LETTER: Education Hill Shooting - What can we do?

The city is hosting a neighborhood meeting on Thursday evening, March 1, 6:30 p.m., Redmond City Hall.  Your questions and needs for public safety funding will be addressed.  425-556-2415

Paige with grandchildren

LETTER:  I live in what used to be a quiet family neighborhood. Kids played in the street, parents walked their kids to school, walked their dogs, chatted on street corners and waved hello as they passed. We knew the cars that belonged and the cars that didn’t. We watched out for neighbors and strangers and each other.

All those things still happen on a daily basis around here: kids and parents slide down a hill during snow storms, neighbors take each other dinner or call to check in, strange cars are noted, unknown faces are searched and memorized. But there’s an edge to all of it now. Our innocence has been lost, thrown away, departed.

Our quiet family street with children and pets and an occasional coyote or raccoon has transformed into an ongoing episode of COPS: Redmond. Car prowls and thefts; speeding cars with loud engines and louder music at all hours of the day and night, Police and aid cars at least once a month, and now, a gunshot and a fatality in our once peaceful neighborhood. Lives and peace and trust and families shattered.

A non-resident owner, underage inhabitants and visitors and questionable activities have taken place months, even years now. Neighbors have called regarding thefts, car break-ins and suspicious activities. What can we do?  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 >>

Special Benefit concert for Hopelink

Contact:  Jerry Smith,  425-736-8659
jerrymsmith@microsoft.com

You are invited..

Special Benefit concert for HopeLink 

"The Total Experience Gospel Choir"

Saturday afternoon, 3 p.m. February 25th

Redmond United Methodist Church—right across from

the Old Redmond School House Community Center

Redmond United Methodist Church

16540 NE 80th Street

Our experience in 2009 was truly a "total experience"...uplifitng, inspiring, joyously upbeat!   
  - Pam and Bob 

Community activists take City of Redmond to court to enforce long-standing tree ordinance

UPDATED:  A legal fight over Redmond's Group Health Overlake Village is brewing from the City waiving a long-standing tree retention ordinance.   "Citizens and Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond" ("Sustainable Redmond") of which Mayor Emeritus Ives is a member, and two neighborhoods, are suing the City and  the Group Health landowner for a 100% clear-cut of the 28-acre site.  Removal of all trees on the site, including 65 extra-large trees over 30.25 inches in diameter are slated to be cleared.  The diameter on one "Landmark Tree" is estimated to be over 50 inches, and 250 years old.  Group Health's arborists claimed the trees were dangerous and will fall over in wind storms.   City associate planner Lisk said the eleven significant trees in the "park" area will be removed and the remaining "parkland" will be hydroseeded.

City council voted 6-1 (Kim Allen) to waive the long-standing 35% tree retention ordinance.  At least four councilmembers justified the tree ordinance Exception by referencing requirements of the Growth Management Act.   Ive's showed council a city map of all the buildings in Overlake that could absorb the City's density requirements.

Several stakeholders were quoted in a February 12, 2012 online Seattle Times article by Keith Irvine, as follows:    Mayor John Marchione justified 100% tree removal saying:  Read More >>

UPDATED: Education Hill shooting update: Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, CSI, Redmond police scouring crime scene

 The crime scene is taped off - CSI agent with crime box resting on sedan -
 police and CSI investigate front door area

This case is closed.  A gun was fired by accident, the bullet went through a wall and hit a person in another room.  9/2012

Photo was taken around 1:50PM this afternoon (2/12).  Redmond Police Lt. Charles Gorman  was fielding questions from about 3-4 TV crews.  Helicopters flying by.   Gorman said " about 10 people were gathering or partying," allegedly last night and into the morning.  A "person of interest" has been interviewed by detectives

Lots of cars are parked on the road with groups of neighbors watching the State Patrol Crime lab, CSI, and Redmond Police comb the site.  The front yard was littered with broken evergreen tree branches from January storm. I'll visit the scene later today to post a video clip and publish additional news.

Neighborhood Map:  http://g.co/maps/w5g3a
Curb address:  16804 NE 97th Street


Read neighbor comment posted below this story...

By Bob Yoder
Photo,  Yoder

King County Library System is the busiest in nation - Redmond Library thanks community, taxpayers

Bob:  Thank you again for publishing and thank you for voting for the last levy! I think it's really important for everyone to understand that King County Library System (KCLS) is funded through property tax revenues, and when needed, capital improvement bonds.

We can't thank our community enough for passing the levy lift in February 2010, despite the economic conditions. It was a vote of support for the valuable services that the library provides. The KCLS Foundation and each library's Friends groups also provide grants and donations for many programs that the library system offers. So, a special thanks goes to everyone that buys donated books from their local Friends as well.

In 2010, KCLS surpassed the busiest library in the U.S. (Queens NY) with 22.4 million items checked out. Libraries from all over the world visit KCLS to see the Preston Distribution Center and learn about their operations. In 2011, King County Library System was honored as the Library of the Year by the Gale/Library Journal.

We are also very proud of the Redmond branch, it's almost always the second busiest library in terms of circulation month over month. The staff and volunteers are amazing and the programming offered every month is phenomenal. Hopefully you are able to attend events held there on occassion!

