High Quality Instruction and Learning for Every Child, Every Day in Every Classroom

Renton, like all areas of the Puget Sound region, is growing…fast. Businesses continue to

move into the area and housing and apartment complexes are being constructed at record pace. The welcomed improvement in our local economy also brings more jobs and families moving into the area. It also means more students enrolling in our schools. Working with a demographer and using data from multiple sources, the district recently reviewed that growth and created student enrollment projections for the next 10 years. The data is helping the district be ready for

the growing number of students over the next decade.

As part of that planning, a committee of community members, staff, city/civic economic developers and planners, and others, recently completed work to create the list of needed school construction projects and new school construction they will be recommending to Renton School Board members for their consideration to be placed into a bond measure for voter consideration.

The committee will recommend building two new elementary schools on land currently owned by the district at the current

Sartori Education Center site in north Renton (pictured) and at the district-owned property adjacent the Secondary Learning Center in the Skyway neighborhood. Also included in the proposal are school building improvement projects that were recommended by principals and school staff earlier this year. Those school improvements/renovations projects include:

• school renovations/upgrades

• classroom floors/doors windows

• commons area/gyms

• entryways and classroom doors

• roofs/gutters

• heat pumps/boilers

• playfields/playground

• parking lots

• sidewalks

The committee will present their recommendations to the School Board in a special study session, which is open to the public, on May 27, 5:30 p.m. in the Board room at the district offices, 300 SW 7th Street, Renton. If the Board decides to move forward with a school construction bond measure, it will likely be placed on the Feb. 9, 2016 ballot for voter approval along with the district's expiring Maintenance and Operation Levy and the Technology Levy.

School Board to hear recommendations to build 2 new elementary schools

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District enrollment projections to 2024Based on County births and population trends, grade roll-up and local housing

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Hazen High School student Denisha Shrestha was born and raised in Nepal, very near the epicenter of the recent devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has taken the lives of more than 7,000 people and left millions without food, shelter and medicine. Denisha, who moved to Renton in 2012, has a lot of family and friends who live in the earthquake area. Her family is alive, but devastated.

Denisha is a caring young person who is taking action to help her family and fellow countrymen.

She’s started a fundraiser through her school’s Key Club, with the help of teacher Brad Zylstra, with the intent to raise at least $1,000 to donate to relief efforts through the Nepal Seattle Society.

You can support Denisha’s efforts by sending a check payable to Hazen High School (write “Nepal Earthquake Relief” in the note section), and mail to Hazen High School, C/O Sarah Viles, 1101 Hoquiam Ave NE, Renton, WA 98059. Deadline for donations is May 21.

Dimmitt Middle School students recently hosted Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas III to show off their skills at computer code writing. Dimmitt students held an “Hour of Code” event, which is a hands-on computer coding event organized by Seattle-based Code.org.

Computer coding is what makes it possible to create computer software, apps and websites. Browser, Operating Systems, the apps on phones, Facebook, and websites are all made with code. Computer coding is a fast-growing profession, especially in the Seattle market: For every computer science degree graduate from Washington’s universities, there are 27 open jobs available right now. Introducing youth to computer coding is helping spark interest among young students in a skill that leads to well-paying jobs in industries from computer software and gaming to health care, manufacturing and construction.

Gov. Inslee has made STEM and computer science training a top education priority with legislation and budget investments to expand STEM learning opportunities throughout the state from elementary school through college. The Earl Thomas III Guardian Angel Foundation will also be sponsoring a series of “Coding is Cool” summer camps this year.

Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas and Governor Inslee learn computer coding from Dimmitt Middle School students

Hazen High student takes action to help countrymen in the devastation

of the Nepal earthquake

More than 1,300 middle and high school students recently attended the district’s annual Trades Show hosted by the Career and Technical Education Department. More than 50 local and national organizations (like Boeing pictured) provided students with hands-on information about work, educational and vocational requirements for trades and jobs, and the employment outlook for the next five years. Career and Technical Education is a vital part of each student’s basic education experience, providing them with career exploration and acquiring 21st Century skills to be college and career ready.

Students learn to be ready for the world of work

High schools throughout the district are working with the King County Elections Office to create real election ballots for student candidates who are running for school elected positions. The new ballots are a change from the student-created paper ballots usually used in high school elections and will include positions for student body (ASB) president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The collaboration with the Elections Office will help students become more familiar with the voting process, how to properly fill out election ballots, and to be more involved in voting for local and national elections when they turn 18 years old.

High school students engaged inthe election process

Renton High School students in Jessica Diasio’s leadership class recently spent May Day reconnecting with Renton’s past and bringing happiness to some of the city’s elderly residents. Renton High students made flower arrangements and included personal, inspirational notes for retired residents of the nearby Chateau Valley Center. The teens spent time visiting with residents and sharing stories about high school life in the past and present. The students got a rare treat during the visit: They had the privilege of meeting 103-year-old Cecilia who is the oldest known living graduate of Renton High School. Cecilia graduated from Renton High 85 years ago, in 1930. Cecilia loved meeting with the students and even sang them a song from her days at Renton High. (See a video of Cecilia’s song and photos of the visit at the district’s website: www.rentonschools.us.)

Renton High School students brighten day of retirement home residents

Renton School District | 300 SW 7th Street, Renton WA 98057 | 425.204.2345 | www.rentonschools.us www.facebook.com/renton.schools | twitter.com/Renton_Schools | www.youtube.com/user/RentonSchoolDistrict

Looking for a great job?Renton School District is hiring: Apply online now at

https://jobs.rentonschools.us

Teaching and non-teaching, full-time positions or part-time substitute positions, with hours that are set or flexible and

many do not require a teaching degree.Pay can range up to $17.36 per/hour with great benefits.

Current openings include: Bus Driver, Custodian,Food Service/Substitute Cook, Office Assistant, and more.

More than 100 parents recently graduated from the district’s new parent partnership program called the Parent Academy for Student Achievement (PASA). The nine-week program was created to strengthen the bond between school and home for parents at Highlands and Honey Dew elementary schools, and to

provide tools to assist parents to take a more participatory role in their child’s education. PASA classes were taught in the top four languages spoken in each school's community and translated in additional languages as needed. Classes included engaging and collaborating with teachers, counselors

and principals; encouraging high school and college graduation; and navigating the school system. The program may be extended to other schools in the future to continue to create school communities in which parents and teachers collaborate to transform a child's educational environment so that all children can achieve their greatest academic potential and be prepared for college and career. The program is funded through a federal Race to the Top grant.

Parents more prepared to connectlearning between school and home

Tiffany Park Elementary School has received more than 600 books donated by Sean Alexander, a sixth-grader from Pine Lake Middle School in the Issaquah School District. Students at Sean’s school wanted to share their love of reading with children at a local elementary school. Sean worked hard in the fundraiser and helped fill three 25-gallon bins with new and slightly used books. Tiffany Park Elementary librarian Mae Davis will make the books available to students through the school’s weekly Reading Log Give Away Incentive program. (Pictured l-r: Mae Davis, Sean Alexander and Tiffany Park Elementary Principal Irene Olsen)

Middle school student hosts book drive: collects more than 600 books for elementary students