship
John Bury – High Honor Cord
Megan Bull - Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Gonzaga University Trustee Scholarship, California Lutheran University - Regents
Scholarship, Santa Clara University SCU
Dean’s Scholarship, Rensselaet Leadership
Award, Occidental College Dean’s Scholarship, Occidental College OXY Scholarship,
Occidental College Opportunity Grant, WA
State Principal Scholar, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award, Monroe
School Foundation Scholarship
Carl Bunge – Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, WA State Principal Scholar, WA State
Honors Award, Academic Challenge Award
Daniel Chang – Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award
Howard Chen – Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Baylor Academy Merit Scholar, WA
State Principal Scholar, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Claire Chisholm – Valedictorian, High
Honor Cord, WA State Principal Scholar, WA
State Honors Award, Academic Challenge
Award, Monroe School Foundation Scholarship
Allen Clawson - Honor Cord, ITT Technical
Careers That Work Scholarship
Miriah Clem – Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Northwest University Provost
Scholarship, Northwest University NU
Success 2012-2013 Scholarship, Seattle
Pacific University President’s Scholarship,
Western Washington University President’s
Scholarship, AT&T Foundation Scholarship,
WA State Principal Scholar, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Karisa Clifford – Honor Cord, Academic
Challenge Award
Jessarae Coonts - Arizona Excellence Award,
Academic Challenge Award, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Camille Cope – The King’s College
Presidential Scholarship, Barry University
Scholarship, Academic Challenge Award
Liliana Cory - Horatio Alger Association
Scholarship, Academic Challenge Award
Scott Cragerud - Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Washington State University Achievement Award, WA State Principal Scholar, WA
State Honors Award, Academic Challenge
Award
Robyn Cypher - Pacific Lutheran University
Raquel Davalos - Valedictorian, High
Honor Cord, Linfield College Trustee
Scholarship, Seattle Pacific University
Trustees’ Scholar Award, Seattle University
Trustee Scholarship, Cal-Poly Outreach
Scholarship, Oregon State University Provost
Scholarship, WA State Principal Scholar, WA
State Honors Award, Academic Challenge
Award
Alexis Davidson - Myownly Community
Scholarship
Matthew Engel - University of Texas at
Dallas Academic Excellence, Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University Dean’s Scholarship,
WA State Honors Award, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Zachary Evans – High Honor Cord, University of Arizona AZ Excellence Tuition
Scholarship, University of Rochester National
Grant, Academic Challenge Award
Kyle Everitt - Honor Cord, Barry University
- Barry University Award
Lynzee Felder – Warner Pacific Early Action
Grant, Warner Pacific Athletic Women Soccer
Grant, Warner Pacific Achievement Scholarship, Warner Pacific Warner Grant
Steven Fordham – Honor Cord
Shelby Fungone – Honor Cord
Aaron Furrer - Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Oregon State University Provost
Scholarship, Washington State University University Achievement Award, Comcast
Leaders and Achievers Award, National Wild
Turkey Federation Academic Scholarship,
Elks Most Valuable Student Award, Masonic
Junior Achievement Award, Seattle University
Trustee Scholarship, Cal-Poly Outreach
Scholarship, Springtime Calf Sale Scholarship,
National Federation of Independent Businesses Young Entrepreneur Foundation
Scholarship, Stanford Fund Scholarship,
Stanford Grant, Barry University Award, WA
State Principal Scholar, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Cristian Galicia – Honor Cord
Karleigh Gossler - PIMA Medical Institute
Scholarship
Garat Grant - NW University Scholarship
Alexa Haberlack - Honor Cord, University
of Evansville Academic Scholarship,
Immaculata University Faculty Scholarship,
Carroll Montana All Saints Award, Eastern
Washington University Dean’s Scholarship,
Immaculata University Facility Scholarship
Keely Hagen – High Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award, Academic Challenge Award
Brittany Hale - Regency Care Scholarship
Jordynn Hall – High Honor Cord, Western
Washington University President’s Scholarship, Boise State University Western
Undergraduate Exchange Tuition Waiver,
