New Street Stormwater Drain Markers Warn Against Dumping.

NEW CURB MARKER? DO WE WANT THESE ON OUR CURBS?

Opinion: Have you seen these environmental "curb markers" next to your street storm drains? I found them on three street drains on NE 100th Street. The City may be doing a test market or complete citywide campaign to improve warning signage. I don't know which, but I like what they are doing so far. Would you like these?

When I first moved here, I had no idea that street drains dumped their stuff into Bear Creek and the Sammamish River! I thought it all went into the sewer. Some of the more common bad stuff is: non degradable car wash soaps, lawn fertilizer, insecticides, weed killers, and even gas and engine oils and paint. The curb markers are a good reminders to keep these nasty chemicals away from street drains.

I think the best "no dumping" public announcement the City has done (besides these markers) is the hilarious advertisement they show on RCTV - Channel 21. They show a guy washing his car with soapy water and then superimpose the image over a rushing stream. The idea being: washing your car in your driveway is synonymous to washing it in stream. The City then recommended going to a car wash instead of washing at home, because it's less polluting and uses less water. I almost felt guilty, but then made sure I was washing with non-phosphate soaps all the time. I'm sure the 8 car wash businesses in Redmond like the TV promotion.

The Curb Markers are made by a company in the USA. (800-549-6024). The company posts success stories on how their markers are installed by students for educational and scientific gain. I wonder if a Redmond teacher or PTSA Board would pick up on this?

The Curb Markers come with a FROG or FISH design. Do you have any preference? It took me a while but I decided I like the frog 'cause they used to live in street drains when I was a kid.

Curb Marker website: http://www.dasmanufacturing.com/stories.html

Redmond Car Washes: http://local.yahoo.com/WA/Redmond/Automotive/Car+Washes

Lake Washington High School receives $6,495,672 in new funding for modernization.

Updated: Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District will receive over $6 million from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) towards the Lake Washington High School (LWHS) modernization project, now underway. Lake Washington School District is one of 22 to receive funds. The goal of the OSPI program is to modernize school buildings every 30 to 40 years.

The Lake Washington High School project will receive $6,495,672. These funds will be added to funds from the 2006 voter-approved bonds for the modernization and school construction already underway.

Construction on the new Lake Washington High School began in spring 2009: the new building is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Students continue to attend school in the old building, which will be torn down once the new building is completed.

Five districts in King County will receive funds for different projects, including Seattle, Federal Way, Bellevue, Northshore and Lake Washington. Districts receive approval for this funding based upon a number of factors. The district must have passed a local bond and it must have applied to OPSI for the project. Funds received from the state come from state funding assistance grants.

LWSD Press Release excerpts, 7/21, Contact: Shannon Parthamer, 425-702-3300.

District Website: Lake Washington High School District Page
School Website: Lake Washington High School Home Page

###

Approximately one third of Lake Washington High School students live in Redmond, WA. B.Y.

Staff presents the Commission's P.A.R.C.C. Plan to Council

After months of extensive public input, the Parks, Trails, and Rec. Department presented a rough draft of their new comprehensive 6-year plan to City Council.

Probably, one of the most significant changes proposed are new standards for "levels of service" (LOS). In past years, levels of service focused on obtaining state agency funding for new parks and redevelopment. Planning will be designed more for function and need than grant funding applications.

This go-around, Carolyn Hope and Craig Larsen of Parks & Recreation proposed adding new functional "levels of service'" called-- Walkability, Density, Capacity, Demand and Use. Including the functional parameters will help the City prioritize and allocate City Park & Rec (and Art) resources. Impacts on the City from the "outside uses" of Marymoor Park, school fields, 60-Acres, Willows Golf, businesses, Sammamish river cycling and others can be more easily reckoned.

