School News September 2007
Year Off to a GREAT Start
Wow! When I determined the theme for this year to be “Being Great,” I had no idea that the students would rise to the occasion so well. So far, students are being courteous, kind, and diligent in getting their work done. I am so proud of them. Not that they have been perfect, but they are working very hard at being great. In Mrs. Bowman’s class she has had every single student turn in everything she has asked for. Now that is BEING GREAT.
In the last newsletter, I promised you a question you could ask your child that would help them be successful. This question will also help the staff be more purposeful in their teaching. Ready for the question – Here it is – “What did you learn today?” – I know it sounds simple, and I know at least initially you might get, “I don’t know” or “Stuff.” However, please keep asking. The teachers are working on targeted learning, which simply is telling the students what they will need to know, teaching them, telling them what they learned and then asking them, “What did you learn today?” The goal is for the target and the learning to be the same. You can help your child retain what they learned by asking, “What did you learn today?” Initially, at least, you should just focus on one of their classes, but as the children get better at verbalizing their learning, you might actually get a whole conversation out of them.
Mileage ClubDuring lunch recess some students are taking part in a mileage club. For each mile they complete, they get a little plastic foot, and the higher the mileage, the more feet and other trinkets they will earn. We will also be keeping track of total mileage for the year and we will see how ‘far’ we walk across America. Throughout the year we will also have special fun walks. For September it will be the School Days Stomp and October will be the Pumpkin Run. If you are available to come and walk/run with us during lunch, please do. Recess times are 11:00 for the Elementary, 11:30 for the Middle School and 12:00 for the High School. We have participants at every level, and we would love to have you join us. As of Tuesday, all together staff & students have walked 25 miles.
Open House September 20thI would like to invite each one of you to the Open House. Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 and open house from 6:00 to 8:00. Teachers will greet you in their classrooms. See you thereJ.
School Pictures
September 24, 2007.
Kindergarten
I have four wonderful kindergarteners this year, and one of them is a girl! Yeah! (Last year I had five boys.)
Edie the preschool teacher did a great job getting these four students ready for kindergarten. They come into the classroom every morning with big smiles, eager to start the day. I know we are going to have an awesome year! Ann Walker
Volleyball Schedule
September14th - Home @ 5:00 Cedar Park
18th - Away @ 5:00 Grace Academy
21st – Home @ 5:00 N. Sound Christian
25th – Away @ 3:45 Marysville
28th – Away @ 5:00 Lummi
October
1st – Home @ 5:00 Highland Christian
3rd – Home @ 5:00 Providence Christian
5th – Away @ 5:00 Cedar Park
9th – Away @ 3:30 Snohomish C
12th – Away @ 4:00 Cedar Park
16th – Away @ 6:00 N. Sound Christian
19th – Home @ 5:00 Grace Academy
23rd – Away @ 4:00 Highland Christian
26th – Home @ 5:00 Lummi
30th – Away @ 2:00 Lopez
Volleyball Season is upon Us
The Skykomish Volleyball team will again be competing against other varsity teams in the Northwest B League. Matches began on September 11 at home against perennial favorite Lopez. On Friday, September 14 the girls play another home match versus Cedar Park – Everett. See the entire schedule. In all there will eight home matches.
As in years past we will be offering the popular All-Sports Seasons Pass. This will give entry to all immediate family members to both the volleyball and basketball season games. The cost is $30. An Individual Season Pass will be $20.
The girls put in a lot of practice time and have been quite competitive with the other NW B League teams. Matches are often close and make for interesting and exciting viewing.
We hope to see you at as many matches as you can attend. Your attendance (and cheers) are certainly appreciated by the girls. Go Rockets!
News from the 3rd and 4th
Grade Class
The 3rd and 4th grade class, (also known as the graduating class of 2016 and 2017), are off to a great start this school year. In addition to a lot of hard work on the usual subjects, the class is working on adopting a new section of forest service road for litter pick-up- a two mile stretch of Beckler River Road. Being a part of the Adopt-a-Road program teaches the students life long lessons on care and maintenance of our environment. Also on the walk, the students gain new insights on the interaction between nature and people and hopefully grow to be more responsible adults as a result of this.