Eastern Oregon University Scholar Award,
Washington State University Achievement
Award, Central Washington University
President’s Tuition Award, Washington State
University Achievement Award, Boise State
University Gem Scholarship, WA State
Honors Award, Academic Challenge Award,
Monroe School Foundation Scholarship
8
8
9
Hayley Hanford - High Honor Cord, Trinity
Lutheran College President’s Scholarship
Award, George Fox University Stevens
Academic Achievement Scholarship, Biola
University Dean’s Scholarship, Seattle Pacific
University Dean’s Scholarship, University of
Washington Bothell Chancellor’s Scholarship,
WA State Honors Award
Tait Hansen - Central Washington University
Freshman Scholar Tuition Award, Academic
Challenge Award
Kelsey Harvill -Honor Cord, Washington
State University Scholarship, Academic
Challenge Award, Monroe School Foundation
Scholarship
Kenna Harris – High Honor Cord, Brigham
Young University Award of Excellence
Scholarship, WA State Honors Award
Autumn Hettinga – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award
Dustin Haynes - University of Notre Dame
Belmont Scholarship
Niklaus Higgins—Academic Challenge
Award
Ryan Higgins –High Honor Cord, University
of California at Davis Scholarship, Colgate
University Grant, University of Washington
State Need Grant, University of Washington
Undergrad Grant, University of Washington
Scholarship Seattle Campus, WA State
Honors Award, Academic Challenge Award
Kyle Hineman - Dean's Scholarship, Corban
University, Snohomish County 4H Scholarship, Queen Anne High School Alumni
Scholarship
Korey Hope - Whitworth University Whitworth Scholarship
Benjamin Hopper – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award
Casey Hornberger – Honor Cord
Andrew Horsley – Honor Cord, Academic
Challenge Award
Hannah Howard—Monroe School Foundation Scholarship
Nydia Huerta - Careers That Work
Zulqurnain Hussain – Honor Cord,
University of Washington Scholarship,
University of Puget Sound Dean’s Scholarship, Seattle Pacific University President’s
Scholar Award, Pacific Lutheran University
Faculty Scholarship, Washington State
University Scholarship
David Hysmith - Honor Cord, University of
Pacific President’s Scholarship, President’s
Scholarship University of Portland, Case
Western Reserve University Scholarship,
Honors Scholarship Pacific University of
Oregon, Presidential Scholarship Pacific
University Oregon, Merit Scholarship Linfield
College, WA State Honors Award, Academic
Challenge Award
Sara Job - High Honor Cord, The University
of Arizona - Arizona Excellence Award,
Western Washington University President’s
Scholarship, University of Oregon NonResident Dean’s Scholarship, Santa Clara
University SCU Incentive Grant, Barry
University Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Sarah Johansen – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award, Academic Challenge
Award
Clara Johnson – Honor Cord
Nicholas Johnson – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award
Trey Jones – High Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award
Elizabeth Kavalski - Honor Cord, Trinity
Lutheran College - Trinity Scholarship,
Trinity Lutheran College Academic
Challenge Award
Pamela King - Clough Family Scholarship,
Jones Family Scholarship
Stephanie King - Monroe Public Schools
Foundation Scholarship, Masons Scholarship,
Lions Scholarship, Sno-Isle Scholarship, Sky
Valley Education Center PTA Scholarship
Jessica Kingery - High Honor Cord, Oregon
State University Provost Scholarship,
University of Pacific President’s Scholarship,
Washington State University - University
Achievement Award, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Zachary Kirshbaum - High Honor Cord,
Western Washington University President’s
Scholar, Western Washington University
Western Foundation Scholarship, UW
Scholarship, WA State Honors Award
Cheyanne Kunsman - Careers That Work
Devan Larsen – High Honor Cord, South
Dakota State University Athletics Scholar
Taylor Larson - Academic Challenge Award
Taylor Latimore - High Honor Cord,
Washington State University Regents Scholar,
Barry University - Barry University Award,
8,000, Washington State University Achievement Award, Washington State
University Engineering Scholarship, WA
State Honors Award, Academic Challenge
Award
Kelsey Lawrence - Silver Academic
Scholarship, NW University Success
Scholarship
Kaitlin Lebon - Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Oregon State University Provost
