Lake Washington School District launches thematic, interdisciplinary block course use projects for "real world" learning

Lake Washington School District Launches High School “Signature Programs”

Thematic, interdisciplinary block courses use projects for “real world” learning

Redmond, Wash. – By 2014-15, all Lake Washington School District High Schools will offer “Signature Programs,” which are thematic, interdisciplinary three-period instructional blocks organized around career clusters and pathways. These courses combine rigorous academics and “real world” application of learning. They will engage students in problem-based learning and completion of industry-based projects. At the same time, students will earn academic credit in specified areas required for graduation.

                For example, Juanita High School’s STEM Signature Program will explore global health through the lens of literature, body systems and disease detection and prevention. Students will earn credit for Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology and English. The course will involve laboratory investigations, problem solving and a variety of public health-related readings.  Read More >>

Partners in Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group join with area residents in juvenile fish release

Earth Week Sammamish kokanee release caps off strong year for ‘little red fish’

 While full-fledged, basin-wide recovery of native Sammamish kokanee salmon might not be here yet, partners of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group have good reason to celebrate the recent and remarkable turnaround in kokanee salmon numbers.

“The tremendous return of adult fish to the spawning grounds indicates that our hatchery and critical habitat improvement work has us on the right path toward salmon recovery,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who took part in an Earth Week release of juvenile kokanee salmon this afternoon.   Read More >>

The Redmond Arts Commission meets with City Council to discuss the future of art and culture in Redmond

The Arts Commission was invited to a study session with the Redmond Mayor and Council last week.  Rob Leavitt, Chair of the commission and staffer Josua Heim ran most of the meeting.  Rob said the purpose of the Arts Commission is a "catalyst for Redmond's diverse and inventive community - and incubator for creativity."

Rob highlighted the diverse population Redmond serves.  He claimed one in three Redmond residents are people of color with 25% of the residents born outside the U.S.  Redmond is a young community with 25% of the residents between 20-34 years of age and 33% between 30-55 years. 

Rob wanted his Arts Commission to be known as the "Arts and Culture Commission" owing to the diverse ethnic populations within Redmond.  Councilmember Hank Myers said the diversity of Redmond gives Redmond "a lot of clay" to work with from which to build art works.  He recommended our arts and culture "be fun for our residents."  Councilmember Kimberly Allen said our niche appears to be in the digital arts and that we should celebrate our diversity with ethnic festivals.  She said outdoor festivals are our strong suit, alluding to Derby Days, summer events, the Bon Fire, Winter Lights, and Ananda Mela at City Hall.  Councilmember Tom Flynn liked the idea of Redmond being "a cultural arts town" saying "it brings good vibes." 

Councilmember John Stilin, a past Redmond arts commission chair said "we need to  put something out there - a little daring - we may have some misses - but the essence of a lot of art is it challenges people to think differently."   Council spent a lot of time giving staff feedback on the "Cultural Corridor 2030 Master Plan" in the downtown.  A large, manufactured "erratic" (glacial boulder) will be installed in the corridor as a centerpiece.  A center for the performing arts is in the 2020 plan for the Overlake area but the city is also working with Eastside cities for a possible regional center.

Councilmember Hank Margeson said "It's hard to be all things to all people.  We don't have to be a Park City, Utah (Sun Dance Film Festival) or an Ashland, Or (Shakespeare Festival).  We want to be Redmond...to find our own niche and piece of the puzzle."  Councilmember Carson said Redmond's  niche is in Digital Arts without even a seedling for a performing arts center.

Mayor Marchione challenged the commission to ask "What's the best Redmond we can be?  Who are we?  What's our soul?"  He said Redmond's roots are in lumber and agriculture.  

In my opinion, perhaps a mural could be painted on one of the old cinder block buildings on Cleveland Street attesting to our pioneer days. The City of Bothell has some good examples of quality murals.  Do you have any ideas for art or culture events in Redmond?  Is it time some new art was installed? 