Regards,

Jaime Weber
Trustee, Redmond Library
The board meets on the first Wednesday every month at 7:00 pm at the Redmond Library. The public is invited to attend.

UPDATED: Councilmember Pat Vache' responds to neighborhood tree hazard

Sidewalk roped off from a tree hanging on wires

UPDATED:  In late January, mothers walked their children down this hill to school, many unaware of the blue spruce leaning over their heads, balanced on utility lines.

Yes, the third wave of our January snow, ice and rain storm was hard on neighborhoods.  It took four days to close this sidewalk on Education Hill and seven days to remove the tree hazard.  Fortunately, neighbors pressed; and no one was hurt.

City and utility companies were slow to respond, despite the imminent danger.   Various distraught neighbors called 911, the mayor's office and utility companies.  Public Works identified the wires as "harmless phone lines" owned by Comcast saying, "it is their responsibility to remove the tree."   Two Pubic Works employees and a police officer looked it over and "walked on," according to an Education Hill resident, John.
 

 Frustrated and upset, John emailed city councilman and Ombudsman Pat Vache' on January 31,   John wrote Pat, "I cannot believe how hard it's been to get Redmond's attention on this."  (John had called 911 twice, PSE and several neighbors on January 27.)  Another neighbor called Comcast and walked them to the site.  The tree was finally removed February 2 after city Ombudsman-of-the-month Pat Vache' stepped in and had the sidewalk barriers installed.  Mr. Vache' went out of his way to help us.  Read More >>

The goose that flew 2,000 miles to Redmond, WA.

Yukon Delta Cackling goose with neck band '@04' grazing
along the Sammamish River by Leary Way

The goose that flew 2,000 miles to Redmond, WA.

By John Reinke
Redmond, WA.

On January 16, I came across a huge flock of Canada and Cackling geese just a few hundred yards southeast of Redmond's Leary Way Bridge over the Sammamish River. It was the day after our snowstorm, and they were all busy munching on grass underneath the snow and making geese small talk.

The different sizes and coloration patterns of the geese confirmed the presence of both species. (Cackling geese are smaller than Canada geese, which they closely resemble.)  Read More >>

Part Two: History of Growth Management in Redmond

The Lake Washington School District's proposed STEM School is currently being held up by two Appeals.  One of the Appeals is related to the Growth Management Act  and the location of the STEM School outside of the Urban Growth Boundary.  Click to enlarge Susan's map. B.Y.

History of Growth Management in Redmond, WA. 

By Susan Wilkins
Redmond Resident, Parent, and PTSA volunteer

In response to widespread growth and sprawl in the state, especially in Western Washington, the legislature passed the Growth Management Act in 1990 that created areas where significant urban growth would be concentrated, leaving large areas of rural and forestland undeveloped.

Urban Growth Boundary lines were drawn around cities and parts of the county that were already developed and populated. Urban services were to be concentrated inside the urban growth area in order to provide the most benefit to the majority of the population at the lowest possible cost. Housing developments that could be built anywhere in King County were suddenly only allowed inside the urban growth boundary. Read More >>

Naomi "Nao" Hardy

Our Founder & Guiding Light:
Naomi Jean Hardy

July 3, 1945 ~ January 16, 2012

The Historical Society lost its founder and Redmond lost its most passionate citizen. Below are words written by Nao’s family, followed on other pages by reflections from board members and a proclamation issued by the City. 

Naomi “Nao” Hardy passed away on January 16th, 2012, after a short battle with lung cancer. Nao is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jerry, her children Natalie and Jeffrey, and her grandchildren Benjamin and Elizabeth.

Naomi was an accomplished writer. She published a mystery novel, wrote humorous editorials for several newspapers and had her poetry recognized in contests and magazines.

In 1999 she founded The Redmond Historical Society, and for more than a decade she worked tirelessly to preserve, document and share the history of Redmond. Since its inception, the organization has grown to become one of the largest and most active civic organizations in the city. Nao wrote the book “Redmond Reflections: From Settlers to Software.”

Nao will also be remembered for her wit, smarts, and collections. She collected rocks, bears, tins, green glass, hats and much more. She was an old soul who died too young.

Love you Mom ~ Natalie

Read Mayor John Marchione's Proclamation. Read More >>

"Pump House", by Sigmunde Potgieter

a Maple falls for Sigmunde's Pump House

Sigmunde Potgieter lives on Northeast Education Hill on a parcel filled with trees, deer, bobcat and critters.  She loves to photograph nature and took this picture during our January storm.  

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Receives Over $135,000 to jump start ESL students

Kirkland campus borders Redmond

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Receives Over $135,000

To Give ESL Students a Jump Start to the Workforce

Kirkland, Wash.:  Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) recently received more than $135,000 in grants toward its Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program. Designed to give English as a second language (ESL) students a jump start into their technical and professional education...  Read More >>

Evergreen Hospital wins "Distinguished Hospital Award" fourth year in a row.

Evergreen Community Hospital

2012 Distinguished Hospital Award

HealthGrades, the nation's leading provider of independent hospital ratings, has named Evergreen Hospital a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence for 2012.