Scholarship, Hartwick College Academic
Scholarship, University of Washington
Scholarship, University of California Santa
Clara New Freshman Scholarship, University
of California Grant, Oregon State Provost
Non-Resident Scholarship, University of
California Santa Cruz Undergraduate Dean’s
Award, Barry University Award, SeeBee
Memorial Scholarship, WA State Principal
Scholar, WA State Honors Award, Academic
Challenge Award
Jorden Lindquist - High Honor Cord,
Loyola Marymount University Award,
University of Portland President’s Scholarship, University of Pacific Regent’s Scholar,
Seattle University Campion Scholarship,
University of San Francisco Provost Merit
Award, Colorado State University Dean’s
Scholar, University of Denver University
Scholar, University of Portland Grant,
University of Puget Sound Grant, University
of Denver DU Educational Grant, University of Denver University Scholarship,
University of Denver Residence Hall Grant,
Colorado State Western Undergraduate
Exchange, Seattle University Grant, University of Puget Sound Dean’s Scholarship,
Pacific University Regents’ Scholarship,
Pacific University UOP Grant, University of
San Francisco Provost’s Merit Award,
University of San Francisco Tuition Grant,
Santa Clara University SCU Need-Based
Grant, Loyola Marymount University
Achievement Award, Loyola MaryLoyola
mount University LMU Grant, WA State
Honors Award
Kevin Loukusa – High Honor Cord
Taryn Mattila – High Honor Cord
Hannah McCombs – Honor Cord
Dylan McKeever - Valedictorian, High Honor
Cord, Gonzaga University Regents Scholarship,
Gonzaga University Trustee Scholarship,
Gonzaga University Grant, Boise State University Gem Scholarship, Washington State University Achievement Award, Washington State
University Engineering and Architecture Award,
WA State Principal Scholar, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Kylee Morris - High Honor Cord, Montana
State University Achievement Award,
University of Pacific President’s Scholarship,
Embry-Riddle/Prescott Aeronautical
University Women of Excellence Award,
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Academic Achievement Scholarship, Gem
Scholarship—Boise State, University
Achievement Award—WSU, Nellie Martin
Carman Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Michelle Moss - Masons Scholarship
Kylee Mudrovich – Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award
Kendal Munoz—California State University
Athletic Award
Colton O’Brien – High Honor Cord, Boise
State Gem Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award
Heidi Ojalehto - Valedictorian, High
Honor Cord, Cornell Grant, WA State
Principal Scholar, WA State Honors Award,
Academic Challenge Award, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Hannah O’Malley - Honor Cord, Northwest
Nazarene University
Gus Orberg - EvCC Academic Excellence
Scholarship
Claire Oswald – The University of
Montana LAS Scholarship, Monroe School
Foundation Scholarship
Continued on page 10
MHS grad nominated for
Young Entrepreneur 2012
Aaron Furrer turned early challenges into
a life of making the most out of everything
Turning lemons into lemonade doesn't
and hay business for 6 years, in addition
begin to sum up all that Aaron Furrer has
to working on his parents’ farm.
learned from life's challenges, but his
Furrer has had to overcome several
accomplishments so far are certainly a
obstacles along the way. He was born
sweet treat as he heads into his future.
with a heart defect and had his second
The National Federation of
open heart surgery while in the first
Independent Business (NFIB) named
grade. His mom, Vicki Furrer, recalls all
Monroe High School Class of 2012
the support from everyone at Chain Lake
graduate Aaron Furrer one of their five
Elementary School.
Young Entrepreneur finalists
for 2012. In recognition of his
entrepreneurial endeavors,
“I feel sometimes Monroe gets
Furrer received a $5,000
a bad rap, but we have so
educational scholarship and
an all-expense paid trip with
many exceptional students, so
his parents to Washington,
many outstanding teachers, so
DC, where he was recognized
at the NFIB summit.
many scholarships, so many
“It is quite an honor,”
kids going to great colleges
Furrer comments about
around the country,”
receiving the NFIB
scholarship. “I was definitely
- Aaron Furrer
surprised I was selected,
MHS Class of 2012
especially after I heard about
the amazing things other kids
are doing.” He was selected
from a nationwide applicant pool.