The foundation of the Plan is extensive public input from: three public meeting workshops, online & phone surveys, citizen advisory committees, and other opportunities. A few of the more enlightening findings from the study are, as follows:

1. The number one activity in parks was reported as: walking. #2 activity was unorganized sports or play, #3 relaxing (birding, meditating, reading). Organized sports were listed at the bottom third for Park activity Could this "surprise" be attributed to use at school fields, 60 Acres, and Marymoor Park, Willows Run?
2. The number one "future park use" requested was Mountain bike parks and trails.
3. The trail type most requested was soft surface trails, preferably single track. 73% of all respondents from all ages wished for soft surface! 27% wanted paved.
4. A Leisure Aquatic Center was the most requested Rec. facility. (Lap pool, shallow rehab/fitness pool, splash pool for kids).
5. A performance center for theatre (vs. concerts) was in demand.
6. As for Rec. programs, Aquatics and Nature were at the top of the list.
7. 52% of citizens drive to city parks!
8. 60% want more trails; 63% use a City park at least once/week.
9. Only 15% or 25% (depending on survey interpretation) said NO to funding by a park bond levy. Fees for use were popular.

Park & Trails commissioners deliberated thoroughly on what to call the Park plan. PRO Plan or PARCC Plan? Which acronym sounds good to you? Please comment below? I'll note their meaning under "comments".
CONTACT: ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov or Park's Chair hmyers@redmond.gov

Soulfood Book Store - "the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musical and literary artists".

Commissioner Clint McCune and some elementary kids sang "I am Alive" in Council Chambers at the beginning of a Council meeting last Tuesday. I think this is a first! and a feather in the cap for the City! Scroll down to the next story for details. I'm reposting a video clip of the kids singing with Clint and will post websites of Redmond musicians and poets as I learn of them.

Hey Bob -

I just wanted to thank you for all the work you do for our neighborhood. Also, about the kids, they all go to different schools and some of them aren't even in a music class. However, they all gather at Soulfood and play together. [see clip of kids singing with Clint below]

The song we performed was an original of mine called "I am Alive". We only rehearsed all together once the evening of the performance, but they all knew the song from listening to my bands album TWIRL "hope hum stomp strum" and hearing us live on the first Friday of every month. I would also like to invite you to this month's TWIRL show on July 3rd at 8-10pm. Also, we are streaming live all of our big shows and events through soulfood books.com so check it out and help us spread the word.

--Clint McCune, owner of Soulfood Books, Music, and Organic Coffee
"...the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musicians and literary artists"

Soulfood - Redmond's comprehensive website

"I am Alive" (clip)
..as performed in City Council chambers during this week's council meeting.

Tom Flynn's Poetry: http://mythman.typepad.com/poetry/

Eva Moon's music

Abbott A. Smith's art and poetry

Elementary students sing to 200 during a recent Council Meeting

"I want a sense of community and connection with others." *Community Building is one of six budget priorities of the Marchione Administration and participating public.

Teacher Nancy McKay, The Orchestra and Choir Teacher from Rockwell Elementary School was one of three 2009 Arts Commission Local Artist Awardees. Her students, lead by commissioner & guitarist Clint MCune sang in this recent City Council meeting to honor her. Nancy started teaching orchestra 15 years ago with 14 students. She now has 110 students and her former students recently performed in Carnegie Hall. The other awardees were Digipen Digital Technological Institute and Redwood Theatre.

According to the Mayor, *COMMUNITY BUILDING "budgeting by priority" achievement is measured by tracking attendance during the first 20 minutes of Council Meetings.

2009 Arts Commission Local Artist Awardees: http://www.redmond.gov/arts/localartists.asp
Norman Rockwell School WEBSITE: http://www.lwsd.org/school/rockwell/Pages/default.aspx
Clint McCune's Soulfood Books, Music & Organic Coffee House WEBSITE: http://soulfoodbooks.com/OldRoot/

CONTACT: Mary Yyelanjian, Arts Senior Planner, MYELANJIAN@redmond.gov

The performance was 20 minutes. This particular Council meeting lasted until 11:30pm owing to a complicated closed-record quasi judicial meeting. Jill Richardson (pictured lower left) is the applicant of a Rezone ammendent that has been reviewed for over 2-years so far, with hardly an end in sight. Most Marchione council meetings are shorter than the Ives Administration. Meetings start at 7:30 and most end between 8:45- 10:15 pm.

LWSD Communications wins three Media Awards.

The Lake Washington School District’s Communications Department won three awards from the Washington School Public Relations Association in its 2009 Publications and Electronic Media Awards.

