PTA mom tours Juanita High School infrastructure - gives startling report

LETTER:  Voters in the Lake Washington School District now have the opportunity to pass a bond that would modernize Juanita High School three years ahead of schedule.

Curious about the needs of the school and having some experience in assessing school infrastructures, I recently toured Juanita HS in the company of Associate Principal Timothy Hupperten and Head Custodian Les Richey.  I immediately observed that the staff and students at Juanita keep their hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria, and classrooms clean and free of graffiti.

Further along, I saw that the facilities are way too small for the growing needs of the students. Everywhere I visited, I saw that teachers and students have been very resourceful in making good use of tight space.
But most important of all, I realized that Juanita High School has serious deficiencies in many essential operating systems, including those for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. And the roof leaks.  For example: 

• Even though five portables are in daily use, classrooms are still crowded, averaging 32 students per class with little space for storage, computer stations, or small group meetings.

• The limited science labs were built with lab benches meant for six groups of four students (24 student capacity). The hands-on experience of 32 students in the chemistry class is limited in this setting.

• The school’s electrical capacity is limited. Teachers curb their use of electrical devices to avoid blowing fuses. Students have lost their computer work when overloaded circuits popped.

• The school would clearly like to increase its technology capacity. But adding new wiring means drilling through the thick concrete pad that supports the building to access the underground wiring system.

• The girls do not have enough bathrooms. Over 500 girls rely on just 13 toilets in the girls’ two main bathrooms, only one of which is wheelchair-accessible.

• The roof is flat. Despite repeated repairs, water perennially pools on the roof and leaks into Juanita’s classrooms, hallways, library, theater, gymnasium, locker rooms and offices, causing expensive damage.

• The gas-powered boiler is too small to properly heat a building that has 18-foot tall ceilings. Not all HVAC ducts properly align with the classrooms. As a result, some classrooms are always too hot in the warm months, and too cold in the winter.

These are costly problems that no amount of elbow-grease and can-do spirit can solve. They affect the education of our children in very profound ways. Our children deserve better. I dearly love the Juanita HS community. Although I don’t have children at the school, I am a Juanita PTA member and have attended many sporting events, plays, and graduation ceremonies. I can personally attest to the spirit, pride and warmth that the students, teachers, principal, building staff and parents all feel about their school.

So, I voted YES for the bond and hope you do the same.  Will you?

By Barb Billinghurst
Kirkland, WA.

Fast Facts on 2010 Levy and Bond Measures.

UPDATED: Seattle Times debt is restructured - local partnerships alive and growing.

Dear Readers and Guests:

UPDATED:   As you may know, The Seattle Times has partnered with my blog and 18 others in the Seattle area to bring exciting, hyper local news to our communities.  In just two weeks time, my partnership with the Seattle Times has changed the landscape of my work as a Citizen Blogger. More neighbors and businesses are approaching me. My credibility has skyrocketed and as long as I report with accuracy, clarity, on topic, with good sourcing and judgement, I'm confident you will read and recommend my journal.

The Seattle Times recently sponsored my participation in the annual Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) editor's training workshop. It was held in Tacoma this year at the News Tribune. Besides filling my yellow pad with notes on the values and tools of journalism, many of the participants embraced my effort. I now have the resources I need to create a new platform rich in content. I'll carry a modest tool box to build news-generating social media and engage YOU with your neighbors, schools, businesses and city!

Thank you for your patience while I get up and running.   As you read my journal you will see the changes, but not overnight.  Expect fewer stories through the Spring.  And, I'll be connecting more with local businesses.  So hang in and know I'm working hard for you.  

This sea change in my approach to reach out to you would  probably never occur without The Seattle Times partnership.  I am forever grateful to the TIMES organization. And I am also very happy to report exciting news today that the TIMES is financially sound and we can look forward to the long future together.   

Thank you for your readership and to those who have contributed with comments, a photo, a story or idea!   And for John Reinke correcting an embarrassing spelling error!

By Bob Yoder

Swedish slated to open Redmond Ambulatory Care and E.R. end of 2010.

Swedish Moves Forward on Redmond Ambulatory Care and Emergency Facility

Local Health Guide - Seattle Times

REDMOND, WASH., Feb. 5, 2010 – Swedish Health Services announced today development of an innovative ambulatory care and freestanding emergency room (ER) in Redmond. A building permit application is under review by the City of Redmond and an exterior rendering of the structure has been completed. The current schedule anticipates construction to begin in March 2010 and be completed by end of the year.

Designed to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Designed to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Swedish will lease 55,000-square-feet of space for clinical programs including an ER with 18 exam rooms, advanced diagnostic imaging (including X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI), on-site laboratory services, as well as primary and specialty care offices.