By Bob Yoder

Councilmember Kathy Lambert supports giving voters more choices in the Parks Levy

Editor's Note:  this article was posted in 2013.

“In an era of reduced revenues and increasing needs, I think the voters should know that their tax choices impact many areas of government,” said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert. ”The bigger issue here is how the proposed Parks Levy impacts our general tax priorities. The recent recession has changed the funding formulas in a new more complicated way and there are many other pressing needs in our County.  I love our parks and that is why I am proposing that we separate the proposed Levy, just as we did six years ago. We then need to give the voters of King County additional and updated information so they have greater clarity and transparency on how we fund our junior taxing districts and how that funding process impacts many junior districts such as fire, hospital and flood districts.” 

The Metropolitan King County Council is considering two options for renewing the six-year Parks Levy, which expires this December.  One option would increase the levy by 42 percent to fund major acquisitions to the King County Parks system. It asks for a property tax lid lift of 18.77 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which translates into a yearly rate of $56.30 for the owner of a $300,000 home in King County. The voters’ only choice under this approach would be not funding parks or accepting a 42 percent tax increase.  Read More >>

NOTICE! Mayor and Council to hold Town Hall meeting May 23rd at Redmond Elementary

  The Mayor and Council will hold a Q&A Town Hall at Redmond Elementary School on May 23rd. 6:00 pm.  It's intended for Education Hill residents but everyone is invited.

These Town Hall meetings are a new, casual, and convenient way for residents to interact with their elected officials.  They won't be taped.  Children are invited.  

They plan to hold Town Halls for other neighborhoods.  For updates and details visit:  http://redmond.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=182835 

Bob Yoder

Daughter Arrested for Unlawful Imprisonment, Theft from Parents

Redmond, WA – For most people who choose a Power of Attorney, they are taken care of respectfully. For two Redmond seniors though, it almost cost them their lives.

The Redmond Police Department initially received a welfare check request for an elderly lady in August of 2011. What detectives eventually uncovered was a daughter who stole over $67,000 from her aging parents suffering from dementia. Additionally, they found that the mother was strapped into her bed up to 12 hours a day, strapped into her wheelchair unless she needed to use the restroom, and neither parent had received proper food or medications despite the fact that their daughter was taking over $3,000/month to care for them. The monthly withdrawal rose for “cost of living increases” even though their home was already paid off.
The suspect, a 65 year old Redmond woman, was arrested Tuesday for Unlawful Imprisonment and Theft-1^st degree. She was listed as the couple’s Power of Attorney. Her 89-year-old mother and 92 year old father are resting peacefully at an adult family care home in Monroe.

For more information about Vulnerable Adult Abuse, visit:

http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/Library/publications/brochurestext.htm#abuse_mandatory

www.agingkingcounty.org

By  Lt. Charles Gorman, RPD

City of Redmond invests in rehabilitation of Haida House (Dudley Carter Studio)

In their Tuesday regular meeting Redmond City Council authorized the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Redmond a grant contract with 4Culture to fund rehabilitation of the Haida House.

Parks and Planning staff had submitted a successful application for $9,000 of Landmark
Rehabilitation Grant funds from 4Culture for rehabilitation of the Haida House (Dudley
Carter Studio). This Landmark Rehabilitation Grant will be provided as reimbursement
at a maximum of $9,000 in support of removing, replacing, and restoring the Haida
House roof shakes and sub-strata (Attachment A). The primary goal of this project is to
restore the Haida House to its original design and character and provide for long-term
preservation by replacing the roof consistent with the structure’s original construction
and with the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Though the City of Redmond is not required to match this grant, the total project amount,
including tax is $38,282, which demonstrates a significant match of funds and staff time
by the City.