Certificates of Excellence are given to all entries that score an 80 or above out of 100 from judges. Certificates of Excellence were awarded for:

• LWSD 2008-09 Calendar, Category: Calendar. Responsible for the publication: Kathryn Reith, Shannon Parthemer, Shelley Rios; Richard McNamee Photography; Stephanie Schriger, Design & Graphics

• LWSD Annual Report, Category: Annual report. Responsible for the publication: Kathryn Reith, Shannon Parthemer, Chelsea Lee

• A Message from Chip, Category: Video. Responsible for the video: Dr. Chip Kimball, Kathryn Reith, Shannon Parthemer, Sean Valley

Note: The 2008-09 calendar was the last of its kind for the district: the budget for the printed calendar was cut in this year’s budget process. A printable version of the calendar also will be available on the Web site but staff members and parents will not receive a printed calendar in August.

About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the sixth largest district in the state of Washington, with over 23,000 students in 49 schools.

Comment: I'd like to personally thank Kathryn Reith and Shannon Parthemer for sending the Redmond Neighborhood Blog their invaluable press releases. The LWSD is such a big part of what makes Redmond, Redmond and being informed about our schools counts Big Time. Thank you, Kathryn and Shannon for everything you do for us and CONGRATULATIONS on your three awards! I'll miss you this summer! B.Y.

LWSD announces National Merit and PTSA Council Scholarships & more.

College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship Winners Named

Four Lake Washington School District students have been announced as winners of college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
The following students received Merit scholarships from these universities:

• Patrick Gilbery, Juanita High School –Arizona State University ·
• Ashoat Tevosyan, Redmond High School –University of Washington·
• Elizabeth Nelson, Redmond High School –University of Washington·
• Ashton Hemphill, Eastlake High School –University of Washington
  

Lake Washington PTSA Council Announces 2009 Scholarship Awards

These student recipients will each receive a $1,000 college scholarship:

Emily Chen, International Community School
Allen Liu, Eastlake High School
Vera Hoang, Lake Washington High School
Callum Dickson, BEST High School
Lars Myren, Juanita High School
Dylan Portelance, Redmond High School
Ngoc-Khuyen Tran, Redmond High School - Adria Klein Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Tayler, Juanita High School – Dr. L.E. Scarr Scholarship
Ryan Rae, Juanita High School – Dr. Don Saul Scholarship
Claire Wilson, Lake Washington High School – Bob Hughes Scholarship: At Large Christian Casolary, Eastlake High School – Jay Ellis Scholarship: Music Education
Jacqueline Vautin, Redmond High School – LWEA/Karen Bates Scholarship
Kristin Dorr, Eastlake High School – Seattle Foundation Scholarship Andrew Marzano, Eastlake High School – Seattle Foundation Scholarship

Arts Night at Rosa Parks Elementary School

Rosa Parks Elementary School will hold an Arts Night on Thursday, June 11 from 6 – 9 p.m. Some of the events that will take place at the Arts Night include:
· shadow puppets· brain dances· art displays· Indian classical music· Bollywood music· hip-hop, jazz, ballet· video-graphic design· drum circle· ukulele band performance· student-directed drama performances (directed by students)· critter displays· digital art· sculptures· fashion design· guest speakers

Redmond High School Students Win RedSpoke Bike Poster Contest

Michelle Shepard, a junior at Redmond High School (RHS), was selected as the winner of the Redmond Rotary RedSpoke Bike Poster Contest. Three other RHS students were selected as the runners-up: Jennifer Maes (sophomore), Katie Rohrbach (junior), and Becca Wyant (senior). All four students will be honored next Thursday, June 11, at the Rotary luncheon.

For more information contact: Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, LWSD (425) 702-3342 Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Promoting Cross-Cultural Connections in Redmond

"This summer will mark the 4th consecutive year that summer high school exchange students have come to Redmond to experience American culture and family life. Last year we had over 70 students come from France, Spain, and China and study here for 4 weeks while living with local Redmond host families. We have 80 students coming this summer and we still need 20 volunteer Redmond host families!!!" Thank you for anything you can do. Many thanks, --Jessica Falkner-Horine 425.830.9978

Open your home to an Educational Homestay international student for 3 or 4 weeks this summer! Twenty Redmond host family spots are still available! It's an educational and cultural opportunity of a lifetime for your family.

The first Educational Homestay Program (EHP), a non-profit based in Cambridge, MA, is bringing students from France and Spain to the Redmond area this summer to study English and experience the American way of life. We are currently looking for homes on the Eastside for these students, and we’d love for you to get involved!