“I want to go tell them, ‘Every one of
In his business, Three Firs Factoring,
you played such a big part in this.’ The
Furrer uses an accounting practice to
whole school chipped in, and a lot of the
provide flexible and easy cash flow to
teachers are still there,” she says. “They
trucking companies. The truckers sell
had a huge ‘wash your hands’ campaign
their accounts receivable to him at a
to keep Chris & Buddy (Furrer’s
discount in exchange for cash with which
brothers) healthy. And they were bound
to fund their business.
and determined Aaron wouldn’t fall
This business also earned him first
behind.”
place honors at the 2011 state DECA
Many years he has caught
conference in the Entrepreneurship
pneumonia, and sophomore year he had
Participating Event. He has 3-4 steady
a broken collar bone in addition to
clients, and usually 1-2 casual clients
pneumonia, resulting in him missing the
every month. Furrer has also run a beef
last three weeks of school.
Honors rolled in for 2012 grads
Class of 2012 tops
previous classes in
awards, scholarships
Continued from page 9
Hannah Parker – High Honor Cord,
Portland State University Out of State
Opportunity Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award, Monroe
School Foundation Scholarship
Haley Pemble - Honor Cord, Timberland
Valley Dog Fanciers Association Scholarship, Northwest Junior Scholarship
Foundation, Richland Kennel Club Scholarship, American Kennel Club Scholarship,
Elana Pidgeon - Monroe Monitor Scholarship
Paul Pimenta – High Honor Cord
Crystal Pino – Honor Cord
Anna Pippin – High Honor Cord
Tayler Pomeroy – Honor Cord
Emma Relei - High Honor Cord, University
of Puget Sound Merit Scholarship,
Whitworth University - Trustee Scholarship, Western Washington University
President’s Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award, Monroe School Foundation
Scholarship
Melissa Reyling - Honor Cord, Dan
Frohning Award, Barry University Award,
Washington State University Scholarship,
Oregon State University Scholarship, Barry
University Award, Snohomish County
Dairy Women, Washington State University
June Roberts Scholarship, Washington State
University, Roscoe and Frances Cox
Scholarship, Washington State University
Achievement Award, WA State Honors
Award, Academic Challenge Award
Andrew Robertson – Honor Cord
Mary-Lynn Roppo – Honor Cord
Rebecca Ryan – High Honor Cord,
Academic Challenge Award
Jennifer Schaible - Monroe Lip Sync
Scholarship, Galaxy Theater Scholarship
Jarrad Schultz – Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award, Academic Challenge Award
Shaylen Sharp – Valedictorian, High
Honor Cord, The Nellie Martin Carman
Scholarship, WA State Principal Scholar,
WA State Honors Award, Academic
Challenge Award, Monroe School Foundation Scholarship
Abigail Snook - Evergreen Beauty College
Scholarship
Allison Thompson - Campion Scholarship
Bridget Tueffers – Salutatorian, High
Honor Cord, WA State Honors Award,
Academic Challenge Award
Jamie Turek - EvCC Academic Excellence
Scholarship alternate
Calli Vasatka – Honor Cord, Academic
Challenge Award
Courtney Wallace – High Honor Cord,
Academic Challenge Award
Kjella Westra – Valedictorian, High
Honor Cord, WSU Regents Scholar, WSU
Engineering College Scholarship, WSU
Music Scholarship, WA State Honors
Award, Brigham Young University Award
of Excellence, WA State Principal Scholar,
Academic Challenge Award, John Philip
Sousa Band Award
Kane White – Honor Cord, Eastern
Washington Grant, Louis Armstrong Jazz
Award
Kierra Wilkins—Academic Challenge
Award
Austin Wood – High Honor Cord, WA
State Honors Award, Whitworth University Presidential Scholarship, Azusa Pacific
University Trustees Finalist Scholarship,
Westmont College Presidents Scholarship,
Westmont College Track and Field
Scholarship, Academic Challenge Award
Krysta Wyndham – High Honor Cord
Cayla Zabel - Carroll College Founders
Award
Daniela Zepeda – Honor Cord, WA State
Honors Award, Monroe School Foundation
Scholarship
Aaron Furrer greets Brad Beetchenow, one of Furrer's clients in his Three Firs Factoring
business that helps provide flexibility to trucking companies. He is a member of the
Monroe High Class of 2012 and was recognized by the national small business
association NFIB.