Evergreen is the only hospital in Washington State to be recognized with the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for the past four consecutive years - 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Read More >>

LWSD awarded $400,000 grant for STEM School curriculum development

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. This grant will support the development of curriculum for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School that is scheduled to open in fall 2012. STEM school will draw students from throughout the district, as one of its Choice schools.  Read More >>

School Resource Officer Chapin loss mourned by Police, Eastlake High and Inglewood JH

Sammamish Police and the students and staff at both Eastlake High School and Inglewood Junior HIgh are mourning the loss of Stan Chapin, the school resource officer for both schools. The Sammamish Police Department announced that Chapin, 61, died in his sleep last night. Chapin had been the resource officer at Eastlake and Inglewood Junior High for the last 12 years and had been with the King County Sheriff’s Office for more than 40 years. Just last month, the city named Chapin the Sammamish Police Department’s “Officer of the Year” for 2011.  Read More >>

Local author presents at "Friends of Redmond Library" Annual Meeting

Hello Bob,

Louise Marley, local author

I'm a member of the City of Redmond's Library Board of Trustees. I'm also the liaison between that Board and the "Friends of the Redmond Library."  Plus, I live on Education Hill and peruse your blog to stay on top of local happenings in my area!

The Friends Annual Meeting is coming up on February 16, 7:00 p.m. we would be grateful if you were able to post a notice about it on your blog.  At the meeting, local author, Louise Marley will share her story and evolution from the world of opera to award winning Science Fiction and Fantasy. She has written fifteen books. Her latest, The Brahms Deception, was released in August 2011.

You can find the Board of Trustees blog post with all the details here: http://redmondlibrary.blogspot.com/2012/01/friends-of-redmond-library-annual.html

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you in advance if you are also able to publish.

Regards,
 
Jaime Weber
City of Redmond's Library Board of Trustees
 
The Redmond Library Board of Trustees meets on the first Wednesday every month at 7:00 pm at the Redmond Library. The public is invited to attend.

LETTER: Charter Public Schools focus on the student, House Bill pending

Nine states without charter school laws are:  Kentucky, Alabama, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

 from the desk of State Senator Rodney Tom...

LETTER:  Thank you so much for writing with regards to your support of charter schools. As the prime sponsor of the legislation, I couldn't agree with you more with regards to the need for charter schools. In its essence it's a pretty simple bill, and we've been very clear from the onset that it's not meant to solve all the problems in our education system. It's simply another option to allow families, especially those in persistently failing schools, to ensure that their children receive a world-class education here in Washington State.

The veracity of the debate is more a sign of how those who have an interest in the status quo will fight to the bitter end to maintain their monopoly on an education system under the premise that one size fits all. This is totally counter to the societal direction of product customization around the needs of each individual customer - in this case, the student. I think it is also a tale tell sign that our education system here in Olympia is still centered completely around the adults in the system instead of being a student centric model where the needs of the students are our paramount concerns.

To me this is much more than...Read More >>

Redmond High School PTSA

School year 2011-2012

Please Take the Transition Survey (http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e5c9rb70gva1wps6/start)

Dear 8th and 9th grade parents,

Redmond High School PTSA would like to welcome you to the Redmond High School community. We have prepared a survey to help us learn the concerns and questions you have about your student moving up to the high school. We plan to publish responses to questions posed in a FAQ format on the Transition page of our website (http://www.redmondhsptsa.org/) . Additionally, RHS PTSA is planning a parent forum in March to follow up on the survey and to help answers other questions that you may have.

Sincerely,

RHS PTSA Board of Directors

'LWSD's First Assignment for 2012' - Conduct a facilities inventory and audit of classroom space, with Superintendent oversight

Is this is a classroom?  Can it be a classroom?   (LWSD photo)

OPINION:  LWSD’S FIRST ASSIGNMENT FOR 2012 – Do a facilties inventory and find out how much classroom space the school district really has. 

By Susan Wilkins
Redmond, WA.

UPDATED:  How much space does the Lake Washington School District have at its 31 elementary, 12 junior high and 8 high schools? How many classrooms are there and how many students can each school hold? How many students can all of the district’s schools hold? These are important questions considering we were just asked to spend $65,000,000 to build additional space for high school students.  Superintendent oversight is required.

The answers to these questions about classroom space can be found on page 24 in the district’s “Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan 2011-2016.” (This document can be found at http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/For-The-Community/Construction/Capital-Facility-Plan.pdf ) On a single page, the district counts all the classrooms in all the schools and then multiplies by the number of students each classroom can hold and then figures out the total capacity of the district’s facilities.
The trouble with this accounting system is that it is too simple. It assumes that if a classroom is used for an activity other than regular classroom teaching, it should not be counted in the inventory. If a classroom is used for Music, Computers, Art, ELL, preschool or even storage, it is not included in the total number of classrooms in a school.

Let’s look at Rockwell Elementary... Read More >>

McKenna, Facebook and spam; $90K tech salaries

 

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna is putting the resources and expertise of his office behind a problem that is plaguing social media giant Facebook: spam that is targeting Facebook members.