Here's how it works:

• Junior High students will be visiting from July 9th- August 5th & July 22nd- Aug 10th .


• The students will be under the supervision of Program staff from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (M-F), attending language classes in the morning and participating in a variety of organized educational activities and field trips.


• Host Families are asked to provide a bed, meals and transportation to and from the drop-off point from which students will be transported to their classes at Redmond Jr. High.


• Contact: Jessica at 425-830-9978 for additional information and to register.

Thank you for sending this story to the Redmond Blog, Jennifer! BY

SPOTLIGHT ON COACH "B" - Founding Coach of Eastside Catholic Boys Lacrosse - 2009 State Finalist

Coach B is the 3rd coach from the left - with his Eastside Catholic team

Bill Brosseau - "the heart and soul of NW Lacrosse."

• Leader
• Mentor
• Lacrosse Entrepreneur

UPDATED, 6/7 - I have played and coached with Bill Brosseau and can tell you Coach "B" is an awesome individual. In the early 1980's, Bill helped the sport with Everett Smith in coaching "Lake Washington Lacrosse Team". Bill's an original. He's a pioneer of lacrosse in the Northwest - both for boys and girls.

In 1983, Bill took over as Varsity Head Coach of the first Eastside Boys Lacrosse Club. He guided his Club to State Championship appearances in '84 and '85 and placed 10 players on the All League Team. The Eastside Lacrosse Club became the spawning ground for players, coaches, and referees. The fast growth of "Eastside" helped many teams to get started -- Redmond Mustangs, Issaquah, Sammamish, Evergreen, Overlake, North Shore, and Bellevue. Bill's heart and soul was given to many of these young players from day 1. Could Coach B be considered one of the Founding Father's of NW lacrosse? That's up to you, but please keep reading.

Bill Brosseau is a born leader, youth mentor and lacrosse entrepreneur. He honors the game, probably as much or more than any coach I've known. Bill is a humble, giving individual, coaching from his heart, with civility, and respect, never shouting derisively at his players for "the easy fix". I know of no other coach who honors his players with the depth of belief and faith he shares. Bill inspires. He is a tall, imposing figure with an Army background. He once sold Nautilus weight building equipment. You get the picture! His players listen! (Photo of David Carlton shooting)

Coach "B" has achieved amazing success with his current Eastside Catholic (EC) High Schoolteam of Sammamish, WA. In just three short years, Bill built the program from a JV team to a Division II State finalist! EC was undefeated in their Cascade Conference (12-0). Bill built his team from the ground up. In three short years he developed three All-Cascade Conference players: Robert Pfluger, Nick Pizzitola, and Kyle Decker. Michael Creswell (#17) is pictured in the photo with Coach B. during the semi-final game vs. Redmond.

I played Defense with Bill (and Everett Smith) for the Redmond Lacrosse Club in the mid-eighties and briefly helped Bill with his EC JV team. Every time our paths crossed, Coach Bill would ask me to coach! First it was the Eastside Middle School Boys team. Then it was the Eastside Catholic Girls Varsity team. Yes. Bill was an early innovator of Girls lacrosse. Finally, it was Eastside Catholic boys JV. Bill's persistent invitations were his way of honoring the strong camaraderie, respect, and brotherhood of lacrosse, the values he so cherishes. Bill Brosseau is a class act. He's a gentleman in every sense of the word.

Bill is from the East, as are most "originals". As a child he was the "Ball Boy" for the Army Lacrosse Team. Bill played on the West Point grounds in his youth and high school from 1965-1971. . Upon graduating from Salem College, VA. in 1975 with a B.S. in Physical Education he taught and coached at the New York Military Academy in upstate New York. He became the Defense Coordinator of the Cadet Lacrosse Team and helped steer them to two Hudson Valley League Championships two years in a row.

Bill's lacrosse coach mentors were: Hall of Fame Coach Ace Adams, Hall of Fame Player and Coach Bill Rich, and Hall of Fame Coach Everett Smith. Bill Brosseau and what he has done for the NW game while mentoring many hundreds of players is deserving of our recognition. Bill  is right up there with the best. I hope the Washington Chapter of the US Lacrosse Association and the Washington Lacrosse Association will someday honor Bill as he has honored Washington lacrosse during his 30-year love fest with the game.

