2 replacement levies, bus levy on Feb. ballot
|
|
The School Board is asking voters to approve a two-year bus levy to purchase new buses to replace aging vehicles in the district's fleet. Tahoma has not run a vehicle levy since 2002.
|
|
|
The Tahoma School Board is asking voters to approve a bus levy along with two replacement levies on the Feb. 13, 2018 election ballot.
"This funding is essential to the operation of the school district," Superintendent Rob Morrow said. "If folks like the levels of learning, service, and programs that their students are receiving now, passing these measures is the way to maintain that."
At its Nov. 28 meeting, Tahoma School Board voted to authorize a two-year levy to purchase buses that will enlarge the fleet and also make it possible to retire older buses. The $2 million levy would be collected in 2019 and 2020 and would pay for as many as 15 large buses. The estimated cost to property owners is 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2019 and 13 cents per $1,000 in 2020. The district has not asked for a bus levy since 2002. Adding the bus levy means that voters will see three levy measures in February, including replacement levies for technology and educational programs and operations that the board previously approved. Those levies would be collected over four years, beginning in 2019. They would replace existing levies, though at a lower overall tax rate, and would provide funds for equipment, services and staff positions that do not receive state funding. A new state education tax, which is part of the Legislature's funding formula, goes into effect in 2018. The levies pay for different things than the construction bond measure approved by voters in 2013. The construction bond pays only for specific capital projects, such as the new Tahoma High School and new Lake Wilderness Elementary School. The school district sells bonds to raise money for construction and uses taxpayer funds to pay back the bonds over 20 years. By law, bond funds cannot be used for ongoing expenses, such as employee salaries or extracurricular programs. The Educational Programs and Operations levy is estimated to cost property owners a maximum of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value each year, which is half of what is currently being collected. The levy would pay for employees, supplies, transportation staffing and program costs not funded by the state, including special education. The technology levy is estimated to cost 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed value the first year and would raise $2.75 million each year to purchase computers, communications network equipment, software, and pay for technology support staff. The combined estimated cost of all three levies would be $2.03 per $1,000 in 2019, compared to $3.46 this year. A home valued at $400,000 would pay $812 per year for the three levies, compared to $1,384 this year. The school board decided to seek levy approval because, even with changes in how Washington state funds schools, there is still a gap between state funding and what Tahoma needs in order to provide students with a well-rounded education that meets district standards. The new state funding plan, approved last summer, does not pay for classroom technology and does not fully fund staffing costs, special education, athletics and other extracurricular activities, professional learning opportunities, or additional program offerings beyond basic education. The levies would help Tahoma maintain its current programs and staffing. Projections indicate that Tahoma taxpayers will see a reduction in the local school tax rate even with approval of the levies in February, due to the lower rate for the Educational Programs and Operations levy and the expected increase in property value throughout the school district.
Superintendent Rob Morrow will share further details and answer questions in a series of meetings, including each parent-teacher group, the Chamber, Rotary, Kiwanis, and more. Additional details will also be available on our website. Any questions can be sent to Morrow at [email protected] or Kevin Patterson at [email protected] or 413-3409.
|
|
Preregister next year's kindergartners by Jan. 10
|
After families preregister their child for kindergarten, they will receive a registration packet in the mail in January. Parents will bring their child's completed packet to the elementary school office the week of Jan. 22-26 to finalize the registration. Those who preregister will also receive monthly "Kindergarten Learning Connections" newsletters via email; and other early learning information.
If you know of a family with a child in the Tahoma School District who will be 5 by Aug. 31, 2018, please share this information with them.
|
Staff, students focus on safety for walkers, bicyclists
|
|
Tahoma High School students cross the street just east of the school. The district is paying for a crossing guard before school begins and when school lets out to increase safety. |
|
|
|
The people whose focus is on student safety each day are pleased with how Tahoma High School students have adjusted to walking and biking to school.
Karin Weihe, Tahoma High School security officer, said students have responded well and there have been few problems.
The new high school's location in the center of Maple Valley made walking, biking and even skateboarding to school possible, which is a big change from the former high school on the district's west border, where there are no safe-walk routes. THS students who live within a 1.5-mile radius do not have school bus service and must get themselves to school.
