Horace Mann Students Give Thanks To Their Teachers

Students and parents of Horace Mann El. give thanks to their teachers. "We Miss You" is spelled out by punching red plastic cups through the fence. 5/12/2020

Lake Washington Schools Foundation allocates $72,000 for LINKS tutor/mentor program next year.

7th Annual LWSF luncheon at LW High raised $130K

Lake Washington Schools Foundation allocates $72,000 to LINKS mentor / tutor program for 2012-2013 school year.  Volunteers will be needed to serve 1500 students. 

With outgoing President Terri Blier by her side, LeeAnn Wood, Executive Director of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF)announced plans to bolster the LINKS program at the School Board's last public meeting.
LINKS, short for "Looking Into the Needs of Kids," is a mentoring and tutoring program that recruits and trains volunteers "to work one-on-one with students to help them feel connected, valued, and challenged," said LeeAnn Wood.  "Volunteers come from all walks of life:  they're retirees, business workers, community volunteers, and parents."  LeeAnn said they learn skills like problem solving, critical creative thinking, and work & collaborating with peers.

Last year 788 students were served by 158 volunteers for a total of 4400 hours - and 60 kids were still on the waiting list for a mentor by the end of last year.  Next year, the Foundation's Executive Board projects student needs to double to almost 1500.  LeeAnn said they're waiting for the program person's plan from the district.

Ms. Wood announced the Foundation's four new officers for next year.  Peg Hunt is the new President.  Peg's been on the Board since 2009 and has two sons in school.  She has a BS in Psychology from University of Washington and a Master's in Organizational Psychology from San Diego University.  Peg has 8 year's experience working as a scientist for Batelle in Seattle and fundraising success at over $350,000 levels.  Read More >>

Lake Washington Institute of Technology to offer aerospace manufacturing certificate

Lake Washington Institute of Technology 

Eleven community and technical colleges in Washington state are among the first in the nation to implement a new national program touted by President Obama as key to getting Americans back to work.  Lake Washington Institute of Technology will participate.

A certificate is earned in computer-numeric controlled machining and designed to meet employers’ needs by quickly getting them workers with the required knowledge, skills and abilities and to meet students’ needs by giving them employable skills now plus college credit, something they can build on in the future. 

“This is the first time we have a group of community and technical colleges all teaching the same curriculum, providing skills that are closely tied to employers’ needs and offering a nationally recognized certification,” Bredeson said. “Washington leads the way in aerospace manufacturing and now we’re leading the way in aerospace manufacturing training.”  Read More >>

LW Institute of Technology receives Four-Year Baccalaureate Accreditation

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) Receives Four-Year Baccalaureate Level Accreditation

Includes Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design (BTAD) This program is geared toward people who work with technology (graphic designers, game artists, video production folks, architecture, mechanical/industrial design).

Kirkland, Wash.: Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) received accreditation at the baccalaureate level this month from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the region’s authority on higher education accreditation. The new designation includes the college’s Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design (BTAD) degree and came in conjunction with the accreditation of LWIT’s associate degree level programs.  Read More >>

OPINION: "Avondale Villas" development calmed by speed feedback safety sign.

Orange tape marks the width and entrance to Avondale Crest's (Villa) road from NE 104th, photo (2007). 

This car didn't slow down and is already out of sight.

Avondale Villas development pays $12,000 towards cost of radar speed feedback sign on 104th - for traffic calming.

OPINION:  Have you noticed the new “radar feedback sign” on the NE 104th Street hill, just above the 184th Ave. NE intersection? It’s hard to believe the speed limit is 25 mph on this highly traveled arteriole.. Most cars, some of them students, zoom down the curved hill at 40 mph.

Since the radar sign was installed most cars are slowing down before they get to 184th, but not all. (Many thanks to the 6,000 citizens petitioning to eliminate red-light cameras.)

According to a Public Works planner, “the $30,000+ radar sign” wasn't just installed for traffic calming for the 184th intersection. The city required the sign as a condition for the project's approval.  This controversial 9-lot residential development was called “Avondale Crest.” (re-named Avondale Villas.) City Council approved the plat (6-1, Allen) after an appeal was defeated 4-3. 

Two project defects delayed permitting and is holding up the sale of Avondale Crest (Villas): Read More >>

Social Skills and Anti-bullying Techniques

from the desk of Julie Shalaby, Chair LW-PTSA Special Needs Group...

"Social Skills and Anti-bullying Techniques"

Presented by Ben Wahl, MSW

LWSD Resource Building

Tuesday, February 28th, 7 - 9 p.m.

This Presentation will explore the ways in which social skills instruction can help special needs students from elementary school to young adult. Special consideration will be given to topics such as anti-bullying techniques,teaching flexibility and emotion regulation, building perspective-taking and preparing students for the young adult transition.