Bill  couldn't have done it without the support of his wife, Dianne. With two children and four grandchildren, Bill has been busy off the field. All his grand kids have had sticks since birth and they're all lefty's. Watch out Syracuse!

Click photos to enlarge. A photo album of pics & clips from the 2009 WHSBLA State Championship. Girls lacrosse is growing fast. And, Bill coached the girls, too. Learn more about the Girls Lacrosse game here.


BILL'S EMAIL The sources for this post are: the 2009 EC Lacrosse Program, the 2009 WLBSC Program, and my personal experiences with B and the game. Any comments or opinions are welcome! (click on the "comments" button below).

Eastside Catholic High School Sports Web Page
Factoid:
For the last decade, lacrosse has been one of the fastest-growing team sports in the
country. US Lacrosse chapters have been established in 39 states and more than 500,000
played on organized teams in 2008 compared to just over 250,000 in 2001.
Youth lacrosse participation has more than doubled in just seven years. US Lacrosse, '09

LWSD cuts $7.7 from budget and raises fees to keep class sizes the same and avoid layoffs.

When putting together the proposed budget for 2009-10, Lake Washington School District Superintendent Chip Kimball heard the message of parents and staff loud and clear: don’t increase class sizes. Through a series of administrative cuts, program cuts and increased fees, the district will keep class sizes the same and will not lay off teachers, despite cutting $7.7 million from its budget.

Community feedback also advocated protecting safety net programs for struggling learners, early learning and investments in quality staff. The new budget reflects those values through keeping like Ready Start preschool and safety net programs.

The largest cuts came in central administration and professional development, over $2 million dollars.

• Just over ten positions will be eliminated, including four administrators, two professional/technical staff members and just over four professional development staff positions.


• All central office departments will face five percent cuts in their operating budgets.


• The district will no longer produce a printed school calendar, which traditionally is mailed to all parents at the beginning of the school year.

The next largest area of cuts comes in building support, totaling $1.8 million.

• Five percent of the building operating budgets will be cut.


• The building budgets for professional development will be cut by 75 percent.


• Much of the cut in this area involves reducing staff stipends to provide support for high school graduation, teacher leaders, teachers on special assignment and teachers who lead advisory programs in the secondary schools.

The district will increase fees and cut some programs, for about $1.1 million in savings or increased revenue:

• About $700,000 will be gained through an increase in the fee for All-Day Kindergarten and other safety-net programs.


• A new fee for transportation for the one day per week gifted enrichment program will raise $45,000.


• Operation of the pool at Juanita High School will be contracted out, saving $150,000. If no contractor can be found, the pool will be closed.


• A significant change will be in funding for activities and athletics, resulting in about $800,000 in cost savings and increased revenue.


• The largest change will be a substantial change in athletics fees, rising from $35 to $105 in junior highs and from $75 to $275 in high schools.

Support services will cut about $600,000 through increased efficiencies in using a different custodial services model, increased energy savings and transportation route efficiencies. LWSD is working smarter to increase efficiences! Kudos.

The district’s Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the budget at its June 22 meeting. The budget must be approved by the Board in August.

This is an abbreviated and edited LWSD Press Release, 5/5/09. Contact: Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, LWSD, (425) 702-3342 for the entire release.

Redmond-Cascade Conservancy forestry stewardship project is launched

This neighborhood volunteer work party for GreenRedmond removed Himalayan Blackberry weeds nearby Hartman Park on Saturday. In the Fall volunteers will plant native shrubs to beautify and protect the forest.

UPDATED, 5/1 - A garbage-ridden corner forest by the school pedestrian corridor, Church of LDS (Mormon) and the Dirt Bike Course (adjacent Hartman Park) had been severely overtaken by dense Himalayan Blackberry weeds. Citizens, the City, and Cascade Conservancy wanted to do something about it. This Saturday, twenty-five enthusiastic, committed citizen volunteers walked into this neighborhood forest with their tools. Norah Kates of the Cascade Conservancy answered our questions. Four hours later, with the use of City tools and the Cascade Conservancy knowledge, the forest floor had been "cleaned up" and we walked away satisfied and very happy with our work. This Fall, when the rains come, we will plant native, green shrubs and sapling trees!

The group of volunteers you see in this photo (click to enlarge) is a diverse mix of citizens who care about our local environment. Many of the volunteers were "Key Club" members recruited by my daughter, Lexie. Lexie is a Youth Advocate for the Water Tenders. Key Club is a Redmond High School Club devoted to charitable work. Students and parents from Horace Mann El, a local Scout pack, Water Tenders helped out.