Though there is no accurate count, hundreds of students now get to school on foot or bicycle. So many students are riding bikes to school that there is a shortage of storage racks. Additional racks, created by students in the school's metals fabrication program, will be installed soon.
School and district officials have worked with city of Maple Valley and state Department of Transportation traffic experts to evaluate where safety and traffic improvements can be made. One of the changes already in place is posting an adult crossing guard on Tahoma Way, which is the east entrance to the high school, to assist students as they arrive and at dismissal. Other changes, including the addition of a left-turn arrow from Tahoma Way to SR 169, and improved street lighting are under consideration.
Students have had opportunities to learn more about pedestrian and bicycle safety at school, including two bike safety classes taught by School Resource Officer Carl Bonnell. Among the many safety tips offered as part of the class, Bonnell said he stresses the need for bike riders to always keep in mind that sharing the road with cars requires them to be alert and to clearly signal to drivers when they are turning or stopping.
Both Bonnell and Weihe said one of the more challenging lessons they are trying to impress upon student walkers and riders is to wear light-colored or reflective clothing, along with helmets and lights for cyclists. Another difficult lesson is to persuade students to avoid using smartphones and other devices that take their eyes and ears off the road or sidewalk.
Maple Valley Police have provided emphasis patrols to enforce speed limits and traffic safety laws.
|
|
|
Paganelli, Henkel take oath of office for School Board
|
|
|
|
Paganelli
|
Val Paganelli is eager to begin a new chapter of her involvement in public schools as the newest member of the Tahoma School Board.
Paganelli was sworn in at the board's Nov. 28 meeting by Superintendent Rob Morrow. Tahoma voters elected Paganelli on the November ballot, and also re-elected Tami Henkel for a new term. Henkel ran unopposed.
A parent of two, including a current Tahoma senior and an older son, Paganelli moved to Maple Valley with her family in 2010. She said volunteering and participating in the classroom, in fundraising and in other efforts, has always been a priority regardless of which school district her children attended.
"I think to me, the school district has been a place to be able to make an impact and a difference that is felt. ... I would say (serving on the school board) is the continued evolution of being involved and being engaged," Paganelli said. "Kids take you places that you can't script. We just generally have given and participated as they grew."
Her education includes a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics, and she has worked as a consulting actuary and in the business actuarial unit for a large company. In recent years Paganelli has worked as a financial advisor in Maple Valley. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching baseball, being outdoors and with her family's animals, which include dogs, cats, chickens and a horse.
Since the community approved the 2013 construction bond, she has served as one of the parent representatives on the Bond Oversight Committee, which reviewed project updates, spending and projections on the new high school, the new Lake Wilderness Elementary and the other projects funded by the bond measure.
"It was certainly a runway to considering a run for School Board," Paganelli said, noting that she felt her time on the committee was a good introduction to reviewing district procedures, asking questions and representing her fellow community members.
She said that given her background in finance, she expects to be able to contribute more immediately, while she expects to do a lot of learning on topics related to Teaching and Learning, such as curriculum. Paganelli said she's interested in supporting the Future Ready Initiative, and helping to make sure it stays relevant and engaging for Tahoma students.
"I feel invigorated right now, in part because this is my first time in my adult years when I've gotten to invest professionally, personally and from a service standpoint."
Paganelli represents District 5, replacing Tim Adam, who chose not to seek re-election. The board's other members are Mary Jane Glaser, Didem Pierson and Bill Clausmeyer.
For more about the board, including the schedule and agendas for meetings, click here.
|
|
|
THS students earn instant admission to Central
|
|
|
Macie Skeen and Carla Avila
|
|
|
Seventeen Tahoma High School students received "on-the-spot" admission to Central Washington University last week, during a special visit from two admissions counselors. An additional 10 students attended the event to receive information and begin the process, but some needed to take the SAT, ACT or fulfill other requirements.
For quite a few of the students, the whole process - filling out the online application, providing additional items such as transcripts and test scores, and waiting to hear a "yes" -- took less than an hour.
Tahoma seniors Macie Skeen and Carla Avila said they were both excited to find out they were accepted, and Skeen noted that Central is one of the top few schools she is considering.
Another newly accepted senior, Jonathon Westbrook, also said CWU is high on his list of possible colleges.
