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Lake Washington "Community Truancy Boards" focus on chronic absenteeism

Cyndi Campbell (RHS,) Sandy Hearn (LWHS,) Marcia Chapman (JHS) Deanna Wells (EHS) 

Truancy is a big problem for all schools across the State so our legislatures passed a law requiring confidential "Truancy Boards" for all high schools by next year.  The Lake Washington School District is ahead of the game; late last year they took applications from the community and formed two boards -- one for Juanita/LW High and one for Redmond High/Eastside.

About twenty community members were selected to participate.  High school attendance coordinators Cyndi, Sandy, Marcia and Deanna trained us. Our job is mostly to 1) be good listeners, 2) help truant students and their parents open up, 3) and help the attendance coordinators customize solutions.  Board sessions are emotional. I learned besides being a good listener, objectivity is key.

The basic criteria for truancy is:  1) after 1 or 2 unexcused absences a conference is set up with the parents. 2) after 5 unexcused absences in a calendar month a "conference contract" is prepared and the attendance coordinators may file a petition with the juvenile court. 3) after 7 unexcused absences in a calendar month or 10 in a year the coordinators file a petition against the parent, the student, or both;  this is when the Board steps in.  

The Board process is straight forward. First we spend 15 minutes listening to the student, then about 20 minutes with the parents;  then the Board meets alone to prepare an "action plan." and finally both student and parents meet together with the Board to review the plan. (e.g. online courses and other educational plans, behavioral health counselling, etc.) A follow-up meeting is scheduled for the next month. The attendance coordinators are highly skilled and pretty much run the show.

  Bob Yoder, truancy board member  


 Seahawk's Jermaine Kearse encourages parents to make sure their students attend so that they 

can succeed in school. For more resources on increasing attendance, visit the OSPI Attendance website

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Redmond Kiwanis "Adopt A Road" Clean-up

(l-r) Dan Vache' (Service projects,)  Hank Myers, Pat Vache' (President,) Ken Ormiston (Board member/Membership,) Byron Shutz (Vice President/Fundraising) Arnie Tomac, Roger Tripanier, David Carson (Board member) Photo credit/Bob Yoder

Redmond Kiwanis "Adopt A Road" Clean-up of the Redmond Central Connector 

"With a cold morning start the sun came out and we cleaned the Connector of trash and plenty of cigarette butts!  The donuts (donated by QFC) were calorie free, bananas and citrus in their prime state of ripeness, the juice sweet and the coffee....well it was warm! We had good participation and even better camaraderie with a hearty thanks to the February Clean-up Crew for their time donated to our community."

  - Dan Vache'

    Redmond Kiwanis Club

Are you interested in joining Redmond Kiwanis?  E-mail  Ken Ormiston  at membership@redmondkiwaniswa.org

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A Sammamish River bird

Credit/ John Reinke

What's this bird?

It's a "Piebald Robin"

Credit/ John Reinke

John Reinke - 

This  piebald robin was close to the Opportunity Building.  I took the photo printouts to tonight's Eastside Audubon meeting, and showed them to the group of 50-55 who were present.  I asked if anyone had ever seen one (meaning specifically a piebald robin).  To my surprise, 3 or 4 persons said they had.  

One woman told me she had seen a piebald chickadee at her feeder.  Another woman said she'd seen a piebald towhee.  And yet another woman said she'd seen a piebald Oregon junco.

I first heard the word "piebald" as a child in reference to horses, whose coloration was referred to as "piebald".  Nowadays they might be more commonly be referred to as "pinto" horses.  A piebald robin would be more scientifically referred to as a "leucistic" robin. (See more about leucism below.)

Here is some info about the term "piebald", taken for the Wikipedia entry for that term:

1) The word "piebald" originates from a combination of "pie," from "magpie," and "bald", meaning "white patch" or spot.^[1] The reference is to the distinctive black-and white plumage of the magpie.^[2]

Credit/ John Reinke

2)The bald eagle derives its name from the word "piebald" in reference to the contrast of its white head and tail with dark body.