Neighbor Lisa from the Parks farm volunteered as did two officers from the Water Tenders. Several passersby signed up for the next project. It was hard work but rewarding. We removed 40 gallons of recyclable drinking containers. (A month ago 120 gallons were removed). Invasive plants were removed from approximately 8000 square feet of forest floor . We protected and left untouched a low-lying bird's nest with two chicks.

The forest floor looks barren and brown for now. City Parks said they would remove and recycle the concrete gate blocks and may chip the wood trash. After planting native shrubs this Fall the forest floor will look beautiful! The neighborhood will just have to be patient for the new plants as we await the Fall rains. Restoration information may be posted. Comments?

Horace Mann's "Service Saturdays" is a smashing success.

Hi Bob! Your blog post on the Pennies for Piece kids encouraged me to let you know about Mrs. Jarrett’s 6th Grade Class at Horace Mann Elementary.

My son is a student in the class and I can’t say enough about how enthusiastic and supportive this group of kids have been with their "Service Saturday" projects.

So far this school year, the kids have participated in the following:

• Trail work on the Sammamish Trail·
• Worked at a homeless shelter to serve a meal·
• Donated monies to Page Ahead·
• Held a pet food drive for the Seattle Humane Society·
• Held a tea and read poetry for the Fairwinds Retirement Luxury Resort.
• Projects planned for the rest of the school year are making blankets for Project Linus and serving a meal at Tent City 4 on May 11th.

I’m working on getting some photos of our past projects...do you think there is space on your blog for a little shout-out about this great bunch of kids? ~ Marlene Katz

Send me your photos if you want Marlene! What a tremendous success story! I was a lunch buddy at Mann and my daughter went to school there. Your school is great!

"Pennies for Peace" at Redmond Elementary School

The Redmond Elementary School Leadership Group has collected $1137.34 for impoverished schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The idea came after school counselor, Leslie Fields read Listen to the Wind to the Leadership Group. This is the children’s version of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. When you have a group of sixth graders that put their heads together for a project, never underestimate them.

The School Leadership Group members at Redmond Elementary are: Kyra Bliss, Julia Rettig, Grace Mahan, Braydon Walker, Mahre Connor, Nikki Dees, Savanna Hewitt, Sharada Tangirala, Danuta Egle, Ben Hansford and Dorian Graylee. Photo: Grace Mahan, Mahre Connor and Duanta Engle.

For more information contact: LWSD Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342. Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

LWSD Budget Meetings Drew Hundreds

The last opportunity to share your views on the Budget will be at Juanita High School, Wednesday April 22, 7pm. 10601 N.E. 132nd St., Kirkland, 425 823-7600

Hundreds of parents, community members, staff and students have attended the first two public input meetings on the Lake Washington School District 2009-10 budget. About 120 people packed the first meeting at Lake Washington High School on Tuesday, April 14, for a presentation by Superintendent Chip Kimball followed by an exercise in which each attendee provided input on their choices for items to save from proposed state cuts and what alternative cuts they would choose.

The second input meeting, at Redmond High School, drew about 220 people, completely filling that cafeteria as well. “I’m heartened by the number of people willing to spend their evening helping us determine what priorities we should have as a school system,” noted Dr. Kimball. “A budget really reflects what is important to an organization: we will be able to do a better job of reflecting what is important to our community because of this input.”

One more budget input session is scheduled at Juanita High School in Kirkland at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Input from LWSD parents unable to attend the previous meetings is encouraged.

For more information contact: LWSD Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342. Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Explorer Community School students win $1500 grant award

Explorer Community School in Redmond wins a greenhouse, grants and prizes

Five elementary schools in the greater Puget Sound, including Explorer Community School, have been awarded greenhouses, $1,500 in funding and other benefits from an alliance supporting education, nutrition and Washington agriculture.

A partnership of the International Greenhouse Company (IGC), the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) and Seattle television station KING 5 was joined this year by PCC Natural Markets to conduct the Kids Are Growing Contest.

Students at Explorer Community School were informed of their winning efforts at a school assembly on Tuesday, April 14.