"I was definitely happy. ... I never expected to find out so soon!" said Westbrook, who is planning to study physical therapy.
A first for Tahoma, the same-day admissions event is one that CWU is offering at about 40 high schools throughout the state, a handful of which are in King County, said Brittney Mailhot and Shannon Glenn, the visiting admissions counselors.
For more photos from the event, visit our Instagram account.
|
|
District kudos
|
|
Cheer team qualifies 2 squads for state competition
|
The Tahoma High School cheerleading team qualified two squads for the WIAA Cheerleading State Championships Jan. 27 in Battle Ground, Wash. The last time Tahoma qualified was 2013, coach Chuck Chartrey said. Tahoma also will compete in the junior varsity "Game Day" category for a state championship title Jan. 20 at Kentwood High School.
|
THS speech & debate hosts 36-school tourney
The Tahoma High School speech and debate team recently hosted 36 schools with more than 500 entries from across the state of Washington.
"It was a great experience to host it in our new building," said adviser Kaveh Dilmaghani. "Having everything in one, single building made everything move more efficient and easy, compared to previous years. We also received quite a few compliments from other coaches about our amazing new school." In addition to working hard to help run the tournament, Tahoma speech and debaters had great performances. Results included:
- Cami Fairbanks and Cate Thorpe, first place, novice duo interpretationAliyah Musaliar, second place, open impromptu; finalist, open extemporaneous speaking
- Liz Davis, third place, open humorous interpretation
- Joey Ribera, third place, open impromptu
- Eliza Brooks, semifinalist, novice Lincoln Douglas debate
- Hitesh Boinpally and Will Chadek: quarterfinalists, open public forum debate
VFW speech contest winners selected
FIRST Lego League teams chosen for semifinals
|
A Girl Scout troop including nine Tahoma students participated in the FIRST Lego League team competition last weekend and was chosen to advance to the semifinals in January. Pictured: front row from left, Shelby M. and Myranda R. Standing, from left, Sophia Y., Annika S., Avery E., Veronica C., Eva G., Yasmine M., Anna Lee M. and Abigail G. Dubbed "The Electric Squirrels," the team was also awarded the "Gracious Professionalism" award, which represented a perfect score in the "core values" division.
|
|
Also competing in last weekend's FIRST Lego League qualifying event were the "FLLying Turtles," who won the "Robot Mechanical Design" award, and will also advance to the semifinals. Above, from left: Simrith S., Meghan L., Addison B., Hayden U. and Leah T.
|
Tahoma senior places in cyclocross World Cup
|
Tahoma High School senior Scott Funston recently competed in the junior men's Cyclocross World Cup in Germany, where he placed eighth. The achievement, coupled with a 12th-place finish in the Flandriencross race in Belgium, will likely qualify Scott for nomination to the U.S. Nationals Team, said his mother, Rebecca Funston.
|
|
|
Spotlight on Lake Wilderness
|
Lake Wilderness students discover "different-abilities"
|
|
Lake Wilderness students participate in a marshmallow activity, which helps them understand what it might be like to speak with a speech impediment.
|
|
|
The I.D.E.A. (Interactive Disability Education Awareness) Project visited Lake Wilderness Elementary School last week, to help students learn more about one another. Headed by Tahoma parent Allison Bureau, the nonprofit program brings assemblies and hands-on activities to schools throughout the region.
"We all have 'different-abilities,' rather than thinking of it as 'disabilities,'" Dean of Students Jennifer McPherson said. "This subject is not only an integral piece to thinking about our school culture in general ... It was a perfect follow-up to our month-long, school wide preventative efforts in October alongside Anti-Bullying Month, and will serve as a great reference point in launching future work with student culture around being kind that we have planned for this year."
All grades and classes participated in the activities, including SAIL students. Activities ask that students try to complete school-related tasks, while experiencing different sensory and processing difficulties. For example, they might be asked to wear headphones that are playing loud static while they try to listen to verbal instructions; or, they might try to put on and button up a jacket while wearing gloves. At another station, students try to complete a maze looking only in a mirror.
"Parent feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," McPherson said. "The general feeling was that this was an important piece to our school culture, and that the IDEA Project was a great way to start the conversation with students."
KOMO News visited during the presentations, and is working on a feature piece about the IDEA Project that will air soon.