The facility is planned on a 6.5-acre parcel at 18100 Union Hill Road, next to the Microsoft campus.
 
Released by Ed Boyle
206-386-2748
ed.boyle@swedish.org

Redmond Police arrest man for indecent exposure

This report just in from Jim Bove, Spokesperson for the Redmond Police:

Redmond Police arrested a man last night in Grasslawn Park for indecent exposure. We believe he may be linked to at least three previous cases with a similar suspect description over the last six months. He walked out to the trail exposing and touching himself. The victim who saw him ran to the parking lot to borrow someone's cell phone to call 911. Officers responded immediately and the victim flagged down one of the officers as he arrived and pointed out the area where the victim was.

Mr. Bove said, "This was not only an important arrest because of the circumstances, but just as important that the victim kept her wits about her and responded exactly how she was supposed to--calling us with a description and location of the man."

By Jim Bove
City of Redmond Spokesperson

9:27 AM, 2/5/2010 - first reported

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Hanna's Story

Dear Bob,

When Hannah first came to YES she favored skinny jeans, ballet flats and as much make-up as she could get away with in an effort to look like a 16 years old, rather than the 14 year old that she was. 'I used to tell my Mom everything would be okay with my boyfriend Brad if she would just butt out,' she says. 'But things were far from okay.'

Brad was showing the classic signs of an abuser - isolating Hannah from friends and family, telling her he was the only one who truly understood her, pressuring her to have sex, and using anger to threaten and control. 'He was 17 and had dropped out of high school. He seemed like such a grown up. He wanted me to quit school too. He talked about starting a family.'

One night Hannah came home crying and bruised after a fight, which tripped alarm bells for her parents. But Hannah wasn't ready to let go. Hannah's mother turned to YES, insisting on counseling for Hannah. Hannah began learning about healthy relationships and both Hannah and her parents were given the tools to empower Hannah to safely stand-up to, and eventually leave Brad.

'I thought I loved Brad and nothing was going to change that. But I was in the dark. So many girls like me need to learn about healthy relationships. Without YES I'm certain I would have been another high school drop-out, teen mother or victim of domestic violence.

This month is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In honor of kids like Hannah, I'd like to thank you for being a part of a community that cares about girls at-risk for teen dating and domestic violence and for all the kids and families who get the help they need from YES.

National Teen Dating Violence Website:  http://www.teendvmonth.org/

Sincerely,

By Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director, YES!
Youth Eastside Services
(with drop-in centers at Redmond's Family Resource Center, Crossroads, Kirkland, and Sammamish)

Evergreen Hospital Names Interim CEO

Evergreen Hospital Names Interim CEO:

"Kirkland, WA – Lowell Johnson of Seattle has been selected by the Board of Commissioners to serve as interim chief executive officer at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. He will be in charge of the healthcare organization’s day-to-day operation while a national search is conducted to replace Steve Brown."  complete story

By Sherry Grindeland
Media Relations Coordinator, Evergreen Hospital 

Lake Washington Schools Foundation Co-President asks you to renew an irreplaceable investment.

Our district has an enviable record of publicly involving the community in budget decisions, and for being transparent. The Lake Washington volunteer School Board and district administration have also demonstrated state-wide leadership in fiscal accountability. As the 6th largest district in Washington, LWSD ranks #2 out of the largest 15 districts on dollars per pupil spent on teaching while also being 2nd best at spending the least for central administration per student.

Local community leaders in every arena and industry, many of whom publicly endorse the school levies (readers can check with their organizations of choice for their outlook), join in asking your readers to renew an irreplaceable investment by us, each local voter, for our own futures by voting “Yes” to approve all three Lake Washington school measures on the Feb. 9th ballot.

Byron C. Shutz, Jr.
Co-President 2009-2010, Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Redmond, WA 98052
byron@byronshutzjr.org
http://www.byronshutzjr.org/

Microsoft's self-powered TV remote, no batteries required

Microsoft's self-powered TV remote, no batteries required

The days of scouring the couch cushions for batteries may be numbered. Researchers from Microsoft's lab in Cambridge, England, have created a media remote control called "Peppermill" that converts the twisting motion required to use it into the energy needed to power it.  complete story

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

“Farewell to Chapple Gym” at Lake Washington High - Lake Washington School District

“Farewell to Chapple Gym” at Lake Washington High - Lake Washington School District:

"Kirkland, Wash. – Chapple Gymnasium at Lake Washington High School has been the site of many high school games, dances and other momentous events. It was even the site of Doug and Emmary Chapple’s wedding in 1993. The gymnasium was named for Chapple in 1992, when he retired from coaching. This year is the last for Chapple Gym since it will be demolished in May as part of the modernization of Lake Washington High School.