3) Many other animal species may also be "pied" or piebald including, but not limited to, squirrels and birds. Snakes, especially ball pythons and corn snakes, may also exhibit seemingly varying patches of completely pigmentless scales along with patches of pigmented scales. 

4) The underlying genetic cause is related to a condition known as leucism.

5) Leucism  is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes.^[1] Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin.

Finally, here is a link to a Seattle Times story about piebald deer that was published on August 2, 2015:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/rare-piebald-blacktail-deer-fawns-spotted-in-clallam-county/

Accompanying the article is an excellent photo of a piebald deer.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE?  (comment below)

Arts-minded residents speak up

A fascinating city meeting took place at VALA Arts this Wednesday to get feedback from residents on the proposed Community Centers.  A diverse group attended, most notably Siri Bliesner LWSD director, Brian Carter of "4-Culture,"  Jane Wither, Vice-Chair of the Redmond Arts and Culture commission, Tanika Kumar Padhye, finalist for the city council appointment, Rosemary Ives, and Latha Anandamela (past Arts commissioner.)  We broke up in small groups to discuss the Centers.

Bear Creek student art on display at VALA

In my group we decided the re-purposing of Old Redmond Schoolhouse (ORSCC) was a top priority.   Siri took notes throughout our discussion; she indicated the district was very interested in trying to meet our needs! Siri had special interest in demographics. Most agreed the Center was highly used.  Brian Carter had interest in finding space for the Redmond Historical Society and education classes.  Latha said many East Indians are entrepreneurs and incubator space is needed. Several cried out for day care space. Of course, most of us wanted space for arts, not just digital arts, and some wanted a performance center.  I want partnerships for economy of scale so these centers will be affordable to all!

Jane Wither moderated our group.  She did a great job opening our eyes to possible locations for the centers, particularly for art and a performance center.  In four years light rail will come to Overlake and it's anticipated the Overlake Urban Center will be the most populated "neighborhood" in our city. I think Overlake is a good location for a performance center.  Jane mentioned developers might agree to install art on the lower floors of their buildings if they were given incentives to "build up."  A performance center with art could be a strong "pull" of visitors to Redmond, bringing economic vitality.  And, of course it would be nice to have more art space for us.

My wife participated in a different group.  She learned from "the tall lady," Carolyn Hope that LWSD was meeting with the city in March to discuss plans for ORSCC.  She thought VALA looked like a private club from the outside "scaring" people away.  Marlene Katz, the new VALA Manager told us they'll be putting in a few tables and chairs to make it look more inviting.

Bob

Letter: Local neighbors contest building of mosque

Minaret (internet)

by Eugene Z.

Those of Redmond residents that follow the city development beat might remember the 2014 project to build a mosque across from Microsoft campus on 51st Street. Back in 2014, I and other residents brought up multiple concerns and the city organized community meetings to gather the comments (see 

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/proposed-redmond-mosque-faces-opposition-over-growth/ for coverage).

Fast forward to 2017, and the application to build 22,657 sq. ft. community complex at 15252 NE 51st Street is back! The complex will include a mosque prayer hall, classrooms, kitchen, assembly hall and parsonage and will provide 36 parking stalls.

The city staff is confident that all questions are answered (please see the city document with answers at http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=200548) and the project is ready to be approved.

Unfortunately, the majority of the neighborhood residents do not believe that in two years since our engagement neither the city or the applicant addressed our concerns as evident from the answers given by the city and the lack of changes to the project.

A sign of the times

Redmond Way

Open for Business on Redmond Way 

Community invited to Juanita High School project open house

This LWSD YouTube clip was released in 2016 explaining the need for a new Juanita High.  

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is “Building on Success.” (video) That’s the district’s plan to build schools and to provide quality learning environments. It is based on a set of recommendations  from a community-based Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force. An April 2016 bond measure funds the first set of projects in that plan. One of those projects is to rebuild and enlarge Juanita High School to accommodate 500 more students.

