"This is just helpful for later on," DeBolt explained. The ninth-grader noted that the most useful thing he learned in shop class last year was how to correctly use a scroll saw, which was vital to some of their projects.

Learning how to make things by hand is a valued skill, and one that many students find translates into attractive and good-paying careers after high school. That's why fabrication and other Career and Technical Education course offerings will be a cornerstone of the Future Ready Initiative at the new Tahoma High School.

At the junior high this year, teacher Scott Newton teaches a semester-long "Shop 8," which is manufacturing and industrial technology that focuses on woodworking and computer-aided design, with some metal working. In his year-long "Shop 9" class, also called "Precision Production Trades Foundation," Newton covers industry safety, woodworking, metalworking, computer-aided design and small engines. Students also use a program called Inventor to design their own unique barbecue grill, which they then fabricate. Next fall, Newton will teach multiple sections of fabrication at the new high school.

"My courses provide students with an opportunity to apply entry-level job skills to practical problem solving activities," Newton said. "In addition to learning and practicing specific technical welding, designing, machining and fabrication skills, my students leave as quality producers, which includes the ability to evaluate their own work."

"This is the kind of Future Ready skill that is extremely valuable in any career path. Additionally, all of my students learn to be conscientious workers, which includes being dependable, and having a strong work ethic," he added. "These skills are valuable in industrial, office, medical and school settings, among others."

In recent years, the high school and the district have been working to increase the selection of Career and Technical Education programs available. Tahoma has added teachers and courses in computer science, fashion design and American Sign Language, as well as 3-D modeling. It's not solely a high school focus; introductory CTE courses are available at the middle schools and junior high through a program called Project Lead the Way and other courses at the junior high such as Newton's classes.

In 2012, more than 50 community members, staff and regional college representatives attended a series of meetings called the "Future Ready Cafe," which helped lay out guidelines and priorities, THS Principal Terry Duty recalls.

"At the cafe meetings, we determined that a focus on living-wage careers and pathways to future employment need to be our lighthouse," Duty said. "Boeing executives shared a strong desire to have programs that developed critical problem-solving skills such as automotive and manufacturing programs -- programs in which students could graduate career-ready."

The group also discussed programs such as culinary arts, which are expensive programs to run and traditionally funnel students into lower-wage jobs. Teams chose to focus Tahoma resources into other fields offering livable wage jobs in technology, health sciences and manufacturing. However, students who are particularly interested in culinary arts will still be able to take classes through Tahoma's partnership with the Puget Sound Skills Center.

At the new high school next fall, the following programs will be offered (note that some of these have multiple course offerings): agriculture (including plant science, animal science and floral design), automotive technology, video production, family and consumer science (including child development, skills for life and more), computer science, computer hardware, marketing, business education, metal fabrication, welding, health science, robotics and interpreting, said Doug Burnham, director of Career and Technical Education and associate principal. Of those programs, many are already working with local community colleges so that students can earn credits toward their two-year degrees while learning at our school, Burnham noted. This improvement will give students a head start on their coursework with schools such as Green River and Renton Technical College.

Next year, when the ninth-graders rejoin the high school at the new building, THS will switch from six periods to an eight-period model, allowing more students to take the courses (and allowing some teachers to offer a new course).

Each of Tahoma's CTE programs establish five-year goals and work toward meeting those goals, Burnham said. And, each program is also working with a community advisory board to help keep teachers aware of current industry standards and also with what employers are looking for in job candidates, Burnham said.

The auto technology program, for example, has a thriving advisory committee. Over the past two years, instructor Luke Thompson has made continual additions and improvements, such as adding the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. Here's a sampling of what those in the industry have told Thompson about ASE:

Keith Lewis, owner of ProTow Motorplex in Maple Valley: "ASE Certification is a statement of commitment. Your commitment is a statement that we should hire you."

Larry Jemtegaard, Napa Auto Parts in Covington: "When sorting through many applications, the candidates with the most documented skills move to the top, and ASE Certification is a nationally recognized accreditation that employers like to see."