Notes from the
School Counselor
We have now finished our first week of school and it is time to look ahead to some up and coming dates.
The AIDS/HIV curriculums for grades 5-12 will be in the counseling room for parents and guardians to review. If you do not want your child to participate in the state mandatory teaching about AIDS/HIV, parents/guardians can sign a form that will withdraw your student from participating.
We have two tests for High school students this fall. The PSAT will be given to 10 and 11th grades on October 17and the ASVAB will be given to 10-12th grades, on Wednesday Nov. 14th. More information will be sent home as we near these test dates.
Also, The WASL parent reports have been sent home to grades 4-12. If you have any questions about the results please call me at 360-677-2623 ext. 223.
Thank you for your support
Kathy McCowan
School Counselor
PTSO NEWS
DeLana Slone - PTSO President
The Skykomish School’s PTSO (Parent/Teacher/Student Organization) would like to welcome you all back to school. A special welcome goes out to our new staff and students. It is membership time again and dues may be turned in to Cindy Pugh or DeLana Slone. Dues at this time are $10 per individual and $15 per family. Membership money helps to pay for our ski program, swim program, field trips, scholarships etc. We will be sending home a letter soon and will have a booth set up at Open House on September 20th to sign you up and answer any questions you may have. Also, just around the corner (Oct 20th) is our annual pumpkin party. We are in desperate need of Volunteers this year. Without new Volunteers, we will not be able to continue with the programs we provide. Please sign up to help support our program. Thanks for all of your support!
A few notes from the KitchenWelcome Students, Parents and Staff back to school! This school year is going to be great. First a few business things, Recent legislation was passed which eliminated co-payment for students eligible for reduced-price lunches in public schools only. This is not for all children. Starting July 1 2007 public school students in grades k-3, who are eligible for reduced-priced lunches, will not make co-payments for lunches. Again this year all students eligible for free or reduced priced lunches will not pay a co-payment for breakfast. This year students will have to pay co-payments or the full price for lunches at the time of service. The school doesn’t have accounts set up to bill you later and wait for payment. Please send your student(s) with breakfast and/or lunch money daily. This year I will be introducing lunch cards. You may purchase lunches/breakfast in advance. Your student(s) will be able to be responsible of how many remaining lunches they have. This was an issue last school year and I am trying to figure out a way to make it less time consuming for me so I have more menu planning time. This will also eliminate having to include the business office on trying to collect monies owed. Currently there are monies owed from last school year that have not been paid. If your child comes to school with out money or a lunch, I will issue an emergency meal which will not be reimbursed. At that time I will make a phone call home. For all students that qualified for free or reduced priced meals last school year, you need to reapply this year. Guidelines had changed a little. I have told every student, in hopes the message had been relayed home. Due to the increase price of stamps last year, I will be making phone calls home. Please have your new application turned in no later then 09/28/2007. On October 1, 2007, if your application was not updated and re-qualified your student(s) will be at the full price rate. These forms need to be updated and sent to the state by this time. I have sent forms home and tried to remind the students, but if you need a free/reduced lunch form, please feel free to contact me or just stop by. Students love it when a parent stops by at lunch time to say “hello”.
Music ClassDoes your child like to sing? Want him or her to learn to play an instrument? Then ask your child to JOIN the Skykomish Music Club! Students in grades 5-12 may participate in the Music Club, which is a NEW part of the After School Program. Students may choose singing, playing an instrument, or both in the Music Club. The After School Program meets Mondays through Thursdays, from 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., with bus transportation available. The Music Club will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:40 p.m.–3:30 p.m. For more information on enrolling your child in the After School Program, please contact Mrs. Walker at 360-677-2623, ext. 204. For more information about the Music Club, please call Miss Evanson at 360-677-2623, ext. 222. Thank you!