“The teachers were all wonderful, and
very willing to work with his situation”
she says.
Furrer thinks his health condition has
been more of a help than a hindrance.
“It has totally and completely made
me and shaped me into who I am today my character and how I view life,” he
comments.
“My view is: make the most of
everything. I could decide not to apply to
Stanford, because I can’t get in, but why
not try? I may as well, because so much
good could come from it, and what have I
got to lose?”
And he did get in. Furrer used his
scholarship at Stanford University, where
he plans to major in biochemistry with a
minor in business entrepreneurship.
“I love biology and chemistry,” he
says. “I figured biochemistry is a perfect
mix.” His long term goal is to open his
own research lab, combining both
science and entrepreneurship.
He has already worked in a research
lab. While enrolled in Advanced
Placement (AP) Biology his junior year,
Furrer completed an internship with Dr.
Dina Kovarik, Programs Manager at the
Northwest Association of Biomedical
Research (NWABR) at her laboratory at
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
He helped her create, edit and work out
the kinks in a lab that had some problems.
They applied that work in the Monroe
High AP biology lab. “That was a great
experience; I learned so much,” Furrer
says.
Though his heart condition has
prevented him from participation in sports,
Furrer has been active in many groups,
such as 4H, different dairy cattle breed
associations, the Snohomish County
Cattlemen’s Association, DECA, FFA, the
National Honor Society, Key Club, as well
as volunteering for the past 13 years at
the Wallace River Salmon Hatchery.
He feels confident he is academically
well-prepared for the challenges at
Stanford. “I feel sometimes Monroe gets a
bad rap, but we have so many exceptional
students, so many outstanding teachers,
so many scholarships, so many kids going
to great colleges around the country,” he
says.
And he has been involved in
agriculture all of his life. “I would like to
have a farm someday. It’s been such a big
part of my life and has taught me so much
about responsibility and work ethic,” he
says.
“But it will depend on my career and
how many years of graduate work I
complete, and where I am located.”
Class of 2012's future is bright
Continued from page 8
Gus Orberg –
Leaders in
Learning
Gus Orberg
started attending
Leaders in
Learning as a
freshman and
Gus Orberg graduated with a 3.6
grade point average. He was an Honor
Roll student at Sno-Isle TECH Skills
Center, where he has studied
construction trades and carpentry.
For Orberg, having Leaders as an
option has really been a plus. “I used to
attend the high school, but it was too big
for me,” he says. “It is more family
oriented at Leaders: we call everyone by
their first names and create relationships
with them. I work well in smaller
environments.”
While in school, Orberg has worked
part-time on and off doing yard work and
chores for people. He is an active member
9of his church and has done volunteer
work at Food Lifeline, a nonprofit food
distribution agency working to provide
nutritious food to hungry, low-income
people. He has also been involved with
Boy Scouts achieving 1st/2nd class.
“I believe in doing your best and
working as hard as you are able to and to
care about fellow students and citizens,”
he says. “I’m not a person who is seeking
to be recognized by everybody. I just
want to work as hard as I can.”
He will probably do further study, but
for now he has entered the world of work
using his carpentry skills. “That’s my
main focus – to build furniture and
cabinetry.”
Later on, he would like to start a
business of his own. “My education has
been long," he comments.
“Now I feel prepared and can do what I
really want to do – start my career and
raise a family.”
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9
FINANCES
Auditor report confirms student learning is $ priority in schools
Monroe puts their money where their mission is helping all children learn. The state confirmed this
fact in the Auditor's 2012 Performance Report "K-12
Education Spending."
This report studied all 295 public school districts
in the state clustering the different entities
according to enrollment, percent of students eligible
for free or reduced price meals, locale and whether
or not the district has a high school. Monroe's
cluster included:
• Lake Stevens
• Mead (near Spokane)
• Peninsula
• Olympia
• Shoreline
• Snohomish
• South Kitsap
• Sumner
Each cluster was ranked in a variety of areas with
Monroe topping the group in percentage of its
budget spent on teaching. Monroe was next to last
in the percentage of the budget spent on
administration.