Eric VanRuff, owner, Wilderness Auto Service and Chevron in Maple Valley: "To us, an ASE Certification means the individual has what it takes to excel and has the ambition to be a top-qualified technician."

Tahoma's auto technology program is now accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation with a nationally recognized certification as well. Some students who complete Thompson's program are able to move on to work in the industry with no further training, while others work at related businesses such as Jiffy Lube.

Architects consulted the CTE teachers were when the new building was being designed, and the fabrication classrooms in between the robotics and auto technology classrooms, so that teachers and students can collaborate on projects and areas of learning where there is crossover between the courses. For example, Newton's students have already fabricated engine stands and a front end stand for use in Tahoma High School's auto technology classes.

"I think being right next to each other is going to be really helpful," Newton said, noting that many of his students are interested in auto technology, robotics, engineering and design, and vice versa.

"I'm excited about the opportunity for our teachers to work together and not in independent silos," Burnham said.

Back in Newton's classroom, ninth-grader John Cefalu was working on his welding techniques. Cefalu, who said he plans to go into the military after high school, chose to take shop because it teaches vital skills.

"It's great life experience," he said. "Everything that you learn here you will carry with you all your life."

The open houses begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. Principals for the 2017-2018 school year are:

The public meeting, held Sept. 9 and 10 at a hotel conference room in Leavenworth, is designed to provide the school board with extended time to discuss issues in depth and to plan for the 2016-2017 school year. No formal decisions were made at the meeting.

Among the topics discussed this year were: a review of construction projects and timelines; discussion of the school district's attendance policy; water testing; annual reorganization of responsibilities for school board members; changing the format for site plan presentations by school principals; how music and arts programs will be evaluated as part of a model review; discussion about fund raising by boosters and other support groups; and discussion of dates and format for dedication of the new Tahoma High School, Lake Wilderness Elementary School and four schools that will be renamed.

Formal action on those and other topics takes place at regular board meetings. The school board usually meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Central Services Center. The Sept. 27 meeting will be held at Tahoma High School, where the board will honor Advanced Placement scholars.

Elementary students throughout Tahoma will be receiving "Be Here Bucks" for attending school this year, in an effort to help encourage steady attendance and save absences for when students are ill. And while the cash is fake, the incentive is real.

September is Attendance Awareness month nationwide, and the kick-off of a yearlong focus on improving attendance throughout Tahoma. More than 16 percent of Tahoma students were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) last year, compared with less than 6 percent in Issaquah and less than 8 percent in Bellevue.

"All elementary schools are using the Be Here Bucks in some way that has been decided on by individual school committees," said Nicole Plyler, dean of students for Shadow Lake Elementary. At SLES, for example, students receive a monthly charm for perfect attendance that they can collect all year, as well as Be Here Bucks. Bucks will be drawn for prizes that have been donated by local businesses and restaurants.

At the end of the year, students who miss two or fewer days will also receive a special medal at an assembly, Plyler said.

At Rock Creek Elementary School, fifth-grade teacher Tina McDaniel has the bucks waiting on each desk at the start of the school day. When students arrive, they fill out the form and file it away for safekeeping.

The bucks and other awards given out at elementary schools and on buses are all designed to encourage good choices, similar to the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (P.B.I.S.) programs that are in place throughout the Tahoma system. Many bus drivers are now giving out "Bus Bucks" to students who show great behavior on bus rides.

At Rock Creek, the fifth-grade teachers help their students tie all of these targets together through written goal-setting and the school's focus on the "RC3:" Show respect, Make good decisions and solve problems.

"We reflect on those and talk about it: 'Did you meet your goal?'" McDaniel said. "Being here is about being present and ready to learn."

While the exact system and rewards may vary by school and grade level, students are excited about the idea and getting in on the brainstorming. Ideas for rewards at the fifth-grade level at RCES include spirit gear such as pom-poms, sunglasses or Frisbees in RCES colors, 15 minutes of extra recess time, choice of activity during free time, lunch with the teacher, sitting in the teacher's chair, and so on. Fifth-graders will save up for six weeks and then can spend their bucks on the prize of their choice.