New Science Teacher
“Life is a journey, not a destination” is a quote that I have lived by for the greater part of my life. My name is Sarah Crowder and I am excited to join Skykomish School as the new science teacher. I join the faculty with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Sierra Nevada College, in Lake Tahoe and a wealth of experience as a natural and cultural history interpreter.
Spending my winters in the mountains and summers out on the water, I have been able to see and experience a plethora of what nature has to offer. While employed by a cruise line I was able to travel the waters of South East Alaska and Prince William Sound as a kayak and expedition guide. I was able to observe the affects that salmon have on the ecosystem and provide a deeper understanding of the web of life.
I have also spent some time as a Park Ranger for the BLM on the Oregon coast. I was able to witness the restoration of a historical land mark, create protection areas for marine life, and share the plethora of information (historical and natural) that the park had to offer. Thus, giving me a greater appreciation for how nature and people interact.
Finally, I have come to Skykomish from Bend, Oregon where I worked a nature center that gave refuge for injured wildlife. Granted some of the task were not always pleasant to do, cleaning the raptors enclosures or cutting rodents in half for food, However, it gave me a great love for the wildlife that are affected by human development, while also giving me a greater understanding of the term “Survival of the fittest.”
My philosophy of education is to use my positive attitude, understanding, and energy to instill, inspire, and encourage everybody to feel safe to learn, express their creativity, and find an appreciation for the world that surrounds them. Students should be able to apply their knowledge to their life; implement it to achieve purpose to their school work, give it worth and value. School is not just about the content that they study but also how they can use that content to enrich their lives now and on their journey through life.
I am looking forward to a great year here at Skykomish School and getting to know everybody!
Greetings from the 1st and 2nd Grade!Let me introduce myself. My name is Kimberly Kearns and I am the new 1st and 2nd grade teacher. I am so excited to start a new year with your wonderful children, here at Skykomish. I was born and raised in this area, and this is a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to teach in a small school and particularly in these mountains. The beauty and wonder in our surrounding environment inspires and strengthens me. To be on the river, see the mountains, and see the sky are truly what makes me happy.
I have two children, Jordan, a freshman in college, and Hannah, a sophomore in High School. I have 3 cats, a fish, and a wonderful garden.
We have spent our first two weeks of school getting to know each other, getting to know the routines and schedules in the classroom, and investigating all the new books and parts to the curriculum that we will be using this year. We are off to an awesome start.
This year we will be focusing on Reading, Writing, and Math. The children will be working hard every day in grade level reading groups becoming, “Good Readers…” Ask your child, “What do good readers do?” We will be using an outstanding reading curriculum that your district has chosen. We will build literacy skills using direct instruction and guided practice. The focus will be on Phonics, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Our writing work will tie into these lessons. This will include spelling, phonemic awareness, and grammar. Each student will work in a small group and individually to become strong readers and writers, which I consider to be the cornerstone of any students learning.
In Math, we will engage in solving math problems in ways that make sense to students. We will talk, write, and draw our math problems. We will also explore materials and use them to build models of our work. I hope to encourage the children to work together, share ideas, and learn from each others ideas as well.
I am busy preparing for our first Science Unit which will cover Rocks, Pebbles, Sand, and Silt. So, send in your coolest rocks to share! We have just started Social Studies, and I am amazed at how much your children already know about their families and lives, their school, their community, their state, and their country!
It’s going to be a busy and exciting year, and I am looking forward to meeting all of you at the Open House on September 20, 2007. See you all there!
Ms. Kearns
Skykomish Harassment Policy
Statement from the DirectorsWe, the Board of Directors and Superintendent for the Skykomish School District #404 are committed to ensuring a harassment-free environment. The district prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, sex, race or national origin. We are confident that we can all work together to eliminate harassment from the school and workplace.