Community members are invited to join LWSD staff for an update on the project. Plans to house classes during the construction will be covered. The meeting is scheduled for:

March 1, 2017, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Juanita High School
10601 N.E. 132^nd Street, Kirkland, 98034

An open house format is planned. Posters that illustrate various aspects of the project will be set out around the room. LWSD staff and architects will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Updated design plans for the school incorporate community feedback gathered in September 2016 and the work of the School Construction Input Team (SCIT). The SCIT is comprised of parent, staff and community representatives; a student; and principal Gary Moed. They met four times with architects to develop values and design goals. They considered the many factors that make an excellent learning environment for students.

VALA Art: "The Great Fisherman"

A Gaul Culley
"The Great Fisherman"
Mixed Meida - Collage
$1200 each panel

The City is holding a meeting at VALA  this Wednesday, 2/22 at 6:30 to seek input on what to do with the Hartman Pool, ORSCC, the Teen Center, and Senior Center.  The public is encouraged to come.

Blood Drive! - Redmond Presbyterian Church

BLOOD DRIVE MON., FEBRUARY  27TH 1-7PM (BREAK 3-3:45pm)

REDMOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (across from Redmond Jr. High) will be hosting a drive on Monday, February 27th between 1-7pm.  YOU TOO, can save a life! 

Your donation can help 3 people because they can use it whole or subdivide into plasma, platelets and red blood cells.  To meet the needs of the 90 hospitals/ medical facilities that Bloodworks supplies 1000 donors need to offer to donate every day.  Walk-ins are welcome. Or Call  206-605-1933 to save your time.  

Updated: Couplet construction - Junction of Cleveland and Redmond Way

Nice the storm drain (lower right) is fairly well protected with construction cloth.  Watch the bicyclist - a rare sight to see on Redmond Way.  How long do you think our corner Subway will be around?  

Updated: A flashback to Councilmember Richard Cole

UPDATED, 3/4 Podcast of 13 candidates interviewing for Council Position #4 is enlightening

UPDATE:  10/2/17  Tanika Padyea was appointed to Council.  Ms. Rodriguez  was a runner-up and was appointed to the Planning Commission,  Roy Captain was a runner-up and lost in the Primary to Fields and Schutz, Sherri Nichols interviewed for the open seat but didn't make the finals.



Thirteen candidates were interviewed by City Council for Position #4 last Saturday.  The position was vacated owing to Ms. Kim Allen's retirement on January 31st, 2017.  Council now has to appoint a replacement.  These are screening interviews to pick finalists.  The interviewing took place at City Hall, during a Special Meeting that was open to the public. For objectivity and under City Clerk guidance, the order of interviews and question topics were randomly selected.  President Hank Margeson did a masterful job developing this selection process.

In my opinion, in order of  interviews, Amy Mayes (1:23) Stephanie Rodriguez (1:38)  Tracy Sullivan Prock and A.J. Taylor could be the finalist picks.  The woman candidates are favored owing to a serious gender imbalance.

Ms. Rodriguez is a strong contender and I'm guessing she'll be "the chosen one." Stephanie appeared to get the most interview time. She's smart (Mr. Stilin's requirement.)  She's a Harvard graduate (2001) in history and economics with a law degree from Seattle University. IMO, her only apparent weakness is a dearth of passion for the environment.  She's pro-growth..

Stephanie's a step-mom with two boys that play basketball.  One of her boys graduated from Redmond High.  She was born at Overlake Hospital but spent most of her childhood in the Caribbean.

Her work at Microsoft "blends finance with marketing"and she has a worldly perspective from work in international investor relations. She's "worked on a multi-million dollar budget" at Microsoft...so is budget ready. I especially like she considers "conflict" as healthy; perhaps Council would have more deliberation on the Dias.  Her focus is "thinking beyond."  Though long range planning appears her interest and strength this may distract her from attention to the neighborhoods.