This week: McKenna, Facebook and spam; $90K tech salaries:

Feisty fights over online spam, rising tech salaries, Apple earnings and a few major deals dominated the news this week.

Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna has teamed up with Facebook to fight spam that targets Facebook uses -- a.k.a. clickjacking -- by lobbing suits against Adscend Media LLC, a Delaware-based online ad network.  Read More >>

Source: TechFlash.com
Photo:  PSBJ photo/Anthony Bolante

Redmond and Kirkland councilmembers volunteer to count unsheltered homeless

(l-r) John Stilin (red), David Carson, Penny Sweet, Hank Margeson, Pat Vache' (red), Hank Myers, Toby Nixon (back)

"Last night was the "One Night Count" where the community goes out and counts how many homeless people we have in our cities so that we can raise awareness of the problem of homelessness. Hank and others went out in the middle of the night to do this, so proud of all of them."
   -- Patti Margeson

These Redmond/Kirkland volunteers are all city councilmembers.  Penny Sweet and Toby Nixon are from Kirkland.  John Stilin, David Carson, Hank Margeson (V.P.)  Pat Vache' (Pres.), Hank Myers are from Redmond.  Thank you for your service to our community councilmembers!!

2012 Results for the Eastside:  138 unsheltered homeless.  Of those, 52 were found inside cars and trucks.

'Sustainable Redmond' Files Petition with Superior Court on Group Health Clear-cut Decision

Group Health 28-acre site to be clear-cut

January 25, 2012

Sustainable Redmond Files Land Use Petition

Redmond, WA – On January 24, Citizens and Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond filed a land use petition in King County Superior Court, seeking review of the City of Redmond’s decision to approve Group Health’s request to clear cut a 28-acre urban forest within the Overlake neighborhood so as to facilitate the development of a master planned mixed use development. This includes 65 landmark trees, estimated to be 150 to 250 years old, and 985 significant trees, up to 150 years old. Sustainable Redmond was joined in the appeal by Friends at Overlake Village, Villa Marina Condominium Association, and Rosemarie Ives, former mayor of Redmond, 1992-2007. In support of the appeal are the Eastside Audubon Society, Sherwood Forest Community Club (a nearby Bellevue neighborhood), and Techies for Trees (workers in the Overlake neighborhood).

Members from Sustainable Redmond, along with many local citizens and several groups, had urged the Council to reconsider the Group Health Overlake Village development agreement at public hearings in November and December. On December 13, the City Council approved, 6 to 1, the Group Health Overlake Village Master Plan and Development Agreement, with councilmember Allen dissenting.

While Sustainable Redmond supports transit-oriented development, Read More >>

UPDATED OPINION: Citizen claims actions by AWR industry are not environmentally insignificant

AWR Storm water pond  connects to Evans Creek. (2006)

My following public comment was submitted to the City, to protest approval of an environmental land use action on Redmond's polluting AWR industry

Public comments for or against this action (SEPA determination) are due to the city by 2/6/2012.  Send your Comment to city planner Kelsey Johnson  kjohnson@redmond.gov

 Dear City of Redmond,

I disagree with your determination that "All Wood Recycling" (AWR) proposal (L110009) is non-significant to our environment as referenced to the State Environmental Policy Act.   And, I ask you not  approve this environmental action favoring AWR  

Evans Creek banks enclosed
by impervious concrete
 paving. (click to enlarge)

This industrial proposal is environmentally significant owing to the location of AWR over our city aquifer. City staff publicly warned Council late last year that contaminates are leaking into the Redmond aquifer and threatening our valuable drinking water resource. AWR "recycles" hazardous waste-concrete, chemically treated wood products and other toxic materials, including sewage which remains un-piped and unconnected to the City.  Heavy machinery and trucks drip hydrolic fluids into the soils.  In some places the water aquifer is less than 6 feet from the surface so it's a short journey for their waste and toxins to enter our water supply.

Most of the ground surfaces in AWR are impervious owing to compacting of soils by vehicular use, clogged or removed stormwater pond systems, and paved roadway and work areas. Thus, most AWR stormwater is untreated, toxic and washes into Evans Creek, stressed creek banks (photo), underground streams and adjacent commercial sites.  AWR proposes one vault and one stormwater pond to treat the entire industrial site. At least two vaults are needed - one on both sides of the creek.


Evans Creek runs through AWR property, shown here 

 Evans Creek is a "Class One" stream of highest value and runs through the site. It's regulated by the Department of Ecology and the City as a "Shoreline of the State."  In 2008, Mayor Marchione proclaimed riparian corridors as" habitat of local importance."

Stormwater run-off carries untreated pollutants (photo) from AWR into the creek, harming Federally protected Chinook salmon and destroying their habitat. Sub-surface, underground streams connecting to Evans and Bear Creek were recognized by the Planning Commission during their Critical Areas Ordinance Update several years ago. Underground streams connecting to contaminated Evans Creek storm flows could spread toxins further into our aquifer before they can be treated by downstream facilities.

Toxic run-off can't percolate
 through impervious surfaces
and runs off untreated.  Heavy
equipment drips hydrolic fluids.