“The competition is part of our efforts to educate the public on potatoes—their nutrition, value to the state and what it takes to grow them,” said Karen Bonaudi, Potato Commission Assistant Executive Director.

“PCC is so proud to participate in a contest that strives to improve childhood nutrition and education in our schools, a cause that is right in line with the mission of our Kid Picks program,” said Tom Monahan, Marketing Manager with PCC Natural Markets.

Each school receives a greenhouse from the IGC, a $1,000 grant along with educational materials from the WSPC and a $500 gift from PCC Natural Markets.

PCC Press Release: About PCC Natural Markets: Headquartered in Seattle, WA, PCC Natural Markets is a certified organic retailer, with annual sales of $133 million and an active membership of nearly 45,000. PCC operates nine locations in the Fremont, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Seward Park, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond and Edmonds neighborhoods. www.pccnaturalmarkets.com

Urgent: Do you want to keep class sizes low? Speak up!

Lake Washington School District Needs Your Input!

UPDATE: Now that the state Senate and House draft budgets have been released, Lake Washington School District knows more about the possible effects of state cuts on its budget.

If the district simply cuts the items now paid for with state money that is likely to go away, average class size in kindergarten would rise from an average of 19 students to an average of 26. Fourth grade classes would rise to an average of 28.

Elementary school class size, though, was a high priority among district parents and staff in a survey on budget issues. Lower class sizes could be maintained if other items in the budget are cut and the money used to preserve class size.

The money that is most likely to be cut in the state budget goes for some specific items, including keeping class sizes lower. The question is, do we simply cut those items or are there other items that are lower priority that should be cut instead? Those who attend will be given a list of potential cuts and asked to prioritize where they are made.

Join your neighbors and speak up at your High School to ask the State to maintain class sizes:

April 14 - 7 p.m. Lake Washington High School, Kirkland

April 15 – 7 p.m. Redmond High School, Redmond

April 16 – 7 p.m. Eastlake High School, Sammamish

April 22 – 7 p.m. Juanita High School, Kirkland

Earth Day 2009 - community events

The Official Day for Earth Day celebrations across the country is Wednesday, April 22. The City of Redmond celebrates Earth day on Saturday, April 11.

I will be posting a Feature story on Earth Day , April, 22, about a local high school student who discovered an overlooked opportunity to improve our environment. Her creative solution could have wide impacts to sustainability.

In the meantime, enjoy and learn from Earth Day activities! Click on this Ecology link to Puget Sound Earth Day activities and educational events scheduled for our area.

Teacher Jim Anderson organizes LWSD's first "Bike to School" Clinic.

Attn: Education Hill parents and students. When you read this article, think of the severe traffic congestion we will be experiencing during the 166th & 104th construction project!

When Chris Thomas of Sammamish Valley Cycle told me about a new "Bike-to-School" clinic at Rosa Parks Elementary I decided check it out. Much to my surprise, Teacher Jim Anderson an old friend from lacrosse was giving the clinic! Jim initiated the clinic and is pioneering his pilot program for LWSD .

I took lots of pictures and two short video clips of Jim's Bike to School Clinic. The
slide show is on the right sidebar. Jim had 5 clinic stations where students learned to look over their shoulder, stop, take tight turns, and follow other bikes. Safety! Safety! If a student passed the driver test and their bike was checked out by Sammamish Valley Cycle, Teacher Jim issued purple stickers upon parent approval. Scores of students (4th - 5th grade) have graduated and are biking to school this year! Jim has high goals to expand the program widely throughout LWSD schools.

The final clinic was given by Chris Thomas, owner of Sammamish Valley Cycle. The three types of bikes were demoed and discussed. Helmets and other safety equipment were described. I was amazed how Mr. Anderson could keep his students so attentive and involved! Jim didn't forget to instruct his students about the benefits to our environment from bicycling. And they listened!

Chris is holding up a "U-Lock" in the right photo. The City of Redmond recommends this lock for their green Street Art Bike racks. Personally, I find them expensive, heavy and bulky and prefer a cable. But, I did see a lot of them on a recent trip to Victoria, B.C. where biking is everywhere.

According to Jim and Chris, the City of Redmond and the RJH Principal Barone are solidly behind Jim's Bike to School program and want to bring it to Redmond Junior High and other bikable schools. If you'd like a program for your child contact Joel Pfundt, city planner in charge of the Pedestrian Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee. Or call or email Chris Thomas. She is on the Advisory Committee.

