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In the workplace, employees are expected to come equipped with at least basic technology skills.

The better their technology skills, the better the job available to them.

What complicates their preparation is that technology is advancing at a lightning pace. It’s a reality that our students must graduate not only with the most current skills, but also be prepared to adapt to changes in technology they will encounter in their lifetimes.

Ten years ago, there were no smartphones. Today, typical cell phone users spend less time talking on the device than they do shopping, paying bills or reading email.

The point is, technology has become embedded in every aspect of our lives, and it’s changing by the minute. Experts agree, young people will need to be prepared to re-tool their careers multiple times. They’ll need to operate in a constantly changing environment.

What do our students need to master?A rapidly-changing workplace requires a new kind of instruction, in which students develop not only a mastery of core subjects, but 21st century skills as well.

Here’s a list of subjects and skills experts say our students will need for success in the coming decades:

REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY LEVY ON FEBRUARY BALLOT

A six-year replacement technology levy will be on voters’ ballots in February,

following a unanimous decision by the FWPS Board of Directors at the November 24 board meeting.

This levy will not increase taxes, it simply continues the current level of collections of $4.4 million dollars per year from 2017 through 2022. The estimated annual tax rate is $0.37 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.

The technology levy provides funding for the infrastructure—the network, both hardwired and wireless—as well as hardware such as computers and tablets.

This fall, the district held a series of meetings with students, staff, families and community members to hear thoughts and suggestions regarding technology needed to support our students’ success.

Coming from these discussions, our priorities are:

• To provide all students equitable access to technology;

• To continue providing job-embedded professional development and technology tools to teachers;

• To assure reliable infrastructure through a regular replacement schedule;

• To nurture STEM Lighthouse schools that serve as demonstration sites where teachers can learn to better incorporate technology in their practice.

The ballot measure and resolution went before the board at their regular meeting on November 10. The board heard an in-depth presentation on the use of the current technology levy funding, and plans for the next six years, at a November 3 work study.

SUP ER IN T ENDEN T DR . TA M MY C A MP BEL L

Tech ready, career ready

Teri Galloway, a health and fitness teacher at Decatur High School, says she first started using

technology in her classroom when she realized she could engage students with it. Her first foray into using technology was as simple as asking students to pull out their personal smartphones so she could show how to use them as a fitness tool.

She continues to use that strategy, but she’s added an array of technological devices to her classroom by combining school funding with grants. By providing enough iPads for every student in her classes, along with wearable fitness devices, she assures all students have access to the technology that is now key in her classroom.

“We’re reaching them where they are every day, all day long. They are most comfortable with a device in their hand,” Galloway says. “If you can incorporate that into your class, instead

of turning them off, you can turn them on. They are 100 percent engaged.”

Technology is key to individualized learning

“Using technology gives students a deeper understanding of a subject, because they can make it more meaningful for themselves. They can access the activities they want to do,” Galloway says. “It also allows me to really differentiate instruction for my students.”

Truman math teacher Felix Angeles echoes Galloway’s point: With the increased achievement expected of our students, teachers must individualize education as much as possible. Students need to be able to work at their skill level and their own pace to ensure understanding at every step of the way.

“We do this by capturing as much data as possible, as soon as possible,” Angeles says. “This is feedback for the student

and the teacher: what concepts does the student understand? Where does he or she need more practice or instruction?” Without the technology teachers now have access to, they would not be able to do that.

The school recently transitioned to a blended learning model that’s proving effective for their students. In blended learning, students receive all or some of their instruction online, typically at the school.

Technology does many things well, but building relationships with students isn’t necessarily one of them. So, there’s also a support network at the school: Adults who can provide further instruction if a student is having difficulty grasping a concept, who can help set goals, and who can develop a plan if a student falls behind.

How P.E. class prepares students for the world of work

Ultimately, giving students practice in using these tools and processes prepares them for the future jobs, Angeles and Galloway agree. “There aren’t going to be a whole lot of jobs that exist anymore that don’t require knowledge of these current systems,” Angeles says.

“I’m creating a community of learners in my classroom using technology,” Galloway points out. “By giving them those tools and connections, I’m preparing them for life beyond high school. And not only in regards to physical fitness and maintaining their health, I’m preparing them for the workplace—where they may have to blog and share documents or work on a common Google document.”

“Even though it’s P.E., those are transferrable skills,” she points out.