It's important to note that with this podcast Mr. Mayor can listen in to all the interviews putting him in a position to advise Council before their final interviews.  I don't see a thing wrong with this since he has to work and get-along with the appointment.  

Bob, opinion

My earlier interview report 

Brainstorming the repurposing of "Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center"

Credit, LWSD

The City is losing the lease on the old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (ORSCC) in 2018 which may displace 48,000 annual visitors; while the district will regain 40,000 square feet -- only some of it will be used for pre-school classes.   

The School district specifically states on their website that space is needed for 10 pre-school classes, a gym, and cafeteria/commons.  Storage, lockers, ramps and bathrooms designed for special needs students will also be needed. They may want a lobby, who knows what else.  

The City is dying for feedback on our community centers, in particular ORSCC.  So upon request by city staff I volunteered to dig in and help with a blog story. I was ignorant of ORSCC activities and how the building was laid out, so I toured it three times last week and studied their website:

Some of my ideas on how the City can create space for LWSD needs:    

• Move the Parks and Recreation administrative offices to City Hall for a lobby? 

• For the Classes:  Eliminate "weddings, auctions, memorials, dances, meetings, birthdays and small exercise classes" from the 3,174 square foot auditorium.  In anticipation of rapid Redmond Historical Society membership growth, move the society's eight, 3-hour Saturday Speaker Programs  to the higher capacity Emerald Heights or RHS "Performing Arts Center" auditoriums. Should rapid membership growth be unlikely, the 4 spacious meeting rooms downstairs might work for the pre-school classes, and the Historical Society could continue to use the auditorium.   

• For the Gym & cafeteria/commons:  Eliminate the stand-alone exercise room. Membership at the Eastside Gym is only $18/month and it's open seven days a week at most hours.  Eliminate 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Jazzercise and other loud school-time activities from the gym.   

Hopefully, by creating the above space, the District will allow the City to:

• Use the gym for weekend sports activities, weekday evening sports, 6 a.m. and 5:30 p.m Jazzercise.    
• Temporarily keep the Redmond Historical Society office and museum in the Center and move it to the Justice White Building at a later date.     
• Keep the "Adoptive Recreation and Inclusion" special needs members in the Center; perhaps the HERO House could accommodate the older autistic members.
• Keep the Iqra Academy Islamic Pre-School  
• Keep the Tasveer non-profit office (Check out their exciting Environmental Festival event scheduled for Feb. 18-19!);   .  
• Keep the 4 (or 8) spacious upstairs rooms for District, City and Community meeting spaces. e.g. day care, cultural centers, visual & digital arts, private parties, public meetings, churches, non-profits. 
• Keep the clay studio for elementary-aged art classes and community "throwing."  
• Build a downstairs community cafeteria and gathering place, security office and social-needs facility.

I hope the District and City can salvage the "public works" art.

Bob, opinion

Upcoming community conversations about the Center (All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.)

• Tuesday, Feb. 21, Rose Hill Middle School
• Wednesday, Feb. 22, VALA at Redmond Town Center

Demolition of the Claim Jumper at RTC is underway

At a recent Council meeting, CM John Stilin said the demolition of Claim Jumper was underway.  It will be replaced by the "Archer Hote.l"  Mr. Stilin said it will be one of only four "boutique hotels" of its kind in the nation.  The hotel will be 7-stories, with parking on the first floor.  Parking can't be underground owing to the aquifer.   
Is it remotely  possible this event is the genesis of Redmond Town Center gentrification?  

Archer Hotel

Address: 7210 - 164th Ave NE
Project Type and Number: Site Plan Entitlement-LAND-2015-01974
Click on "Critical Areas" for a complete description.

Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart

Initial Submittal
Site Plan
Tree Preservation Plan
​
Additional Project Notices SEPA-2016-00779, Critical Areas, Cultural, Geotechnical, Traffic

Native American Settlement at Bear Creek Site -- An informational meeting.