To learn more about the IDEA Project, click here.
|
|
|
News briefs
|
2 new SLES efforts support literacy
Members of the Shadow Lake PTA are working with school staff and families to support literacy in two new ways.
"Specifically, we were hoping to help give students opportunities that they might not have at home," said Jamie Fairbanks, PTA vice president. "From that came the idea to get books into the hands of students in many ways."
One effort sends home new and gently used books with students who receive bags of food for the weekend through the Backpack Buddies program. While the details are still being worked out, the plan is for books in the student's reading level to be attached after packed bags of food are delivered to the school, and before they are given to the students, said Melanie Person, school counselor. About 40 Shadow Lake students currently receive bags from Backpack Buddies each week.
Fairbanks said the school will have a book drive Dec. 11-20, collecting new and used books. Anyone who would like to donate may bring children's books to the Shadow Lake office. Each child will receive at least one book to start with, but more will be sent home as supplies allow, she said.
"The goal would be to create their own library at home where they can read," Fairbanks said.
Backpack Buddies of Maple Valley is a nonprofit organization headed up by two Tahoma employees and parents, Mindy Gamble and Jenny Nold. To learn more,
visit the organization's Facebook page.
The second effort calls for creating two "Little Free Libraries" at the school, which will operate with no deadlines. One will be outside the school near the front office, and a second on the playground; they will be up and running in January.
"One of my biggest problems with traditional libraries are the deadline," Fairbanks said, noting that it is nice for people to be able to borrow a book without any added stress of getting it back on time. "Little Free Libraries have no deadlines; books come and go as the patrons please. ... It takes the pressure off you, and you are able to enjoy books and share books you enjoy! Additionally, one of our goals as a parent group is to create a better community for our children. I believe that these libraries provide another opportunity for us to build our community at Shadow Lake."
Video announcements entertain, inform Tigers
Shadow Lake Principal Mike Hanson and Dean of Students Scott Mitchell have taken to the airwaves to bring the week's news to their students and staff. The duo's new video announcements are both entertaining and filled with information.
"We decided that video announcements would add more opportunities to build community at Shadow Lake," Hanson said. "It allows more student involvement and has helped us connect kids to the school more."
The video format offers the opportunity to include games, such as showing a close-up photograph of Hanson and Mitchell somewhere around the school campus, with a challenge to students to identify where it was taken. They also celebrate achievements such as students of the month, and share highlights from the lunch menu.
Or, for this week's segment, click here:
|
Shadow Lake Dean of Students Scott Mitchell (left) and Principal Mike Hanson star in the school's weekly video announcements.
|
"Creative Innovators" recognized this month
It's December and that means we're celebrating Creative Innovators this month throughout the Tahoma School District. Creative Innovators approach challenges, problems, and creative endeavors with creativity and an innovation mindset. We know that in addition to strong academic skills, students need to practice and build their Future Ready Skills. Though the Future Ready Skills have been a part of our program for a long time, this year we started highlighting and celebrating one skill each month in order to give each skill special attention throughout the Tahoma community. When you visit your child's school, you'll likely notice posters featuring the skill of the month posted throughout the building.
Teachers and parents can now find everything they need to support and celebrate students' growth and development of the Future Ready Skills in one place: the Future Ready Skills website. Parents may be particularly interested in the Ready! Set! Go! Conversation Guides for Parents. These guides are intended to familiarize parents with each of the skills, and also to encourage them to have a conversation with their child around particular skills. Helping students see the relevancy and importance of the Future Ready Skills beyond the classroom is essential, and these guides can help parents do just that.
This week: Celebrate Hour of Code with us
It's Computer Science Education Week, and we hope you will celebrate by setting aside one hour to participate in a global movement called Hour of Code If you missed our email about this activity, please check out the information in this post, and have fun writing your own computer code as a family!
It's a great chance to see what your elementary student already knows about computer coding, and what they can, in turn, teach you. Here's how to participate:
- Set aside an hour on your calendar to code with your son, daughter or family member.
- Check out the tutorials on the Hour of Code website or Tahoma's website to decide how to spend your hour together. Other options include free apps such as Scratch Jr., Lightbot, Code Hour and Cargo-Bot.