The study further noted Monroe was last in the
amount of money available to spend per student.
This amount includes the revenue available from
local, state and federal sources as well as grants or
other income. More information about the study
may be found online at www.sao.wa.gov.
Approximately 68 % of the public schools'
operating budget comes from the state through a
Report highlights:
Limited resources
in the right places
% spent on teaching
Monroe - 65.2%
Lake Stevens
Mead
Snohomish
Olympia
Shoreline
Peninsula
Sumner
South Kitsap
Peer average - 61.7%
% spent on administration
Sumner
Olympia
South Kitsap
Lake Stevens
Peninsula
Mead
Shoreline
Monroe - 5.9%
Snohomish
Peer average - 6.5%
$ available per student
Shoreline
Olympia
Sumner
South Kitsap
Snohomish
Peninsula
Mead
Lake Stevens
Monroe - $8,611
Peer average - $9,221
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11
process that designates funds according to the
number of enrolled students.
Given that the state is the greatest financial
supporter of public schools, any state shortfall has
a dramatic impact on public schools. The remainder
of the operating money comes from federal and local
sources, including local levies. Monroe's newest 2year levy began collection in 2013.
Approved by voters in 2012, this "learning" levy
provides the quality programs being offered to all
students in Monroe Public Schools. The levy will
expire at the end of 2014. Voters can expect to see a
proposal for a new levy in early 2014.
School districts, like your family, must plan for
expenses. Planning for the next year's budget begins
early. This year's Budget Review Committee
convened in February to review 100% of the
operating expenses. The committee is made up of
community members, families and school staff, who
offered their advice about enhancements to improve
schools as well as ways to be more efficient.
Copies of their work may be found under
Finances on the schools' website: www.monroewednet.edu. School leaders also receive input from
the community at large during public forums.
Just as keeping your checkbook balanced and
monitoring spending help you stay within your
budget, public schools' staff also keep a close
account of the money schools receive and the
money schools spend.
School board members regularly audit the
finances and receive quarterly public reports at
School Board meetings. The Washington State
Auditor's office annually reviews the budget and
financial statements.
H O W M O N E Y W ILL BE S P E N T
2
0
1
2
/
2
0
1
3
District
Leadership
3%
School Support
6.4 %
S
C
H
O
O
L
Schools
90.6 %
Y
E
A
R
FUNDING SOURCES
S
O
U
R
C
E
S
F
O
R
S
C
H
O
O
L
S
Other
0.7 %
Local
Revenue
(Levies &
collected fees)
25.5 %
Federal
Revenue
4.3 %
State
Revenue
69.5 %
Below are examples of expenses included in each
of the areas shown in the chart:
Schools • Child Nutrition
• Class Size Relief
• Custodial Services
• Intervention Services - Excel, English Language
Learners, Native American, Health Services,
Special Education
• Staff - Teachers, Principals, Assistant Principals
Notice of
Non-Discrimination
School Support • Assistant Superintendents - Instruction and
Operations
• Directors - Child Nutrition, Special Education, &
Health Services
• Grounds & Maintenance
• Information Services
• Instructional Services - Assessment, Curriculum,
Diversity
• Special Student Services
• Transportation Operations
The following individual has been designated to handle
inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and laws
above:
District Leadership
• Business Services & Personnel
• Leadership - Superintendent, Executive Directors
of Fiscal and Human Resources
• Communications
• School Board
The Monroe School District does not discriminate on the
basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age,
honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual
orientation including gender expression or identity, the
presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the
use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with
a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal
access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Dr. Ken Hoover, Superintendent
Monroe Public Schools
200 East Fremont, Monroe, WA 98272-2336
360.804.2501
Under Dr. Hoover’s direction, the following employees have
been designated to handle questions and also complaints of
alleged discrimination:
• Title IX Coordinator - Justin Blasko, Executive Director for
Human Resources 360.804.2539; [email protected]
• Section 504/ADA Coordinator - Ginnie Ayres, Director of
Instructional Services 360.804.2558; [email protected]
• Compliance for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW - Joanne
Dickinson, Compliance Coordinator, 360.804.2532;
[email protected]
Copies of the 2012-2013 General
Fund Budget are available online
at www.monroe.wednet.edu.