Credit:  City of Redmond

WHEN:      February 25, 2017 – 11:00 am -1:00 pm

WHERE:    Western Most Overlook of the Lower Bear Creek Project

Join project director Dr. Robert Kopperl at the edge of the restoration area overlooking the site to find out more about the study and what we have learned from it, and about the broader picture of the past as seen in our archaeological heritage. 

On Saturday, February 25, 2017, Dr. Kopperl will be on-hand to informally provide information about the Bear Creek site, answer questions about the project, and any other questions you may have about Washington State’s shared archaeological heritage. He will be at the new overlook of the Lower Bear Creek habitat restoration area along the Bear Creek recreational trail (west of World Market) between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Parking is available at the Redmond Town Center shopping mall lots across Bear Creek Parkway from the recreational trail and presentation location. 

City Council Interviews Candidates For Vacated Seat

(l-r) Hank Margeson, Angela Birney, Brian Shutz, John Stilin, David Carson. Hank Myers is behind Carson.
Stephanie Rodriguez is in blue.

UPDATED:  Council worked from 1:00 - 5:30 on Saturday screening 13 candidates applying for Council Position #4, vacated by Ms. Kim Allen. Of the few screening interviews I watched, a couple of my favorites were A.J. Taylor and Amy Mayes.  .

A.J. is a lawyer at Microsoft. (No lawyers now on Council)  He's very smart and with big heart.  He demonstrated strong leadership skills.  A.J.'s lived in Redmond for 12 years -- two children -- and didn't have to study the city website to know what was going on.  A.J." is civicly minded, a proud member of the Redmond Rotary.  I chatted with him before his interview; he is very personable.

I was very impressed with Amy Mayes, a City Arts Commissioner.  Her passion is creating affordable housing choices for those in the lower-paying service industries. Amy was well prepared, succinct, with a good grasp of City workings.  When asked, she said her strengths were: "loyalty, strength and calm."

I hope A.J. and Amy will be finalists for the public Interviews on March 7th.

During one of the interviews CM Hank Myers mentioned their responsibility to the Open Public Meetings Act.  He said council members sometimes meet for dinner before their business meetings for team-building purposes.  They also use a "3-touch" process for consensus building, wherein all items of importance are discussed at committee meetings, study sessions, and business meetings. CM David Carson said pretty much everything "gets ironed out" by then.  6-1 and 5-2 votes are indeed very rare. The City Clerk would probably have to dust an inch off her records to find a 4-3.

According to President Hank Margeson, it's been nine years since Council's had to make a Councilmember appointment....Hank Myers.  Mr. Margeson did a superlative job putting the process in place and building public trust.

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, 2/16

I didn't watch Paige Norman interview or anyone else I know.  Paige is the founder of "Education Hill Neighborhood Association" and writes a blog "PaigesPrattle."   She posted a thorough report of the meeting, including names of those interviewed and a schedule for future meetings.

Brainstorming Version 4.0: Renovation of the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center

The City is losing the lease on the old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (ORSCC) in 2018, which may displace 48,000 annual visitors; while the district will regain 40,000 square feet -- some of it to be used for pre-school classes.   

The District specifically states on their website that space is needed for 10 pre-school classes, a gym, and cafeteria/commons.  Storage, lockers, ramps and bathrooms designed for special needs students will also be needed. They may want a lobby, who knows what else.  

The City is dying for feedback on our community centers and ORSCC in particular.  I volunteered to dig in and help.  But, I was ignorant of ORSCC activities and how the building was laid out, so I toured it three times last week to get a feel:   

Some ideas on how the City can create space for LWSD needs:

PUBLIC MEETING, Council Candidate Interviews

Hank Margeson

City Council "Committee of the Whole" will conduct interviews of Council Candidates for Ms. Kim Allen's Vacant Position #4; term ending 12/31/2017

City Council Special Meeting
Council Chambers, City Hall
Saturday, February 11th
1 p.m.


"We execute the process in as public a way possible at every step along the way."
   --Council President Hank Margeson, 1/11/2017