Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!
Editorial: I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the smart thing to do. Schools are a great investment for our neighborhoods. We know that!
But, let's not lose sight that local businesses count on our schools for a vibrant, educated labor pool. "Being future ready " is more than about leaving town for college. Many students find their future right here, working for local businesses after graduation.
I have personal and financial reasons for supporting the levy and bond measures:
1) My daughter received a first class education (K-12) that prepared her for college. Her life was enriched by a long list of inspiring teachers, outside school activities, and friendships. I've always felt my kid was safe at school.
2) Even though my only child is graduating this year, I still look at the additional $170/year tax tab as a good investment. Why? If we don’t fund all three measures, the school system will lose the equivalent of 612 teachers, 30-year roofs and buildings will deteriorate and classrooms will overflow from the 1200 new students expected by 2014. We can expect no bail-out from the State - actually less from them!
3) If we let our schools go down the tube, so go the neighborhoods and our home values. I see the $170/year payment as "property value insurance protection." Without it, my home and largest asset may never fully bounce off this bottom.
Will you be voting Tuesday, Februrary 9? Please Vote YES on all three LWSD funding measures!
By Bob Yoder
Voter information about the District Levies and Bond is here.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Letter: 44 states in the nation spend more per student than Washington.
Redmond Neighborhood Blog: LETTER: Lake Washington School District needs to stay within budget.:
"We moved out of a local community whose school district was just 'teaching the basics' and we chose LWSD for their ability to 'meet the challenges of the future'. As families, we were asked to provide all the same type of basic materials there that we are here- paper, pencils, reading materials, etc. Only there- they had very little focus on technology so I doubt that a thumb drive was even used. They instead had to focus education dollars on before and after school care, subsidized lunches and repair and replacement of the countless stolen equipment and damaged or vandalized property weekly. I am glad to be in the LWSD, and I am glad and confident that my money will work harder for their education here than it did there.
The real flaws come from how our state funds education and that there could be such differences in public schools just 50 miles apart. When there are 44 states in the nation that spend more per student than Washington, there is a problem. When library books and librarians are not considered 'basic education' under state definition- there is a problem. When computers and transportation to and from school are not considered 'basic'- there is a problem. The problem is not within LWSD, it is a statewide problem of not funding basic education as promised in the state constitution."
- anonymous
1/29/2010
Comments? School Board member(s) are cordially invited and encouraged to send their Letters for publishing to redmondblog@gmail.com
"We moved out of a local community whose school district was just 'teaching the basics' and we chose LWSD for their ability to 'meet the challenges of the future'. As families, we were asked to provide all the same type of basic materials there that we are here- paper, pencils, reading materials, etc. Only there- they had very little focus on technology so I doubt that a thumb drive was even used. They instead had to focus education dollars on before and after school care, subsidized lunches and repair and replacement of the countless stolen equipment and damaged or vandalized property weekly. I am glad to be in the LWSD, and I am glad and confident that my money will work harder for their education here than it did there.
The real flaws come from how our state funds education and that there could be such differences in public schools just 50 miles apart. When there are 44 states in the nation that spend more per student than Washington, there is a problem. When library books and librarians are not considered 'basic education' under state definition- there is a problem. When computers and transportation to and from school are not considered 'basic'- there is a problem. The problem is not within LWSD, it is a statewide problem of not funding basic education as promised in the state constitution."
- anonymous
1/29/2010
Comments? School Board member(s) are cordially invited and encouraged to send their Letters for publishing to redmondblog@gmail.com
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Yearly count finds fewer homeless in King County
Yearly count finds fewer homeless in King County:
"Castle and nearly 1,000 other volunteers canvassed King County early Friday as part of the county's One Night Count of the homeless not living in shelters.
The 30th annual count, conducted between 2 and 7 a.m., revealed that despite a deep recession, about 5 percent fewer people were living on the county's streets than a year ago." read complete story
short clip of homeless
By Brian Rosenthal
Seattle Times staff reporter
"Castle and nearly 1,000 other volunteers canvassed King County early Friday as part of the county's One Night Count of the homeless not living in shelters.
The 30th annual count, conducted between 2 and 7 a.m., revealed that despite a deep recession, about 5 percent fewer people were living on the county's streets than a year ago." read complete story
short clip of homeless
By Brian Rosenthal
Seattle Times staff reporter
#####
Redmond City Councilmember John Stilin participated in the annual count.
Jan. 29: Include voting in your weekend plans
Jan. 29: Include voting in your weekend plans:
Voters who have already returned their ballots can track its progress as it is processed at https://info.kingcounty.gov/elections/mailballottracking.aspx.
To be counted, mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, February 9, Election Day.
We check the signature on every ballot that is returned. Be sure to use your legal, professional signature and not simply your initials, as this is checked against your signature on file.
Voters who have not received their ballot should call 206-296-VOTE (8683). For more information on the February 9 election, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/eltions/ ."
- King County Elections
Voters who have already returned their ballots can track its progress as it is processed at https://info.kingcounty.gov/elections/mailballottracking.aspx.
To be counted, mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, February 9, Election Day.
We check the signature on every ballot that is returned. Be sure to use your legal, professional signature and not simply your initials, as this is checked against your signature on file.
Voters who have not received their ballot should call 206-296-VOTE (8683). For more information on the February 9 election, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/eltions/ ."