Ben Wahl has spent thousands of hours facilitating groups and working individually with students on these issues. The presentation will cover some of the unique lessons that Ben has learned from his group members. Students tell us what they need as they progress socially, they are just not always great at expressing it.  Read More >>

Senate votes in favor of a new teacher and principal evaluation system.

House Bill 5895 makes teachers and principals accountable, expected to pass.

• Tenured teachers rated unsatisfactory two years in a row will be fired.
• First time, new teachers rated unsatisfactory will be prevented from getting tenure

Shannon Campion
Executive Director, Stand for Children

Editor:  On Tuesday, we heard the sweet sound of 46 state Senators voting in favor of a new teacher and principal evaluation system that takes into account how much kids are actually learning in the classroom.

For the first time, these meaningful evaluations will be used in assigning and removing teachers and principals.

This landmark legislation is a triumph for the 1,035,000 children in public school in Washington and for all our advocates who know that a dedicated teacher can change a struggling student's life. Only three senators voted against it.  Read More >>

Lake Washington's Dental Hygienists’ Society offering free preventative dental treatments



Lake Washington Institute of Tecnology's Dental Clinic in Kirkland

 Free Kids Dental Sealant Day at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Kirkland, Wash.: In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Lake Washington’s Dental Hygienists’ Society is offering a free preventive dental program for children ages 6 to 13, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

State-registered dental hygienists and Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) dental hygiene students will place dental sealants. Exams (provided by licensed dentists), bitewing x-rays, and fluoride varnish (a value of more than $300) will also be provided to children who would otherwise not receive this cavity-prevention treatment due to a lack of insurance.

Children whose teeth cannot be sealed due to decay may have their cavities filled at a later date at the LWIT Dental Clinic at no charge.

Sealants are non-toxic white coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to protect teeth from cavities. The painless process can protect children’s teeth for 6-8 years, and is typically done in less than an hour.

Space is limited. To reserve a place in LWIT’s Dental Sealant Day, please call the LWIT dental clinic at (425) 739-8130.   Read More >>

UPDATED: Part One: Bus Transportation and Overcrowding Problems at Rural Alcott Elementary



CLICK TO ENLARGE

Bus Transportation and Overcrowding Problems at Rural Alcott Elementary

By Susan Wilkins

LETTER:  Alcott Elementary and Rockwell Elementary are two identical schools built from the same architectural plans in the mid-1980s. Rockwell is centrally located in the middle of an urban neighborhood on Education Hill in Redmond. Alcott Elementary is a rural school along Redmond-Fall City Road that was built for rural students who live in the sparsely populated east side of the school district. When we compare the number of students who are transported to each school by bus and the distance that students must travel, we see that locating schools inside Urban Growth Boundaries where students live is more convenient for students and saves school districts money on transportation costs.

Alcott Elementary has an unusual student population.  Read More >>

"The Hugging Tree" crashes down

"The Hugging Tree"  crashes down - remaining stump and debris in foreground

LETTER:  Wanted to be sure you know about this loss to a beloved part of Redmond history:

From the Ferrel McWhirter Park facebook page, we have learned that the "hugging tree" was destroyed by the snow and ice.  This tree was a major focal point of the south side of the park.

As the name implies, generations of kids attending the City-run preschool at the park regularly would make a circle around this wonderful tree. Call them tree-huggers or not, but they did learn to love nature!

Even kids now grown are crushed to learn of this loss. Perhaps someone should be brought in to create a fitting piece of art out of the remaining stump?

The nearby preschool at the park is one of the hidden gems of Redmond, and my kids have grown up with some of the friends they met there.

They all consider this "their" park forever, and it is an anchor to the area for us all.

Letter by anonymous reader
Submitted to RNB on 1/21/12

LINKS Volunteers: Caring about the needs of kids and schools - registering now

LINKS volunteer with her kids!

"LINKS":  Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools

"LINKS" is a program of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), with funding provided by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. LINKS recruits and places community volunteers in LWSD schools, including those in the Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish communities. 

Contact Nanci Weir to sign-up or learn more at:  LINKS@lwsd.org
What Type of Volunteering Can I Do?

LINKS volunteers spend one hour per week in the classroom as mentors, tutors and classroom helpers. Volunteers are placed based on the needs of the schools in the district and the interests of the LINKS volunteers.   Read More!
  --Source:  LWSD website LINK page

COMMENT:  I was a Lunch Buddy for 8 years and junior high Project Impact buddy for two years.  It was a great experience for me at the time the schools were funding the program.   In 2010-11 program funding was taken over by the FOUNDATION and the road was a little rocky.  I've since heard the FOUNDATION  has a full-time Executive Director and is better run than ever.  Sign-up!  These kids need you! And, the rewards to you will be ten-fold. -- Bob Yoder

"Snow-child melts Mom's heart"

Alcott Snow-child melts Mom's heart

Shot on 2/2011 on Alcott Elementary playfield next to the STEM school.  Even after the six mile drive from Education Hill, the Snow-ladies were holding their own in the sun.   