The Haida House (Dudley Carter Studio) is a modern post-and-beam building. Clad in
vertical wood siding and decorated with wood carvings, it was built in approximately
1980 as a studio by and for renowned local artist Dudley Carter. It was intended to
reflect the construction of a traditional Native American longhouse. Following Carter’s
death in 1992 the building served for a short period as a rental. It has been vacant since
1998. At its August 25, 2011, meeting, the Redmond Regional Landmarks Commission
unanimously approved a motion to designate Haida House (Replica #4) as a City of
Redmond Regional Landmark. Haida House’s location in Dudley Carter Park sets the
stage for a visual reminder of earlier residents and native traditions to promote the city’s
history and culture.

City of Redmond sponsors Evergreen Classic Benefit Horse Show at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park August 7-11

City Council authorized the acquisition of a $2,500 sponsorship of the Evergreen Classic Benefit Horse Show scheduled to be held at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park August 7-11, 2013, using
Tourism Program marketing funds and contracting with the Washington State Hunter
Jumper Association for marketing and promoting the use of Redmond hotels for
overnight stays during the event.

Show Manager Diane Johnson contacted the City of Redmond Tourism Program
Administrator regarding a potential sponsorship for the Evergreen Classic Benefit Horse
Show that was once held at Marymoor Park until the opportunity costs of hosting
prevented King County from continuing. For six years the event has been held at
Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park in nearby Carnation. The show has continued to
provide hundreds of room nights and has increased revenue for our local restaurants and
retail stores. The event benefits Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, a nationally
recognized Redmond nonprofit organization that offers therapeutic horseback riding for
the disabled. 

This tournament should draw regional, and possibly national,
visitors to our community, and increase the number of overnight stays in our hotels as
Redmond has the nearest hotels, and is likely to increase revenue for our local
restaurants and retail stores. Estimates from the local hoteliers indicate that there
should be over 200 room nights used in Redmond hotels.

The source of funding for this sponsorship is from the one percent Lodging
Tax, of which 50 percent is allocated to Tourism Program marketing and used mainly
to attract visitors to Redmond who will stay overnight in our hotels.

SEPA Exemption Threshold Zoning Code Amendment - Comment period

Scouting For Food

Scouting For Food
BSA, Chief Seattle Council
Sammamish Trails District

Each year, Boy Scouts of America around the United States participate in collecting non-perishable food items to help their local food banks and pantries.  Studies indicate that more than 50.2 million Americans, including 17.2 million children, go hungry at some time every month; these studies also reveal that there are more hungry people in American now than at any time in the last twenty-five years. 
Scouting for Food is an example of BSA’s long-standing commitment to community service by meeting the needs of the hungry, while exposing its members, particularly youth, to the highest ideals of the Scouting movement through a practical and dramatic experience in the principle of the Good Turn. 
Cub Scouts (1^st through 5^th grade) participate in the food drive by distributing flyers and picking up donated items on two weekends in the month of March.  Scouts in Redmond and Kirkland supported local Hopelink locations http://www.hope-link.org/; by collecting and delivering approximately 13,000 pounds (6.5 tons) of food to these locations along with $525 in cash donations. 
On Saturday, March 30^th Boy Scouts (ages 11 through 18 years) sorted Scouting for Food donations received at both the Kirkland and Redmond locations.  This is a 5% increase in donated food items and 145% increase in cash donations from 2012.
This year scouts also collected and delivered an additional 715 pounds of food at Woodinville Storehouse http://www.woodinvillestorehouse.org/ which serves residents of Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell and Woodinville.  
For more information about Scouting, please see the Chief Seattle Council website at www.seattlebsa.org.

Help Wanted: Redmond Police and Fire Chaplains

Redmond, WA – When First Responders arrive at a call, their response can often seem routine before moving on to the next call. However, one of the most important responders to families, friends, and victims are volunteer Department Chaplains, and Redmond is seeking more.