The City will incur certain liabilities should significant trending to aquifer contamination be traced to this AWR site and it's vicinity. Approving this "Determination of Non Significance" (DNS) is setting a precedent for further neglect in the SE Redmond industrial complex, besides AWR. By approving this DNS, the C.O.R. is placing itself at risk to lawsuit and most significantly, potential loss of a highly valuable and important municipal natural resource - potable water. 
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: Two "meet & greet" meetings with superintendent candidate Traci Pierce are rescheduled

"Meet and Greets" with candidate Dr. Pierce are rescheduled to January 25 and February 7.   Feedback taken til February 22.

The meeting scheduled for Dr. Traci Pierce, preferred superintendent candidate, at the LWSD Resource Center has been rescheduled for THIS Wednesday, January 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. 

The meeting scheduled for Dr. Traci Pierce, preferred superintendent candidate, hosted by the City of Sammamish, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 7, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

The School Board of Directors will listen to your feedback and recommendations until February 22. 

The Board is likely to take action to hire a Superintendent at one the following Board meetings (at the District Resource Center):

Jan 30, Board meeting, 5:30PM (a vote is unlikely)

Feb. 27, 7PM  Board Meeting  (public comments accepted)

March 26 7PM Board Meeting (public comments accepted)

By Bob Yoder

EXTRA! Snow days prolong the end of semester for LWSD secondary grade schools

Due to the snow days, the end of semester for LWSD junior high and high schools has been delayed by one week from January 27 to February 3. An updated exam schedule will be posted soon at the daily schedule page on the RHS web site.

  --RHS-PTSA Mustang Weekly EXTRA, 1/23/12

FROM LWSD ADMINISTRATION: 

Due to the snow days, the end of semester for junior high and high schools has been changed from January 27 to February 3.

Also due to the snow days, many meetings were cancelled last week. Here is a list of the new dates for those meetings that have been rescheduled:

Inglewood Middle School 6th grade parent night: 7p.m., January 31 starting in the gym

Stella Schola mandatory information night:Wednesday, January 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Rose Hill Junior High cafeteria

Redmond High School meeting for parents of incoming 2012 freshmen: Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.

STEM School mandatory information night: Friday, January 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Redmond Junior High.

Discovery Community School information night: Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m
 
  --LWSD ADMINISTRATION

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 >>

Redmond High News & Events - Town Meetings with Jane Todd rescheduled

Breaking News:  Due to the snow days, the end of semester for junior high and high schools has been delayed by one week from January 27 to February 3. An updated exam schedule will be posted soon at the daily schedule page on the RHS web site.

INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR FAMILIES OF INCOMING STUDENTS. For families with an incoming RHS freshman or sophomore, the Town Meetings with Principal Jane Todd have been rescheduled to:  January 25 and February 1, as follows: 

· Freshmen. For the parents of incoming freshmen, there will be a Town Meeting in the PAC with Principal Jane Todd on January 25th.  A second freshmen parent meeting on February 1 will feature an evening orientation presented by RHS counseling staff.

· Sophomores. For the parents of incoming sophomores, there will be an evening orientation presented by the Redmond High School counseling staff on January 25th.  A second incoming sophomore parent meeting on February 1 will feature a Town Meeting in the PAC with Principal Jane Todd.

###

CHEER FOOD DRIVE. In Washington State, 1 in 4 children live in families that struggle to put food on the table on a regular basis. Cheer is running a food drive to help stamp out hunger in our area. Please support Hopelink by bringing a donation of food to ALL home basketball games! Hopelink needs our help! Questions? Please ask a cheerleader.Read More! >>

Washington state prep lacrosse schedules announced - 10 new boys and girls high school teams

Washington state prep lacrosse schedules announced 

2012 lacrosse continues to grow in Washington state with the addition of 10 new boys and girls high school teams among the 157 now available to students in nearly 200 state high schools.

SEATTLE –The Washington State Chapter of US Lacrosse today announced the 2012 schedules for boys and girls high school lacrosse for its 34th season in Washington state. 

The spring season for school teams throughout western Washington and the Spokane, Wenatchee, Tri Cities and Yakima areas in eastern Washington gets underway on March 9.   The season concludes with the girls state championships Saturday, May 19 at The Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish and the boys state championships, Saturday, May 26 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.  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

Urban Coyote with prize squirrel

KIM / Urban Coyote with Squirrel

"Guess everyone deserves a good breakfast...that's when this took place...he returned later to blink at us....ha."

 --Kim,  Education Hill residential neighborhood, South-end

Photo by Kim, 1/18/2012

UPDATED: Bloodmobile in Redmond closes early due to storm - 7 pints collected

Bloodmobile has "room for five"

 A serious shortage of blood at the Puget Sound Blood Bank was announced by the city yesterday and today.   One of their bloodmobile's drove up from Tukwilla (said  traffic on 405 was the worst) and parked outside the Police Safety Building.   They were in operation from 10a.m. to 1p.m. and collected from no more than seven donors.  That would be 7 pints.  They were supposed to be open til 4p.m. but left early owing to the roads.