Send me one of your pictures!  redmondblog@gmail.com

Photo By Bob Yoder

STEM = "Science, Technology, Engineering, Math" school.

Lake Washington School Board's Ravi Shahani recognized for his community service

Ravi Shahani
LW School Board, Redmond

The December 5th business meeting was a big night for Lake Washington School Board member, Ravi Shahani. After 8 years on the Board, Ravi was retiring to spend more time with his career and family. Parents, students, board members and staff gave special recognition to Ravi for his dedicated service to the district.

Above and beyond official school board work,  Ravi is a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer in our community. He participated in the city Education Hill Citizen's Advisory Committee ~six years ago advocating for Art, our schools, and technology. Ravi is a conscientious board member willing to sacrifice personal time for extracurricular board efforts.  For example, he attended Redmond city council meetings to promote district bond and levy programs. He addressed and informed Redmond Council on the acceleration of new information in our world and the challenge of keeping students current and future ready. And, we know he's done so much more!  Ravi's district BIO was removed from the website. No doubt, board member-elect Siri Bliesner is glad you'll still be around!  And so are we!

Thank you, Ravi for all that you do for our community!

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Ref:  http://www.eastsideindianed.org/

LWSD - PTSA presents "Anxiety and ADHD," By Chris McCurry

Tuesday, November 22, 7 – 9 pm

LWSD Resource Building,16250 NE 74th St, Redmond 98052 (Redmond Town Center)  

"Anxiety and ADHD:  Too Many Hands on the Wheel"

Presented by Dr Chris McCurry

About 1 in 4 children with an ADHD diagnosis will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder and 1 in 4 children with an anxiety disorder will meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This lecture will explore the role of attention in childhood anxiety disorders. We will look at the origins of attention and anxiety problems in a child’s biology (temperament), thinking and language development, and early social and academic experiences. We will discuss parent strategies for effectively managing stressful and anxious situations by managing attention in the moment.

Christopher McCurry, Ph.D., is a clinical child psychologist in private practice. He is a clinical assistant professor in the departments of psychology and at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of children who are experiencing behavioral and emotional problems including anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, organization difficulties and underachievement in school, social deficits and differences; and defiant & explosive behavior in children. He has recently completed his first book entitled, “Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and Acceptance: a powerful new approach to overcoming fear, panic, and worry using acceptance and commitment therapy”. For more information about his work & book, please go to http://chrismccurry.com/my-book/

from the desk of Julie Shalaby, LW PTSA - Special Needs

U.S. News and World Report ranks best high schools in our area

US News and World Report publishes 2011 Special Edition of Colleges and High School rankings 

Two schools in the Lake Washington School District were awarded honors:  International School-Kirkland (a Choice school) and Redmond High School. 

International School - Kirkland was awarded a Gold Medal for "College Readiness" and ranked #8 in "Science and Math."   Redmond High School achieved a Silver Medal for "College Readiness" and ranked  #151 for "Science and Math,"

I.  "We looked at the nearly 600 schools that qualified for the Gold, Silver, and Honorable Mention lists of the U.S. News Best High Schools and then evaluated their students' participation rates and performances on AP® exams in "Science and Math."   The following are schools that performed the best in Science and Math in our local area:

Science and Math - Local Area Rankings:  #8 International School -Kirkland,  #17 International School,  #42 Newport,  #68 Bainbridge,  #76 Bellevue,  #151 Redmond High School.

II.  "We looked at more than 21,000 public high schools in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The following are the local schools in our local area that performed with the best ranking index for "College Readiness."


Gold Medal - Local Area "Best High Schools ranked for College Readiness":  #10 International School - Bellevue, #29 International School - Kirkland, #72 Newport, #78 Bellevue.

Silver Medal - Local Area "Best High Schools indexed for College Readiness":  Garfield (58), Roosevelt (45),  Redmond High (43), Interlake  (41), Mercer Island (41)  Issaquah (35),  Woodinville (29),  Inglemoor (41).

III.  "We looked at the top schools with the highest Asian-American population."  #10 International School-Bellevue, #29 International School-Kirkland, #72 Newport, #78 Bellevue. 