While the title “chaplain” is often equated with faith or religion, Chaplains are more than that. In fact, anything faith-based only occurs if the person requests it, realistically making chaplains “Crisis Intervention Specialists” trained to help stabilize a crisis for those affected.
Redmond volunteer chaplains support people in four ways:   1) Practical support, 2) Emotional support, 3) Relationship support, and 4) Spiritual support (upon request). They serve as advocates by calming down those affected and helping to discover and connect them to available resources.
Although Chaplains may be one of the first responders called to a scene and the last one to leave, they spend much of their time with Police and Fire Departments personnel building relationships and supporting them through personal and professional challenges.
The Redmond Chaplain program has existed since 1985 with the Fire Department, and the Police began using the same volunteer chaplains in 1998. Redmond Police and Fire are seeking qualified clergy to be involved. Training and necessary equipment is provided for interested applicants. The application process includes attending a chaplain academy, background check, interview process, and appointment by the Chiefs.
A successful chaplain should be prepared to:

1.    Network – knowing resources throughout the area to refer people.

2.    Train – ongoing training to keep skills sharp.

3.    Build rapport with first responders.

4.    Be available; know that you may be called at any time on any day.

For information regarding the volunteer application process and requirements, visit www.redmond.gov/police. If you have questions for a current Chaplain, contact Volunteer Coordinator Nicole Rogers, 425-556-2632.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation announces May 1 "Legacy for Learning" fundraising luncheon

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) announced that its eighth annual “Legacy for Learning” luncheon fund-raiser will be held on May 1 at Juanita High School, 10601 N.E. 132nd St., Kirkland. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the lunch and program will run from noon to 1 p.m.
The luncheon will feature Alaska Air Group President and CEO Brad Tilden as the keynote speaker, building on the event theme “With a great education, the sky’s not the limit, it’s just the beginning.”
According to Tilden, “A good education is crucial for everyone, and to be successful the next generation needs help from everyone involved: parents, teachers and the business community. In order to stay competitive in the 21st century marketplace, our young people also need better opportunities to learn science, technology, engineering and math, such as those offered by the Lake Washington School District." Read More >>

City update on Redmond Bike Park

Hello Redmond Bike Park followers, 

It has been two years since the Parks and Recreation Department submitted permits and final design documentation to the Planning Department for approval to begin construction of the Redmond Bike Park.  In May 2011, the project was appealed by a group of concerned neighbors.  The appeal was heard by the Hearing Examiner in the fall of 2011 and a decision was made in favor of the City. The appellants appealed that decision to City Council, who in the winter of 2012 favored with the City. Then the project was appealed again by the appellants to King County Superior Court.  Before the case was heard, the two parties began settlement discussions and in the spring of 2013, a settlement agreement was finalized and will be presented to City Council on April 16, 2013 with a request for Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the settlement agreement, which the appellants have already signed. 

The parties agreed to some changes in the design of the proposed Redmond Bike Park, as described below and shown in draft form in the attached Site Plan.

•             Moved bike features and site furnishings away from southeast corner and eastern side of site,

•             Removed elevated wooden features and double black diamond trail,

•             Expanded the staging area at the starting mound, and

•             Enhances vegetation along south and western sides of the site.   Read More >>

Upcoming parent presentations: "Youth Cyber Safety and Risks of Social Media - What Every Family Needs to Know"

Youth Cyber Safety and the Risks of Social Media – What Every Family Needs to Know

Upcoming parent presentations scheduled at four elementary schools

 

Redmond, Wash. – With more affordable smart phones and the growth of social media like Facebook and Twitter, everyone is connected. Yes, it is exciting, but how do you protect your children when they participate? Not just from predators but from bad decisions that can impact their lives for years to come? How do you even talk to them about it, let alone understand it?  Read More >>

Redmond Safety Alerts by Jim Bove, RPD: Residential burglaries are up.