On February 5, one week before the last official basketball game in Chapple Gym, Lake Washington High School alumni and friends are invited to say “Farewell to Chapple Gym.” In addition to JV and Varsity Boys and Girls basketball games versus Bothell, there will be a chance for alumni to reconnect and to say hello to Doug Chapple. Doug will be honored between the girls’ Varsity game and the boys’ Varsity game, which begins about 8:00 p.m." read complete story

By Kathryn Reith
LWSD Director of Communications

COMMENT: THE CITY OF REDMOND "WANTS YOU!" So don't be shy!

COMMENT:   The City of Redmond is looking for new commissioners and citizen advisers - again!

At last count, they need four Arts Commissioners, two Parks and Trails Commissioners, one Planning Commissioner, one youth advocate for the Arts Commission, and a citizen advisor for SE Redmond Neighborhood.  So don't be shy! 

I happened to glance at the Sammamish Reporter (1/22) to read the following snippet from an article "Commissioners will shape future of Sammamish". 

"The city council went into an executive session behind closed doors to deliberate on which of the 14 candidates it would appoint to four vacancies." 

Holy!   How does Sammamish so successfully attract and empower their commissioners?  What are they doing that's so right?  What could Redmond be doing to stampede applicants to the Mayor's office?  Does the city need leadership training classes?   What's up? 

The front page headline of the Sammamish Reporter proclaimed "citizens mobilize for a stronger voice with city".  hmmm. Why are their citizens so engaged and active?   

If you want to apply for one of Redmond's nine vacancies, don't be shy, contact the Mayor John Marchione's office at mayor@redmond.gov.   He's the one who appoints the commissioners.

By Bob Yoder

DigiPen gets new campus, teaching kids game development

DigiPen gets new campus, teaching kids game development

DigiPen Institute of Technology, the Redmond college dedicated to training game developers, is about to get bigger.

The privately owned school is creating a new campus in a former Microsoft building on Willows Road in Redmond with more than 100,000 square feet of space. It's announcing the plan Friday, moving in the summer and starting classes there in the fall.

DigiPen is planning to use the new space to expand its degree programs and the science and technology education programs it offers to high school students in the region."   more

By Brier Dudley
Brier Dudley's Blog
Seattle Times Newspaper

Letter: School District should be happy with Juanita HS and not think of tearing it down.

Redmond Neighborhood Blog: Editorial: Three smart reasons to vote YES on L.W. School District levy and bond measures.

LETTER:  Anonymous said...

Proposition No. 3 on the February 9, 2010 ballot authorizes the Lake Washington School District to "modernize" Juanita High School. To me, "modernize" means to remodel, but to the District, "modernize" means to tear down and rebuild. We have been told that it would cost more to remodel than to rebuild. I find this hard to believe. When the economy was doing well, voters approved bond measures to replace the oldest schools and build new schools to ease overcrowding. At some point the District decided that the normal life of a school is 30-40 years and set up a schedule to replace all school buildings within the district. By the District's definition, Juanita High School, at age 39 is at the end of its useful life.

Juanita High School is located in Kirkland near Juanita Bay. It has two large buildings: a 129,000 sq.ft. school building and a 74,000 sq.ft. field house that contains a gym and a pool. Both buildings were constructed in 1971. The pool and the portable near the east side of the building may have some major maintenance issues, but otherwise, both main buildings appear to be in good condition. School districts around the country would love to have a 39-year-old building like Juanita High School and wouldn't think of tearing it down. When did we become so extravagant to think that JHS is too old and useless?

According to the District's "Capital Facilities Plan 2009-2014", Juanita High School has 52 standard classrooms and 8 portable classrooms that can hold 32 students each. Using 60 classrooms with 32 students per class, Juanita High School can accommodate 1920 students (although the District assumes utilization of each class at 70% to account for teacher planning areas.) Even with the teacher planning areas, JHS can hold 1350 students and that's more than enough room for the additional 300 ninth graders who will be included when the school is converted to the 9-12 grade model.

The main argument I've seen to justify tearing down Juanita High School is so that it will be as new as Redmond High School (2003) and Lake Washington High School (2011). Can we keep spending and building so that everyone is going to a new school? Did the last decade with our "building boom" condition us to believe that we had to tear down and rebuild because everything wasn't brand new or the configuration wasn't quite right? We need to see some more creative problem-solving from the District that doesn't automatically require tear-downs.

I do support Propositions 1 & 2, but I cannot justify approving $234,000,000 for Proposition 3, most of which will be spent to destroy a perfectly good building and then rebuild it. I will be voting: Prop1:YES, Prop2:YES, Prop3:NO

By Anonymous
February 1, 2010 11:14 AM