-- US News & World Report, October, 2011
Photo US News & World Report

Brief History of Patsy Rosenbach - Redmond native and 1958 Lake Washington H.S. Grad

 1955 - Football Crowd and Cheer leaders at LWHS/Credit Historical Society

An abbreviated history of the life of Patsy Rosenbach, Redmond native and Lake Washington High School graduate, class of '58.

I grew up on "Education Hill" before it was Education Hill. It was a dirt road that had huge washouts annually.  It's NE 166th AV. NE, but back then 3rd Avenue.  Redmond continues to have my loyalty. I have never lived farther than 10 miles away. I truly enjoy the fellowship at our annual “Golden Grads Reunions” of Lake Washington High School (LWHS), my alma mater. We just had our 2011 Golden Grad Reunion last month.  (Read More about it below!)  In my school days, LWHS housed students from Redmond, Kirkland, and Juanita.

A little family history: I'm the youngest graduate in my class of ‘58. I learned how to read, spell, and do arithmetic before I entered school and graduated at 16. My dad was blind and an invalid, but he taught me and my older sister before we entered school. Our older brother suffered a severe reaction to a small pox vaccination as a youngster, and had to have his books sent home with him to continue his studies.

I went to the first grade, as there was no kindergarten offered that year (the taxpayers had to vote it in and they declined that year). Three weeks later I was sent to a combined first and second grade room with Mrs. Shobert.

What did Redmond look like? Nothing like today! Read More >>

UPDATED: A tree gets nailed

Pathway leading to Redmond Junior High

UPDATED:  Students taking this path to Redmond Junior High walk past this tree.  A "pet policy" school district sign is bolted and nailed to it.  The sign is visible from NE 104th. 

GOOD NEWS!  The Administration recently announced a new pet policy and this sign will be removed.  Kathryn Reith, District Communications Director stated that once new signs are made the old signs will be taken down and replaced with the new pet policy. 

Find the new Pet Policy here:  http://www.lwsd.org/About/Policies-Regulations/Admin-Policies/school-community-relations/Pages/Dogs-on-District-Property.aspx

Photo and opinion By Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Lake Washington School District Superintendent Chip Kimball will step down to head international school in Singapore

Singapore American School - "largest single-campus international school in the world,
 with 3,878 students, 353 faculty members, and 222 support staff"

“As a board, we are dismayed to learn that Dr. Kimball will be leaving us while at the same time we are happy for him and his family in their new endeavors,” said Jackie Pendergrass, president of the board of directors for Lake Washington School District

Redmond, Wash. – Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent of Lake Washington School District, announced today that the 2011-12 school year will be his last in that position. “After extensive soul searching and deliberation, my wife Cheryl and I have decided to spend the next phase of our personal and professional lives overseas,” said Dr. Kimball. “Beginning in the summer of 2012, I will serve as the superintendent of the Singapore American School in Singapore.” Dr. Kimball noted that his decision was a very difficult one, made only after much deliberation with his family.  Read More >>

Our changing Climate: Resources for students, By Seth Preston

Our changing Climate: Resources for students
By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program
from the EPA website;   A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change

Depending on where you live, the K-12 school year either is under way or preparing to start. So it makes sense to offer some kid-friendly climate change resources.

First, check out Ecology’s climate resource web page for students and teachers. (Redmond High School's "Cool Schools" is here!)

Read the entire article >>

Redmond Police to do extra enforcement around schools, start of the year

Jim Bove to speak Sept 2

"Reading, Writing, and Safe Driving!"

Redmond, WA – Redmond Police will be doing extra enforcement in and around school zones to make sure children and citizens get off to a safe start this academic year.  Officers will use speed trailers and enforce regulations pertaining to speed, crosswalks, and parking.

Additionally, with the beginning of the academic year, traffic safety cameras on NE 116th Street in front of Einstein Elementary School will be activated. 


Cameras in front of Einstein are live only when the yellow beacons are flashing, generally from:
8:35 a.m. to 8:55 a.m.
3:25 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. 
(Wednesday afternoon - 1:55 pm - 2:15 pm)

“Those traveling should always maintain safe driving habits, but especially in school zones where children may not be paying attention,” stated Traffic Lt. Nick Almquist.  “We will work with school crossing guards and school administrators to ensure they are prepared for the coming academic year.”
Other safety tips:

•  When posted, the speed limit is 20 miles per hour in school zones when children are present (Fine: minimum $189, depends on speed)
•  Stop when following a school bus and its red lights are flashing  (Fine: $394)
•  Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and on sidewalks (Fine: $124)
•  Avoid using cell phones, IPods, and other activities that cause inattentive driving (Fine: $124)

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
(425) 556-2545
jbove@redmond.gov

Mr. Bove to speak at First Friday Chat, Sept. 2, 10AM, Senior Community Center.  Public is invited.