Students fill out the bucks with their own name, teacher and grade, and are responsible for turning it in or saving them up. Just like real money, if they lose a buck, it's gone.

"For us, we really wanted to tie this to the positive reinforcement -- not through guilt, but personal responsibility," McDaniel explained. "Kids can say to their parent, 'It's really hard for me to miss school.' ... They'll think about whether they are really sick and what they are missing."

McDaniel also gives table points if a whole table of students is present, to help her class think about personal accountability.

"This is our community. This is what it looks like when we're all together," she said. "They are concerned about it (being at school)... If you miss school, you miss out. Life is full of consequences. Some are positive and some are a bummer."

Students are also enthusiastic about the new program.

Fifth-grader Slayton C. said: "I think it's a great idea because kids should know attendance is important. It helps with wanting to come to school."

His classmate, Madison D. agreed. "If you're there, it will give you a better chance of graduating," she said. "And, it's nice getting fun prizes!"

Tahoma students in kindergarten through fifth grade and their families are invited to the next "Lifting Literacy" event hosted by the Maple Valley Library and the school district from 10 to noon on Oct. 8.

Titled "Fall into Reading," this event will feature a book swap for students. Anyone who would like to participate may bring up to five gently used books, which they may swap for five new-to-them gently used books. Each child will also receive a free, new book.

Story time will be at 10:30 a.m.; reading specialists will be available to answer parent questions about reading or offer tips for working with students.

Enrollment increases at Tahoma schools

Updated enrollment figures show the Tahoma School District now serves 8,069 students, a 2.5 percent increase from last September.

The new counts for each school building are as follows:

Tahoma App offers news, connections

Smartphone users now have another way to stay in touch with Tahoma School District news and announcements by downloading the Tahoma app.

The Tahoma 409 app, available for free downloading from online app stores, provides easy access to the most current postings on Tahoma's web page and social media sites. It also has links to the Skyward student information system, district events calendar, staff directory, lunch menus, transportation information and other school information.

In addition to the Skyward link through the Tahoma 409 app, there is also a separate Skyward app that provides easy access to student information. Search for Skyward in the app stores and follow the instructions to find the Tahoma page, which will require the user's Skyward login.

Tahoma news and information is available in many places, including:

• Website: www.tahomasd.us
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TSD409
• Twitter: @TahomaSD409
• Instagram: tahoma_schools
• Weather closures or delays: http://flashalert.net/

District to host Emergency Preparedness Fair Saturday

Community members are invited to the annual Emergency Preparedness Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 24, in the gym at Rock Creek Elementary School.

Come find out whether you are prepared for an emergency, as a family, as a neighborhood; officials recommend having food, water, medical supplies and other necessities on hand to last at least 72 hours.

The fair will include emergency response vehicles, utility district vehicles, preparedness demonstrations, informational displays, vendors and more. The Maple Valley Food Bank & Emergency Services will be at the fair accepting donations and non-perishable food items.

This event is sponsored by the cities of Maple Valley, Covington and Black Diamond; the Tahoma School District; King County Sheriff's Office; Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety; Maple Valley CERT and ARES, Soos Creek Water and Sewer; Cedar River Water and Sewer; Covington Water District; Maple Valley Farmer's Market; Maple Valley Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce; and the Greater Maple Valley Community Center.

Tahoma HS softball coach resigns

Tom Milligan, who has coached the Tahoma High School Bears softball team for more than a decade, has resigned to spend more time with his family.

"The 12 years I coached was very rewarding," Milligan said. "As a coach, to build something from the ground up and to consistently compete at a successful level was gratifying. A lot of young ladies came through our program and have moved on to compete at the college level, earn degrees in their area of focus and have entered the workforce and started families of their own."

Milligan's team won the 4A Washington state softball title in 2015. Last season, the team racked up 24 wins and traveled to the state playoffs.

Tahoma Athletic Director Tony Davis is searching for a replacement; interested candidates should contact him at [email protected] or 425-413-6200.

Milligan, who teaches health and physical education for Tahoma, said that he and assistant coach Clark Kostohris are "so proud" of each athlete who they coached in the past 12 years.