Skykomish District School and Workplace Harassment Policy
* The Skykomish policy is to have a healthy, productive, harassment-free education environment where all employees, students, and the public we serve are valued and treated with mutual respect. Our goal is to provide and maintain an educational atmosphere that encourages each employee to develop positively towards personal goals without being subjected to harassment. Sexual harassment is illegal and will not be tolerated in any form. All individuals have the primary responsibility for maintaining conduct that is professional and supportive of this environment. To achieve this goal, the District Superintendent is the Title IX/504 Coordinator. The Superintendent can be reached at (360) 677-2623 ext 218. (Board Policy #6590, Adopted 01.25.99)
Staff, directors, and others will take all allegations seriously. They will take immediate action to investigate the incident, to resolve the situation, to protect the individuals targeted by the alleged harasser, and to take all reasonable steps to ensure that no further harassment or retaliation occurs. All staff, directors, and others shall receive training on prevention of harassment.
Definitions
Sexual harassment is unwanted behavior of a sexual or gender directed nature.
Federal EEOC - Sexual Harassment is illegal in two arenas: the workplace and the school. One of the earliest definitions was issued by the Federal Employment Opportunity Commission on its "Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Sex" (29 C.F.R. Section 1604.11, 1980)
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
This behavior constitutes sexual harassment when one of these criteria is met:
Submission to such conduct is made either implicitly as a term or condition of employment. (Quid Pro Quo)
Submission to or rejection of such conducts used as a basis for employment decisions affecting an individual. (Quid Pro Quo)
Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. (Hostile Environment)
Federal Title IX - Sexual harassment of students is an illegal form of sex discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits sex discrimination on the delivery of services or in the provision of benefits in education programs receiving federal financial assistance. It is based on the fact that such conduct constitutes differential treatment on the basis of sex. (34 C.F.R. Section 106.31)
"No person on the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal Financial assistance."
The Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education has jurisdiction over sexual harassment in education. This jurisdiction includes students and employees. OCR issued this definition of sexual harassment in schools in 1981:
"Sexual harassment consists of verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, imposed on the basis of sex, by an employee or agent of a recipient (district) that denies limits, provides different, or conditions the provision of aid, benefits, services or treatment protected under Title IX."
Legal Reference: RCW 28A640.020 Regulation, guidelines to eliminate discrimination – Scope
WAC 392-190-056 to 58
Sexual Harassment
Responsibilities:
Everyone has an obligation to prevent and immediately stop offensive behavior by students, employees, board members, contractors, and visitors.
1. Contact the District Title IX/504 Officer (the District Superintendent) to investigate the allegation.
2. Handle all complaints and grievances equitably, promptly, sensitively, and confidentially.
3. Encourage any alleged victim to report harassment, to seek assistance, and if desired, to make use of the complaint process.
4. In all instances, document what has happened and the action taken.
5. Follow up with any individual who has reported harassment to advise the individual(s) involved of the actions taken.
It is important that individuals who believe that they are being harassed or retaliated against recognize harassment for what it is. Understand that the individual has the right to complain and take action. It is the organization's responsibility to prevent and eliminate harassment. However, individuals should exercise any one or more of the following options as soon as possible.
1. Tell the harasser to stop the offensive behavior and that it is unwelcome and inappropriate.
If uncomfortable with this option continue with option #2.
2. Report the conduct to the Title IX/504 Officer.
3. Keep a written record of any incident of harassment and steps to correct the offensive behavior, and the results.
Consequences
Skykomish School District #404 employees who engage in harassment will face the consequences following the disciplinary section of the negotiated agreement.
Employees and supervisors who do not take action when they know that harassment is occurring will face the same consequences.
Confidentiality
A report of sexual harassment or intimidation and the investigation are to be kept in strictest confidence, where practical, for the protection of all parties involved; however, the district's obligation to investigate and take corrective action may supersede an individual's right to privacy.
Sanctions
A substantiated charge against an employee of the district shall subject the employee to disciplinary action in accordance with any appropriate employee contract, up to and including termination.
Notification
* Notice of the existence of this policy, prevention plan and procedures shall be posted in prominent locations in all District buildings, including information on how to receive a copy.
* You may obtain a copy of this policy by submitting a request to:
Office of the District Superintendent
P.O. Box 325
Skykomish, WA 98288
360.677.2623 Fax: 360.677.2418
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
20 U.S. C. Section 168 (a), P.L. 92-318