I ran into an old acquaintance giving blood, Art Sullivan.  Art's the Executive Director of  the A Regional Coalition of Housing. (ARCH).  He's got a really cool website that was just updated with a new category on Senior housing options.

Even with the shortened hours and ongoing snowfall, I thought there'd be more than seven donors.  The city advertised the blood drive on their website, by email, and press release.  Are city communicatons getting through?  It was a while since I gave blood and I barely noticed the needle.  It felt good to give ha ha!  The staff were nice, with juice and cookies afterwards!  

Updated Opinion By Bob Yoder
Photo was taken by bloodmobile staff

Overlake Continues to Expand Clinic Network; Overlake Urgent Care Opens in Redmond

Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Creekside Crossing Shopping Center across the street from Safeway. 

Overlake Hospital Medical Center is continuing to grow its network of clinics on the Eastside.  Its brand new Urgent Care Clinic at Overlake Medical Clinics Redmond opened January 9, 2012. The clinic is located at Creekside Crossing Shopping Center in Redmond and will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“Overlake is an independent, community-focused hospital that is driven by the key objective of best serving the Eastside community,” said Craig Hendrickson, Overlake’s President and CEO. “The continued expansion and opening of this Urgent Care Clinic in Redmond allows us to continue to provide our patients with excellent care and our signature attention to detail, quality and patient safety.”

Disclosure:  Good journalistic practice requires I disclose our family experienced unsatisfactory service,  charges and medical care at Overlake Urgent Care Clinic of Redmond and Overlake Hospital Emergency Room.

 Read More >>

Tune into Redmond Community Radio AM 1650 for severe weather and traffic alerts

Tune into Redmond Community Radio AM 1650 for severe weather and traffic advisories.

Reception is best from vehicle radios.  24/7.
Look for AM 1650 road closure signs.

School Board should consider Jane Todd for Superintendent

Jane Todd speaking from District podium, 2009

OPINION:  The Redmond Reporter's January 6 article: "Community invited to meet LWSD superintendent candidate” is misleading.  They write that: "Pierce will replace Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore."  District Director Kathryn Reith's  press release is the source of this mis-information.  The school board hasn't decided to replace Dr. Kimball with Dr.Traci Pierce. They prefer Traci Pierce and are open to feedback and candidate suggestions from the community.  On December 6, when I asked for clarification, Communications Director Ms. Reith wrote:

"The board did not hire Traci. It stated that she is their preferred candidate. She will go through a process of being introduced to the community (meet and greets) and the board will solicit feedback. The board could after that feedback decide not to hire Traci. If that is their decision, they could indeed look at other internal candidates or external candidates."

I commend the school board on engaging the community in this critical decision requiring their vote. Leaving their decision open to community feedback is a wise and thoughtful action. I have attended many school board meetings and work sessions and have seen Traci in action. She's excellent and a good fit with the Board. I don't know who could replace her.

As Traci makes her rounds, I am thrilled parents are getting a glimpse of Jane Todd's LEADERSHIP skills during school "Town Meetings" on configuration. Jane Todd is a skilled and admired LWSD principal with experience leading Juanita High and RHS administrations. Some may say she is the “people’s choice.” Administrator Todd is a leader in a time when we need leadership the most. And, who can possibly replace Traci Pierce as Deputy Superintendent of School Support. It’s a massive job. The School Board should take a second look at their “preferred.” In these times, LWSD needs a leader.

The School Board is asking for your feedback and candidate suggestions  Write them by February 6 to Board@lwsd.org.

Opinion by Bob Yoder

Published  in the Reporter, 1/13

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

Evergreen Hospital is hoping to start a new midwifery program

 

A midwife measures the height of the mother's
fundus at about 26 weeks to
determine the probable gestational age
 of the fetus. (Wikipedia)

 Evergreen Hospital is hoping to start a new midwifery program and wants to know which services you would like to see as part of this program. Please take a few minutes and fill out this confidential survey.  Thank you for your time and participation!

To learn more about the campaign for a new Evergreen Midwifery program and connect with the local midwifery community visit this local Midwifry Facebook page.

What is mid-wifery all about?  FAQ

Click this link for the short, confidential survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SMPHPWR


Visit this site for more information on the survey and local midwifery services.

-Courtesy of  "Support Midwifrey at Evergreen Hospital"

LETTER: Group Health developer should buy own property to mitigate tree clear-cut

LETTER:  It's easy to assume the four listed parks would have received new trees regardless of the developer's actions. So, while this might reduce costs to the city, it won't result in offsetting trees removed from the Overlake property.

The developer should be required to purchase their own property, plant trees, and gauantee the survival of those trees for a reasonable period of time -- 99-years for example. Such a requirement has been place on developers in the past, in other areas of the U.S., and isn't unreasonable to expect here.

Letter by Douglas Burchard
Source:  Comment posted on:  "City identifies four locations for Group Health's clear-cut tree mitigation..."

ATTN:  Redmond Ombudsman-of-the-month, Councilmember Pat Vache'

The city identifies four locations for Group Health's Overlake clear-cut tree mitigation, City concedes additional densities to landowner

Current Group Health site - parking lot
 and treed canopy

UPDATED:  The entire 28-acre "Group Health Overlake Center" site is approved for complete clear-cutting (in phases) once development gets underway.  City council agreed 6-1 to an Exception of the long-standing ordinance that requires 35% retention of all trees in land use projects.    Over 1,100 of the original significant trees and larger landmark trees will be removed.