Residential burglaries are up:

From January 1 – March 27 there have been 42 residential burglaries in Redmond. The previous 3-year year-to-date average is 21. The majority of the current burglaries have occurred in the Education Hill (20) and Grasslawn (14) districts. Just over half of these occurred during the daytime, 6 occurred overnight, with the rest unable to be determined (for instance if someone was on vacation). The usual items were targeted including computers/laptops, jewelry, small electronics (iPods, video games, cell phones, cameras), credit/debit/gift cards, televisions, guns, etc. They are normally knocking on doors before breaking in and some have a “lookout” who is outside on a cell phone.

 

The most common method of entry was:

• Unlocked (no signs of forced entry) windows and doors – 14

• Window and sliding glass door smashes – 9

• Door forced/kicked open – 5

• Window pried open – 4

• Open garage door – 3

 

Especially with school breaks, vacations, and warm weather (hopefully) on its way, we cannot reiterate enough to lock your windows and doors, especially when you aren’t home—2^nd and 3^rd floors, too (especially if you have a ladder outside). Three great ways to combat this besides some common sense:  Read More >>

New Entrance and Trail Connection into Cougar Mountain now open

 Posted on April 5, 2013 by Frana

 

New trail connection off of Newport Way NW

As if Cougar Mountain Park didn’t have enough superlatives attached to it (our largest park, most popular local hiking spot, best for trail running, shall we continue?), here’s one more: New trail! New access point! In Issaquah! Off Newport Way NW!
Did you catch you that? Yep, now there’s one more new way to get into the park to experience the awesomeness of its 35 miles of trails. Thanks to funding from the voter-approved 2008-2013 Open Space & Trails Levy, and grants from the state’s Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and the local Conservation Futures Tax, King County Parks acquired 41 acres in the northeast corner of park in December 2010.

And if that wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, here’s one more: With the help of volunteers from Washington Trails Association, we’re about to complete nearly a mile of new trail, part of the Big Tree Ridge trail, effectively connecting the park to Newport Way NW in Issaquah (Granted, it’s a  steep trail from the street up to the bluff, not for feint of heart, but still!). Although there’s still some work to be done on the trail, it is already open to the public.

In the future, the lower area (pictured above) is slated to become a full trailhead, with formal parking, restrooms, and signage. In the interim, you can park on the shoulder of Newport Way NW or better yet, TAKE THE BUS! The #210 passes right by this entrance or you can go to the Issaquah Park and Ride and stroll on over to this new entry point.

The development of this area as a trailhead depends on future funding and is currently included in the Executive’s 2014-2019 Parks Levy Proposal

Education Hill and North Redmond neighborhood meeting is hosted by the City at Horace Mann on April 17th.

Yoo-hoo…Education Hill, North Redmond & Sammamish Valley neighborhoods!

Redmond Neighborhood Network –A Community Conversation (hosted by the City)
6-7:30pm Wednesday, April 17th
Horace Mann Elementary, 17001 NE 104th Street

... Spring has sprung! It’s time to get out and meet the neighbors! Come build partnerships with your neighbors and voice your ideas to help shape the future of your neighborhood. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn how to prepare for disasters and assess your neighborhood’s preparedness over the long term -something we call being Redmond Ready.

So mark those calendars and join the conversation! Check out the event details at www.redmond.gov/residents/neighborhoods

Opinion: Rewarding excellence in the schools

Rewarding excellence in the schools: SB 5901

By Liv Finne
April 4, 2013 

Breaking news: Reform-minded Senator Litzow (R-Mercer Island) and Senator Tom (D-Bellevue) just introduced a bill to reward excellence in the schools. It is SB 5901, available here. I am reading through it now. Here is what the bill does that jumps out at me:

• Gives A—F letter grades to schools. This is Governor Inslee’s idea, to help parents find out how their schools perform. See Section 302.
• Allows school districts to provide extra pay to teachers based upon the number of schools in that district that receive an A, B or C. See Section 107(4)(b).
• Offers strategic innovative grants to school districts for implementing effective educator and school leadership compensation systems.
• Recognizes highly productive schools, rewards innovation and supports schools that are struggling.