Paper copies are available at the
Administration Building,
200 East Fremont, Monroe.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Washington state law requires all parents of
any children older than 8 years of age to enroll
that child in public school unless the child is
attending private school, receiving home-based
instruction or has been excused by the
superintendent based on a physical or mental
condition.
10RCW 28A.225.010
Monroe School District will also take steps to assure that
national origin persons who lack English language skills can
participate in all education programs, services and activities.
For information regarding translation services or transitional
bilingual education programs, contact Ginnie Ayres, Director
of Instructional Services.
This statement is a reflection of the provisions of the following
laws that prohibit discrimination:
• Titles IV, VI, and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - race
color, national origin
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) –
sex
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section
504) – disability
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) disability
• Washington State Law prohibiting labor discrimination
(RCW 49.60)
• Washington State Law prohibiting sex discrimination in
public education (RCW 28A.640)
Be the change you want to see in the world
~ Mahatma
~ Gandhi
Local students find inspiration and
motivations as part of first ‘We Day’ in USA
Positive change at home and around the
world are the goals of student leaders from
Monroe High and Park Place Middle schools
after attending the first We Day held in the
United States on March 27.
“This was life-changing,” says Park Place
8th grader Jacki Cornell. “Learning all the
things that are going on is an eye-opener. It
makes you want to make an impact.”
“It was surprising to learn the struggles
that people have and how much that we
have,” says 7th grader Monique Fierke. “Even
water - that we don’t usually think about
when we drink it - they don’t have it in Africa
or places with less money than we have.”
“We learned about the amount of poverty
and all that around the world,” says 7th grader
Luis Rubalcaba, "and how much we could
help but don’t realize it yet. We don’t realize
how easy we have it.”
“It really made us think,” says 8th grader
Alyssa Park. “We can all learn from what
others have done.”
Martin Sheen, Jennifer Hudson, Magic
Johnson, MC Hammer, Steve Balmer, Martin
Luther King III, the Kid President,
Macklemore - and more - told their stories
and helped students understand the power
they hold, even now, to make positive change
both locally and globally. Issues of bullying,
physical challenges and child-soldiering
became real by hearing first-hand from people
who have lived with them.
“I’ve always been interested in world
affairs and philanthropy,” says MHS junior
Tellis Aucoin. “We Day showed me I don’t
have to wait; I can do it any day.”
“It was probably the greatest experience
of my life,” says Park Place 7th grader Colby
Kyle “This makes me want to act when I see
bullying, instead of walking by and thinking
someone else should deal with that.”
No tickets are sold to this event. Students
have to earn their right to attend through
service. The focus of the program is a
celebration of the power of youth to create
positive change in their local and global
communities.
Through the associated We Act program,
schools receive curriculum-based resources
and campaign materials as well as personal
support from Free The Children. Both
schools are planning assemblies later this
spring that will create a mini-We Day for the
entire student body at their schools.
“We’re taking the pep assembly and
turning it into tangible things we can do to
have a positive impact in Monroe,” says
Tyson Horner, Monroe High ASB leadership
teacher. “This has the potential of
empowering the entire student body.”
One of the impacting elements of We Day
were light bracelets that lit up every time the
students clapped. Following the event MHS
senior Kiana Busey e-mailed Steve Balmer,
CEO of Microsoft, to ask where to buy the
bracelets. “I told him I was moved by his
speaking and would remember the entire
experience because of the bracelets,” she says.
“He said they would donate them for our
assembly!”
ASB leaders at the high school have
already done a lot of work locally, fundraising
for troops and Housing Hope. The annual
Battle of the Bands proceeds are always
designated for a charity. This year’s choice
was the American Heart Association. They
are now looking at international opportunities
to help.