Bill Biggs, the proponent for landowner Group Health, presented a sealed offer during the December 13 meeting to assuage council and the large crowd speaking against 100% tree removal.  Council held off on their decision  to review Mr. Biggs offer.  (Mr. Biggs is also President of the Redmond Economic Development Alliance).

Mr. Bigg's offer was solely about the park.  It was reviewed by city staff and accepted by council on January 3, as this ammendment:

"The City shall design and install additional park improvements consistent with its neighborhood park standards RZC 21...."  In the process of designing the Park, the City shall consider retention of existing significant and landmark trees where feasible and consistent with good park design and public safety.  The Owner and members of the community shall be consulted and given opportunity to comment on proposed park features, design and materials. 

The City shall seek opportunities for preservation of trees in connection with the design of the Park"    

Associate city planner Dennis Lisk wrote:  "I looked into the number of significant and landmark trees located within the area of the future park and found approximately 12 significant trees, none of which are landmark trees."  Mr. Lisk said there was no guarantee these park trees would be retained, or any others.

Four-hundred trees are slated for planting on the site.  Their size is undefined, as to sapling or 12 foot standard trees.  Rain gardens, planted courtyards, pervious roads, and other LID features are planned.

To compensate for the tree removal, Group Health will plant 3,345 trees and 31,220 shrubs off site in parks and near creeks "to approximate the environmental benefits" of the Group Health forest canopy.  Once Group Health sells it's first parcel for development, ~250 trees will be planted in each of the following 2-acre sites:

• Juel Park (east)  [city contact:  Betty Sanders, bbsanders@redmond.gov]
• Perrigo Park (west)  [city contact:  Betty Sanders]
• Millennium Office Park/Swedish easement adjacent Bear Creek. [city contact: Dennis Lisk, ddlisk@redmond.gov]
• Viewpoint Open Space (after blackberries are cleared).  city contact:  [Betty Sanders]

Group Health will have another 2,300 trees and thousands of shrubs to plant at presently, unidentified locations. 

Of note, according to Lisk, "60% of the parking is underground and expensive and, as a concession to Group Health for this expense additional densities were permitted by the City."  i.e. building height and number of buildings.  Another, unnamed city official said density concessions were given in the earlier planning stages to retain the trees.

Comments are welcome. 

Reported by Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder

Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives objects to clear-cutting 28-acre urban Group Health site

This Group Health structure in Redmond's Overlake Center will be replaced mostly by a park and nearby 13-story hotel.
  "The City is required to seek opportunities to preserve landmark and significant trees in connection with the design
of the park."  The approved plan identifies "approximately 12 significant trees and no landmarks" in the area of the
future park.  There is no guarantee they will be saved.  - D. Lisk, Assoc. Planner, Redmond.

The following, was presented to city officials by Redmond's Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives, on January 3, 2012 during "Items from the Audience"

Good evening Mayor and Redmond City Councilmembers. My name is Rosemarie Ives. I am here tonight as a resident to ask for reconsideration of the council’s decision on December 13th regarding the Group Health Master Plan and Development Agreement.

As the former mayor, I know that this forested property matters to the people of Redmond and those of us who are here tonight object to the clear-cutting of this iconic site. I believe that the criteria for exception to the tree preservation/retention regulations have been misapplied and not justified.  Read More >>

UPDATED JANUARY 25: LWSD Board looks to community for feedback on their "only most important decision" - hiring a superintendent

Jackie Pendergrass
President, LWSD  Board

UPDATED, Jan. 25:  I'd like to correct the Redmond Reporter's January 6 article: "Community invited to meet LWSD superintendent candidate."   The Reporter writes: "Pierce will replace Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore." This is misleading. The school board hasn't decided to replace Mr. Kimball with Traci Pierce.  They prefer Traci but are still open to suggestions and feedback. 

Deadline for input is February 22.  Contact: Board@lwsd.org


On December 6, Communications Director Kathryn Reith wrote:

"The board did not hire Traci. It stated that she is their preferred candidate. She will go through a process of being introduced to the community (meet and greets) and the board will solicit feedback. The board could after that feedback decide not to hire Traci. If that is their decision, they could indeed look at other internal candidates or external candidates."

I commend the school board on engaging the community in this critical decision they must vote on.  As the Board likes to say, "hiring a superintendent  is the only most important decision they make.";  leaving their decision open to community feedback is a wise and thoughtful action. I have attended many school board meetings and work sessions and have seen Traci in action. She's terrific and a good fit with the Board.  I don't know who could replace her in School Services.

As Traci makes her rounds, I am thrilled parents are getting a glimpse of Jane Todd's leadership skills during district "Town Meetings" on class re-configuration.  Please comment.