Identifying and rewarding excellence in the public schools would be an important step forward. Washington state has many highly skilled, hard-working and excellent teachers and principals. Unfortunately, the best are compensated just like every other teacher and principal. Teachers are not rewarded for their ability to motivate and inspire young learners, but instead for their seniority and for the paper credentials they have. Teachers must take expensive school of education classes to enhance their salaries, though these courses may do little to enhance teachers’ ability to teach and engage children.

 

Rewarding excellence — this bill advances good, commonsense ideas for improving the schools. Bravo, Senators Litzow and Tom.

 

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/rewarding-excellence-schools-sb-5901

Married couple linked to 23 area crimes including 11 in Redmond

As reported by Jim Bove, RPD, there were two very active criminals that were a husband and wife team recently sentenced for a variety of crimes--Arne and Crystal Rosander.   

The original investigation started on January 9^th, 2012 when a Redmond officer took a car prowl report . The victim reported multiple items stolen, including her wallet which contained several credit and debit cards.  After fraudulent transactions were made with them an investigation led us to the suspect names. We learned that Bellevue and Bothell Police Departments had active cases on them too. Our investigators took the lead on the case and on February 2^nd, 2012 served a search warrant on their residence where they located a large amount of stolen property, including stolen mail, sports equipment, electronics, purses, clothing, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a stolen motorcycle, tools, and a shotgun. They were linked to 23 total crimes including 11 in Redmond and others in Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kirkland, King County, Lynnwood, Mercer Island, Renton, and Seattle. Crimes ranged from mail theft, car prowls, motorcycle theft, fraud, and storage burglary. They both pled guilty to several counts of Mail Theft and Identity Theft 2^nd Degree.  Arne Rosander was sentenced to 17 months in prison followed by 3 years of DOC Supervision. Crystal Rosander was sentenced to 8 months in prison followed by 3 years of DOC Supervision. Both suspects were also ordered to pay several thousand dollars in restitution to the victims.   

This goes to show the importance of reporting crimes, no matter how small they may be and keeping a good record of your valuables, credit cards, electronics, and jewelry. BTW, I don’t usually share names on the front end of a case, but since this is all public record at this point I figure there is no reason not to.
By Jim Bove, RPD
 

 

City of Redmond is accepting proposals to amend the Comprehensive Plan

 

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond invites any individual, business or organization to submit applications for amendments to Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan and associated Zoning Code provisions. The application deadline is 5pm Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

 

The Comprehensive Plan establishes Redmond’s future vision and policy direction, and guides decisions such as how property may be developed and where to direct investments in infrastructure. Zoning code regulations are based on Comprehensive Plan policy, and some zoning designations cannot be changed without first amending the Comprehensive Plan.   Read More >>

Sustainable Redmond asks Council to review the City of Redmond's tree protection policy

Sustainable Redmond, led by Board Member Tom Hinman gave a 20 minute "Items From The Audience" presentation to the City Council last night about the rapid loss of tree canopy in Redmond and its ramifications to our environment.  He specifically asked council to remand a staff report back to the Planning Commission for reconsideration of Sustainable Redmond's tree protection amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.  Council will hold a study session on the topic next week. 

Three environmental policy interns and citizen Susan Wilkins contributed to Mr. Hinman's presentation.  They spent hours of research time reviewing 15 development projects in North Redmond, Education Hill, Grasslawn, Group Health and other neighborhoods looking for data that documents harm to the environment from excessive tree removal practices.  Tree preservation findings from 2010-2013 showed 3,510 significant trees and 382 landmark trees were removed from these projects. Only Bear Creek neighborhood kept 100% of their landmark trees.  One intern calculated 6 million gallons/year of stormwater is untreated, 550 tons of carbon/year is unsequestered, and $179,000 value is lost per year by removal of these trees.  Loss of tree canopy is now considered a significant indicator of environmental health.  Read More >>