They sponsored a leadership breakfast for
students who were nominated to attend. The
keynote speaker, Shannon Stowell, President
of Adventure Travel and Trade Association,
spoke about impacting the world through big
ideas. A Diversity Week in April, teamed with
the Talent Show committee, raised $1,000 for
the Free The Children organization. Every
day featured a different country and theme,
Fielding samples
Student leaders from Monroe High School took part in the first ‘We Day’ held in the
United States. Park Place Middle also sent a cadre of students leaders to be inspired
and motivated.
such as water or health care.
Park Place student leaders have focused on
service projects around the school, such as
recycling. But an excitement to do more is
spreading as We Day attendees talk about
what they learned and their experiences.
“Word of mouth is a big thing with young
people,” says Park Place leadership teacher
Kim Hornbacher. “It sparks interest and
thought.”
“We want to take this experience to not
only do service projects as ASB leaders, but
to mobilize the student body,” says Horner.
“We can do things to impact our community
in areas like homelessness or the food bank.
We need to put our boots on the ground.”
“Young people today are people who
care,” says Hornbacher. “They really are
thinking about what is going on around them
and sometimes need an extra push from
someone to say, ‘What are We going to do
about it?’”
Hmm, so what is ‘We Day’?
We Day is an educational event and a
movement of young people to lead local and
global change. The program began in 2007
with the first We Day in Toronto, Canada.
More than 8,000 youth attended
The brainstorm of two brothers, Craig and
Marc Keilburger, We Day was founded on the
idea that “by awakening the spirit of
volunteerism in young people, anything is
possible.” A year-long We Act program
accompanies the event. Once schools register,
they commit to take one local and one global
action that year.
Since that first We Day in 2007, the
program has inspired hundreds of thousands
of young people to dedicate themselves to
volunteerism and active citizenship. Since
2009, participants have raised $26 million for
900 causes and volunteered 5.1 million hours
for local and global causes.
The first U.S. We Day was held on March
27, 2013 at the Key Arena in Seattle. Read
more about We Day at www.weday.com
Last Listening
To u r May 7
Our School Board members have been on the road since January
hearing the many hopes and dreams folks have for the future of public
education in Monroe.
Crews from Geologic Drill were on the Monroe High campus recently collecting
soil samples with the senior geologist from Associated Earth Sciences in preparation of completing the last major project of Monroe High School - the ball fields.
After much community discussion, the cost of the fields was not included when
the classrooms were built in 1999. A fourth classroom wing and the stadium
opened in 2005 after community support through a bond issue. At that time it was
hoped those dollars would stretch to begin the fields. Unfortunately, double digit
inflation in construction at that time thwarted that effort. The unfinished area is
planned to host a softball, baseball and multi-use field. Results of recent soil work
will be used to continue the design of the three ball fields likely to be built in
multiple phases as funding is available. Drainage, an all-weather playing surface
and lights for just the softball/fastpitch field is estimated at about $1 million.
Several district-owned properties (not already developed as school facilities) are
up for sale to raise dollars. In addition, timber from one of those properties is being
cut and sold. City of Monroe officials are interested in contributing if the field can
be designed to also serve community needs. School officials are also hopeful to
remain eligible for a $200,000 Snohomish County grant. While the two-year project
(2012-2014) grant was approved and county officials remain supportive, the
county's funding cycle is annual so new paperwork has been submitted.
Community members are also welcome to join in a districtwide effort to review
facilities starting on May 29. Call 360-804-2570 for details.
After more than 40 sessions, they are wrapping up the 2013 Great
Expectations Listening Tour with the gracious support of Maltby
Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization on Tuesday, May 7 at
7 p.m. in the school's library, 9700 212th Street SE, Snohomish.
Childcare is provided.
The conversation is simple. It includes perceptions of our strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and challenges as well as your vision for
public education next year, in five years and for the next generation.
Answers will be compiled and used by the School Board to shape the
schools’ vision and set goals for the future. Join us!
The conversation doesn’t need to end after the Listening Tour.
School Board Members are happy to talk with any group. You can
arrange such a visit or send your thoughts and ideas by email at
[email protected] They hope you will want to
continue this discussion as our community moves forward to prepare
highly successful learners for their next step after high school,
whatever that step may be.
11
Maltby Elementary School
7 p.m.
11
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