HUGE KUDOS to Teacher Jim Anderson and Chris Thomas of Sammamish Valley Bicycle. Chris and her husband have a fabulous bicycle store and service center in Redmond (8451 - 164th Ave NE) at the base of Education Hill. Jim is a community jewel and has shaped literally thousands of Redmond youth with his teaching expertise, role modeling and passion for our children.

Come on students! Get out on your bikes, enjoy the fresh air, get to school faster, sleep in longer!

[Aside: Jim Anderson is known throughout Redmond as a pioneer for youth lacrosse on the Eastside. I coached briefly in his 6th grade program. Last year Jim started the Lake Washington High School Lacrosse Club. They made the championship tournament after only one year. But, that's another story!]

"Hartman Park Trails" - a city gem unveiled

For years, a select group of Education Hill neighbors have walked their dogs and hiked the network of forested dirt trails surrounding Hartman Park wetlands. Quite a few residents tried to keep this informal park "gem" to themselves. It's a peaceful, quiet, cool, lush forested area and so convenient to the surrounding neighbors. Yes, the trails could get muddy. Other than that, it was a neighborhood paradise.

The Parks Department finally discovered these trails and "our secret". "Hartman Park Trails" are now cedar-chipped and are marked with about 8 trail signs. I don't know what took them so long. My guess is the new joint Parks & Trails Commission is working together better and so took action. It's even remotely possible the recent Black Bear sightings in these woods prompted action. (I feel a little safer hiking the trails now they are "developed" by the city.) The nearby BMX dirt bike course has brought additional traffic near these trails, too.

Anyway, have fun! The trails are easy to access from at least 6-7 trailheads. The trails' "backbone" is Ashford Trail, a.k.a. Perrigo Woods Trail. It's a pervious, crushed gravel trail which mountain bikers sometimes use to "cut across town". The trail starts from the terminus of NE 100 St. near the Mormon Church almost a mile down the hill to Avondale Road. A good scenic resting point is Perrigo Springs (Historical Marker) near the water tower.

Children living in Lookout Ridge and Perrigo Heights can easitly walk to school from Perrigo Woods Trail to RHS and RJH. Any number of the .25 - .50 mile Hartman Park Trails will get them to their classes and homes -- faster and more peacefully than by car! Might even see a Western Red Squirrel or Heron on the way....

The Harman Park Trails can be accessed from the Fields #5 & #6 adjacent the restrooms. They can also me accessed from the neighborhoods bordering 176th Ave. NE. and 172nd Ave. NE.

The Parks Department defines trail users with a "backpacker" and "bicyclist" ICON. Dog walkers are probably welcome. I'm guessing the X-country teams run through here, though I haven't seen any. I've never seen a bicyclist on these curvy, narrow trails. None of the trails are listed "A.D.A. approved.". The cedar chipped trails smell fresh are very nice and may control the mud issue. I don't know who installed the chips.

Comment: I hope the city will use cedar chipped trails for riparian pathways in the Eastern Corridor Parks. I'm glad the city is not black-topping Ashford Trail and pray they won't black-topped on the backbone trails of the planned Eastern Corridor Parks. Black-top "trails" are more like service roads. They are more invasive and unnatural and unbefitting of the rural, riparian parklands of the Eastern Corridor. (Anderson, Conrad Olsen, Perrigo, F-M, Juel parks)

Video Clip: A "sweet spot" amidst construction madness in the North Redmond Neighborhood

Opinion: Below are two 1-minute video clips of a 14 unit, single family home "Mosaic Meadows" development on 116th Street about 1/2 mile west Einstein Elementary school. The project is under construction with about 4 homes built. Actually, what you'll see in the clips are several trails running through partially restored wetlands and stream areas. The "Mosaic Meadows" landowner 'donated' a wetland area to the city to build a community trail connector to Einstein El for use by students and pedestrians. The videos will show you some other possibilities for this land. I think you'll like what city and landowner are doing, especially for Einstein El.
According to the city website this Mosaic Meadows project, is still under permitting review and construction has not started; so I took a hike. Take a quick look at city's dated Development Review Project Report, . City "budgeting by priorities" is still under review but I've heard from several city staff that a new website is in the offing. Our existing site has a few holes in it and the present Administration knows it.