In the Evergreen JH Town Meeting and a PTSA newsletter, Ms. Todd speaks to the re-configuration challenge:

“We will get there by small steps and a clear view of our destination, not by grandiose plans that feel too big to accomplish, at least not all at once. When staff members look at me with desperation and fear in their eyes, born out of concern for students more than for themselves, I have been saying, "Take a deep breath and then take one manageable step... And, I mean it.”   

NEW!!  For families of incoming students, there's still time to see Traci and Jane and give your feedback to the school board, as follows:

>>>Traci Pierce's City of Sammamish: Tuesday, January 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave SE Sammamish, WA

>>>Lake Washington School District: Wednesday, January 25 from 4:00- 5:30 p.m. in the Hughes Room of the L.E. Scarr Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St., Redmond.

>>>Traci Pierce's City of Kirkland: Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland

>>>Jane Todd's  DATES MOVED AHEAD DO TO SNOW:  RHS Town Meeting for families of incoming students is in the Performing Arts Center, on Jan. 18 (Soph) and Jan. 25 (Frosh).  Call the new RHS number for times:  425-936-1800

Opinion By Bob Yoder

LWSD Administrator Jane Todd holds Town Hall Meeting at Evergreen Junior High

RHS Principal Jane Todd at the podium w/ associates
 addressing the LWSD Board, 2009.  Her speech topic:
"Building culture at RHS" 

from the desk of  RHS District Principal Jane Todd to the Redmond High Community...

I had the pleasure of meeting with all the 8th and 9th graders at Evergreen Junior High School a couple
of weeks ago (don't worry, RJHS, your turn will come in early 2012.) Other administrators from both
EHS and RHS participated with me in a Town Meeting format. I have to first tell you I was absolutely
charmed by all their questions, but my favorite was: Student: "So, tell me about the parking lot
situation at Redmond High." Me: (after a significant pause in which I tried to determine the seriousness of the question) "Well, if you can drive - with a license to do so - you can get a parking pass." The student was in the 8th grade. Never let it be said these students do not plan ahead.

At the end of each session, we were asked by Jan Olson, Principal at EJHS, to give one piece of advice
that students could act on now. Mine was, "Reflect on who you are, what you have done to date to
meet the goals you have for yourself and what changes you may need to make for the future because
you will have a fresh start next fall." I went on to mention that there are only a few times in our lives
when we have the opportunity to start over with a fresh slate. Read More >>

Native American Indian students perform for LWSD school board to an overflowing audience.

Eastside Native American Indian students perform in School District chambers.

Eastside Native American Indian students perform in December 5 school board business meeting to recognize retiring School Board member Ravis Shahadi's 8 years of service. (See Ravi squirm.) Mary Wilber, Director of the Eastside Native American organization also recognized the services of departing Sup. Chip Kimball.

The district chambers were overflowing with various groups attending, including: Merit Scholar awardees and their parents, Sammamish parents and students lobbying for Eastlake athletic field uses, citizens speaking for a convenient STEM school location on Willows Road, and PTSA members and press awaiting the Board's superintendent announcement. Jane Todd, Principal RHS and past-Principal of Juanita High introduced the Merit Scholars.

Eastside Native American Indian Association:  http://www.eastsideindianed.org/  The organization serves three school districts  

Video report By Bob Yoder

City Citizen Academy fosters civic leadership and volunteerism

Redmond’s 2012 Citizen Academy will begin on January 23, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Council Chambers. The series will include a total of six sessions on Monday evenings as well as three optional tours of City facilities. This is an opportunity for Redmond community members to learn about the day-to-day functions of municipal government. In addition, participation can help foster civic leadership and volunteerism such as involvement with the upcoming Budgeting by Priorities process.
 
   -- Kim Dietz, Senior Planner, City of Redmond

UPDATED: LWSD School Configurations - Parent Night agendas - Parent / Student Guides

from the LWSD Admininistration...
5th / 6th Grade  GUIDE OR PARENTS & STUDENTS:   SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR CHOICE AND NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS.  Parent Night times and agendas

8th / 9th Grade  GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS:   HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR CHOICE AND NEIGHBGORHOOD SCHOOLS.  Parent Night times & agendas

["Town Meeting" with Jane Todd, with family members on Jan. 18  (Soph) and Jan. 25 (Frosh), per Mustang Weekly]

FAQ - SCHOOL CONFIGURATION - fall of 2012
Answers to common questions about the move to middle schools and 4-year high schools.

Lake Washington School District will move from a grades K-6 elementary school, grades 7-9 junior high school and grades 10-12 high school system to a grades K-5 elementary school, grades 6-8 middle school and grades 9-12 high school system in the fall of 2012.

Q. Why is Lake Washington making this change?

A.  High school transcripts and college admissions consider high school to be grades nine through 12. When ninth grade students are in a junior high school, it can be difficult for them to realize that their academic work actually counts toward high school graduation and college admissions. Four-year high schools are more conducive to college readiness.
    Demographic trends in this district are for a need for increased capacity in the elementary schools over the next ten years. By moving one grade (sixth) out of the elementary schools, classroom space is freed up for more classes in other grades. The amount of additional building needed to house the four-year high schools was considerably less than would be needed at the elementary level if sixth grade stayed in those schools.

Q. What is the difference between a middle school and a junior high school?   Read More >>