- King County Elections
Friday, January 29, 2010
Learn to Create a Backyard Habitat at Redmond Classes
Learn to Create a Backyard Habitat at Redmond Classes
Learn how to certify your yard as a backyard habitat. Classes start in March at Overlake School.....more
By Debra Sinick
West Redmond Real Estate Buzz
Learn how to certify your yard as a backyard habitat. Classes start in March at Overlake School.....more
By Debra Sinick
West Redmond Real Estate Buzz
Seattle Times forges partnerships with local news sites
Local News Partnerships
In an effort to provide readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date news from throughout the region, The Seattle Times has forged partnerships with a number of local news Web sites. Go here to see the complete list, along with their most recent headlines. complete story
View Seattle Networked News Initiative in a larger map (Rednond Neighborhood Blog is on the map)
by Bob Payne
Seattle Times Director of Communities
In an effort to provide readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date news from throughout the region, The Seattle Times has forged partnerships with a number of local news Web sites. Go here to see the complete list, along with their most recent headlines. complete story
View Seattle Networked News Initiative in a larger map (Rednond Neighborhood Blog is on the map)
by Bob Payne
Seattle Times Director of Communities
Jeff Chandler to take over Redmond football program | Seattle Times Newspaper
Jeff Chandler to take over Redmond football program
Redmond athletic director John Appelgate announced Friday that Jeff Chandler is taking over the football program.
Chandler replaces Mike Pluschke, who resigned after the season"....READ MORE
By Mason Kelley
High School Sports Blog
The Seattle Times
Redmond athletic director John Appelgate announced Friday that Jeff Chandler is taking over the football program.
Chandler replaces Mike Pluschke, who resigned after the season"....READ MORE
By Mason Kelley
High School Sports Blog
The Seattle Times
Why Microsoft shouldn't worry about iPad -- and why it should
Why Microsoft shouldn't worry about iPad -- and why it should
There were no doubt some momentary sighs of relief inside Microsoft -- at least inside the Windows division -- as the official details of Apple's iPad emerged yesterday. But should there have been? Read more
By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
There were no doubt some momentary sighs of relief inside Microsoft -- at least inside the Windows division -- as the official details of Apple's iPad emerged yesterday. But should there have been? Read more
By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
LW School Superintendent Chip Kimball wins Nation's Top Ten Educators Award for Technology Vision and Leadership
When asked about the award in the press release, Dr. Kimball said: “This award is really about how supportive our community is in creating an environment for 21st century learning, where technology is used to support all students’ learning. I am thrilled that LWSD is recognized as a national leader in this area, which would not happen without the support of our school board, staff and community.”
“Research shows that technology can facilitate better teaching and learning, but only when used judiciously,” said Dennis Pierce, editor of eSchool News. “And that starts at the very top, with strong district leadership..."
By Shana Murik, communications manager
smurik@eschoolnews.com
Voice: 301-913-0115
Last night's performance by Redmond's poet laureate draws attention.
Comment: The short soundbites of poetry recorded by FOX 13 do no service to our poet laureate's literary art. I hope the city will produce a VIDEO that shows the true value and meaning of Rebecca's artistry.
I really wanted to see our new poet laureate, Rebecca Merideth. My wife and I rushed from our workout at the R.A.C. last night to get Soulfood Bookstore by 7:30. We arrived just in time to hear Rebecca read a poem and talk about her new part time job as Redmond's poet laureate. I was moved by her reading, enough that I'd like to have it in writing to share with my daughter. Every seat was taken in Soulfood with a mixture of older adults and some children. Other known poets read at open mic.
We noticed the Channel 13 Fox news van was just outside, but we missed their interviews. Back at home, Pam shouted: "the Fox news show is on!" After some talk about the scarcity and cost of poet laureates in Washington Councilmember Hank Margeson was interviewed. Rebecca gave answers to the program's purpose and meaning. read the complete Channel 13 Fox story.
It was announced Rebecca is planning to read at Redmond High School. She works M-TH so Friday may be the day for many of her public performances. The Mayor had to attend a PTSA meeting at Einstein El. so couldn't make it. Councilmember John Stilin (former Arts Commission Chair) was gone, preparing for "ONE NIGHT COUNT THE HOMELESS". John is on the 1AM - 5:30PM shift.
By Bob Yoder
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Seattle Times Newspaper announces Redmond's poet laureate
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Photo by ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES
The list of poets in the state who can claim the title of poet laureate is short. The state and the city of Tacoma have anointed poets laureate, while the city of Seattle does its own egalitarian thing with an elected poet populist.
But last year, the city of Redmond popped up on the list. read more
By Nicole Tsong
Steattle Times Eastside reporter###
* FLASH: Rebecca Meredith will be reading her poetry tonight (1/28), 7-9PM, Soulfood Bookstore on 15748 Redmond Way (next to Ben Franklin).
* INCLUDED in the Seattle Times story (arts/local) are related entries from my blog. read them here
Editorial: Vote YES on Lake Washington School District's levies/bond.
Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!
Editorial: I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the right thing to do. Number One: schools are a great investment -- not just for our neighborhoods (and businesses needing a labor pool) but for our personal financial good health....more*
*The complete Editorial will be posted on my blog this weekend. Will you be voting on Februray 9th?
Information about the 2010 Lake Washington School District Levies and Bond is here.
By Bob Yoder
Editor, Redmond Neighborhood Blog
Editorial: I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the right thing to do. Number One: schools are a great investment -- not just for our neighborhoods (and businesses needing a labor pool) but for our personal financial good health....more*
*The complete Editorial will be posted on my blog this weekend. Will you be voting on Februray 9th?
Information about the 2010 Lake Washington School District Levies and Bond is here.
By Bob Yoder
Editor, Redmond Neighborhood Blog
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