In this issue:

Proposal calls for grades 6-12 students to have own computer

Knights of Roundtable take stage in LWES comedy

District kudos

News briefs

Spotlight on Rock Creek

Construction at a glance

Coming up in Bear Country

Lunch menu

The evolution of how computers are used in the classroom is nearing its next step for Tahoma students: Every student in grades 6-12 would have a personal computer from the school district to use year-round, according to a proposal presented to the Tahoma School Board.

The proposal, which the school board heard at a recent work-study session, would help students by providing them with their own Chromebook tablet computer so that they could access learning materials online while also providing a tool for completing homework and other assignments at any time.

Equipping students with their own computer is not new; Tahoma has provided one-to-one computer access to certain groups of students -- such as high school language arts and social studies students -- for several years. What's different about this proposal is that students would essentially own their Chromebook for four years, including holiday and summer breaks, and then exchange it for a new one or return it to the district prior to graduation.

The shift to equipping students with their own computer reflects changes in how education is provided as well as in how ubiquitous computers have become.

"We are at a tipping point," Dawn Wakeley, director of Teaching and Learning for Tahoma, told the school board. "To do the kind of teaching we want, we need one-to-one" computer access.

As more classroom curriculum moves from printed books to online sources, Wakeley said students need ready access to the internet. Having their own tablet provides that resource.
The cost of equipping students with their own computer is actually less than if the district continues to purchase laptop computers for classroom use, as is the case now. Chromebooks are less expensive than laptops and fewer are needed under the one-to-one proposal, said Walt Szklarski, instructional technology coordinator. If the district continued with its current program of equipping classrooms with standard laptop computers and wanted to increase the number of computers in order to ensure that each student had a laptop during the school day, there would be about 1,700 more computers than students. That is because not all classrooms in middle school and high school are occupied every class period but would still have computers available.

Szklarski said the Chromebooks would not replace all Windows-based laptops; there is still a need for that kind of computer and operating system in science, technology, engineering, math, and career and technical education classes.

If the school board approves the one-to-one program, it would be paid for with funds from the next technology levy, which will go before voters in 2018.

Knights Ryan C., Urban C., and Jaxon S. discuss their thoughts of Sir Gawain during play practice this week.

On a recent afternoon in Gym B at Lake Wilderness Elementary, Lancelot, King Arthur, Merlin and Guinevere appeared, along with a few lesser-known but equally intriguing characters.

Portrayed by students in grades 3 through 5, the knights, sorcerer, a jester, minstrel and others are part of the play "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," which will be performed at 7 p.m. March 31 at the school. For many years, Lake Wilderness staff have organized an annual play outside of the Missoula Theatre productions performed at other Tahoma schools.

"Offering an opportunity for students to work hard, learn responsibility, and perform for their friends and family in the area of the arts is rewarding in itself," said teacher Melissa Huizenga, who leads the effort along with teacher Callie Nordell. "Seeing the self pride in their eyes when they've done something well, and the camaraderie among them is as much like team work on a sports team, but in a different arena."

Between 80 and 100 students typically audition, for casts of 20 to 35 roles. Huizenga and Nordell chose the "Sir Gawain" script because it has a good mix of male and female roles, and because they thought it was a fun twist on an older story, she said.

"Generally, we choose fractured fairy tales, and this year, we went with something just a little different," Huizenga added.

Narrated by a confident minstrel who sets the scene, the play begins on Christmas Eve in the year 865. Evil enchantress Morgan le Fay threatens to destroy Camelot unless the kingdom can produce a knight able to pass her tests of bravery, honesty and loyalty. Sir Gawain accepts the challenge and takes on the Green Knight. Over the course of a year, he successfully completes the three tests and wins the hand of Lady Elaine. At the end of the play, Merlin points out that Gawain's true character was what saved him, getting him through the year of trials.

Third-grader Ian S., age 9, who plays the Green Knight, said that he likes using his imagination during the play, whether in his role or backstage.

Fifth-grader Hadley H., 10, said she has learned through practicing not to laugh every time there are strange lines, and noted that she has been surprised at her ability to memorize her lines.

"I kind of like the fact that we're doing this just for fun," Hadley added.

The public performance of the play will be at 7 p.m. on March 31, although in-school performances are also planned.

"We truly enjoy this opportunity to work with kids who want to be here," Huizenga said. "This will be the last play at the current LWES building, and the kids are going to knock it out of the park!"

From left, minstrel Tamar R. watches as enchanted flowers Katherine S., Molly S., and Sophia H. drag John R., who plays one of the knights, during a play practice this week.

Speech & debate wins second at state

Tahoma High School's Speech and Debate team won the second place team sweepstakes award during a recent competition.

"It was a very tough competition with a lot of amazing competitors," adviser Kaveh Dilmaghani said.

Three students also qualified for the national tournament in Alabama this June: Elizabeth Davis, who won first place in Humorous Interpretation; Alyssa Gaston, who won second place in Dramatic Interpretation; and Carissa Hibbert, who won second place in Informative Speaking (Expository Speaking).

Courtesy photo Members of the THS speech and debate team pose for a photo with their awards and trophy. Top row: Aliyah Musaliar, Alyssa Gaston, Noelle Merclich, Carissa Hibbert. Bottom row: Seth Gaston, Joey Ribera.

High school DECA team competes at state

Students from Tahoma's DECA team participated in the state competition recently.

Results included:

• Tierra Wilson, second place in Marketing Communications and fifth place in Startup Business Plan.
• Asher Walker, fourth place in Entrepreneurship Innovations Plan.
• Cassidy Beyer, Brittney Keegan, Andrew Knight, and Corbin Alcott placed in the top 20 in their events.