- Complete your hour together as pair programmers, which means that you take turns writing the code and watching, switching frequently.
- If you happen to take any fun photos of your family working on this project, send them to your child's STEM teacher, or email them to us at [email protected]
- If your son or daughter is currently taking STEM class in elementary school, he or she can pick up an award certificate in class or the office to complete and present to their family pair programmer.
Please note that not all Tahoma elementary students currently have STEM, so if your student hasn't had a chance to experience this awesome class yet, it will happen soon!
For more information:
https://hourofcode.com/us
Levy pro, con committee statements needed
Pro and con statements regarding the Feb. 13 levy election for Tahoma School District must be submitted to King County Elections no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. According to King County Elections, the school district has the responsibility to appoint pro and con committees that will write statements for the voter's pamphlet.
According to the King County Elections Jurisdiction Manual: "The jurisdiction is responsible for appointing pro and con committees (by Dec. 15) to prepare statements in favor of and in opposition to the ballot measure. Pro and con committees consist of members of the public who commit to write a statement either in favor of or in opposition to a ballot measure. Each committee is limited to three members, but the committee can have an unlimited number of persons assist them to prepare the statements. Each committee must designate a spokesperson with whom King County Elections will communicate all matters related to the local voters' pamphlet."
Persons interested in being part of the pro or con committee are asked to contact Kevin Patterson, Tahoma director of communication, by calling 425-413-3409 or by email at
[email protected]. The deadline for volunteering to serve on the committees is 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.
Gently used board games requested
Families who might be replacing older board games with new ones this holiday season are asked to consider donating certain games to the students at Summit Trail and Maple View middle schools.
Middle school students will have opportunities to participate in spring classes that will use board games to teach thinking and strategy skills. In the interest of saving money, and "re-use and recycle," we are are asking for donations of gently used games from the community.
Games that will be used in the classes include: Mastermind, Blockus, chess, Mancala, Stratego, Catan, and Risk. Donated games can be dropped at each school's main office or at Tahoma's Central Services Center, 25720 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE.
Students perform in high school talent show
|
Tahoma High School students performed in the second talent show of the year during Power Hour Wednesday. Above, the jazz combo of Trevor Lind on bass, Lizzy Burt on piano, Haylee Frame on alto sax, Caleb Hays on drums and Zach Ceccato on guitar. In other acts, performers included Christina Ring, Jacob Bennett and Leo Moore.
|
|
|
|
Construction at a glance
|
Crews use crane to place drainage vault underground
|
|
A large crane visited Shadow Lake Elementary School on Thursday to lift concrete sections in place for an underground drainage vault that is part of the new playground being constructed on the site. The new playground will use Foreverlawn, a synthetic ground covering that will allow usage regardless of weather conditions. Work will continue into the spring to prepare the new play area.
|
|
Coming up in Bear Country
|
Cedar River Elementary PTO Family Movie Night, 6 p.m., CRES
"Miracle on 34th Street, the Play" continues, 7 p.m., Tahoma High School PAC
Tahoma Elementary School PTO movie night, 6:30 p.m., TES
TUESDAY, Dec. 12 Maple View Middle School band concert, 7 p.m., MVMS Summit Trail Middle School band concert, 7 p.m., STMS
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13
Tahoma High School choir concert, 7 p.m., THS PAC
THURSDAY, Dec. 14 Tahoma High School band concert, 7 p.m., THS PAC
FRIDAY, Dec. 15
Rock Creek Elementary PTO gingerbread family night, 6 p.m., RCES "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind," concert by THS choirs and MV community choir, 7 p.m., THS PAC
MONDAY, Dec. 18 Glacier Park Elementary choir concert, 7 p.m., GPES
Lake Wilderness Elementary choir concert, 7 p.m., LWES
Shadow Lake Elementary choir concert, 6:30 p.m., SLES
THURSDAY
, Dec. 21
NO SCHOOL, districtwide, for Winter Break, Dec. 21- Jan. 2
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3 School resumes after Winter Break
|
What's for lunch?
|
The Tahoma School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Title IX Officer
Director of Human Resources
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
[email protected]
ADA Coordinator
Director of Human Resources
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
[email protected]
Section 504 Coordinator
Director of Special Services
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
[email protected]
|
|