Core subjects and 21st century themes

• Global awareness• Financial, economic,

business and entrepreneurial literacy

• Civic literacy• Health literacy• Environmental literacy

Learning and innovation skills: the four Cs

• Communications • Collaboration• Critical thinking• Creativity

If our students are to be career-ready, we must utilize technology in every aspect of their schooling.

It’s not surprising this kind of learning very often involves the creative use of technology in a classroom. This serves to personalize the learning in core subjects and enhance instruction, expanding the student’s tech skills.

Below, you’ll read how two of our teachers are embedding technology into their instruction, and preparing our students for the jobs of the 21st century.

Did you know Washington state ranks 8th in the nation for technology careers? This means our student-scholars must be adept users of technology if they are to be career ready for the job market.

Students in Teri Galloway's Yoga and Pilates class photo-graph each other to record their form in a particular pose for comparison after further practice.

Engaging students and tailoring instruction

LISTEN. LEARN. LEAD.

See the exciting and surprising ways our teachers are using technology: Video is available on our YouTube channel. Go to www.fwps.org and select “Technology Levy” for links.

Dr. Campbell’s

Entry Plan

is online at

fwps.org.

LOCAL FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL

Technology skills have become essential for nearly every job available today. The

state requires schools to teach technology curriculum and to use technology to assess students’ learning. While the state provides some funding for technology, it’s not enough to meet the needs of the 21st century student.

The higher technology demands being placed on schools by the new state achievement test—which is conducted entirely online for students grades 5 through 12—prompted the district to supplement the technology levy with an additional $400,000 from the general fund each of the last two years to make sure the district was ready.

Federal Way schools are able to keep computers up to date and introduce new technology with local support from our voters.

This consistent source of local funding also allows the district to maintain a schedule to regularly replace the oldest student and staff devices in our schools.

PLAYGROUND ENHANCEMENTS BENEFIT ENTIRE COMMUNITY

Like a building, playground equipment has a lifespan. Play structures need

upkeep and occasional replacement to make sure that they are safe and meet current industry guidelines. Prior to the 2012 capital levy, playground equipment at some schools was broken and couldn’t be used. Some equipment didn’t meet modern safety standards without daily maintenance.

The 2012 capital levy included $2 million to replace and update equipment at 19 elementary and K-8 schools across the district. In fact, the capital levy playground funding provided for all but the most recently built elementary schools—Lakeland, Panther Lake, Sunnycrest and Valhalla. Those schools received new playground equipment thanks to funding through the last bond measure.

With more up-to-date equipment, students have more activities to participate in at recess. We know active play promotes physical health. But did you know studies show children who play actively also learn better, are more alert and behave better in the classroom?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, free, unstructured play is essential for keeping children healthy, and for helping them reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones. Unstructured play also helps kids manage stress and become resilient, leading to better performance in the classroom.

Over the past three summers since the levy’s passage, upgrades have been performed at ten schools. In 2013, we started with the structures most in need of attention: Lake Dolloff, Mark Twain, and Silver Lake. Since then, Adelaide, Brigadoon, Camelot, Enterprise, Lake Grove, Mirror Lake, and Olympic View have received new or refurbished structures. In the remaining three years of the capital levy, nine more schools will receive improvements: Green Gables, Meredith Hill, Nautilus K-8, Rainier View, Sherwood Forest, Star Lake, Twin Lakes, Wildwood, and Woodmont K–8.

The whole community benefits from new and improved school playgrounds, which are available for all community members to use outside of school hours. And schools with modern facilities enhance home values throughout the neighborhood.

By putting together a smart financing package, the district is rebuilding Federal Way High School and upgrading playgrounds and security systems

across the district—a total of $110 million worth of facility improvements—over a period of six years.

More than half comes from a $60 million capital levy approved by voters in 2012

In 2012, the district’s voters approved the collection of $60 million.

Not only is the capital levy paying to rebuild Federal Way High School, it is funding important work throughout the district. You can read more about our progress on playgrounds and security cameras at left and below.

Funding from the 2007 bond measure and state match funding round out the package

Funding to rebuild Federal Way High School is also coming from the following sources:

• Approximately $10.6 million from existing capital projects funds from the 2007 bond measure that rebuilt five schools and completed essential maintenance projects across the district. The recession provided an unexpected benefit to the district, allowing us to complete this work under budget.

• State match funding in the amount of $12.4 million, also left over from the 2007 bond measure.

• An anticipated $27 million in state match funding triggered by the 2012 capital levy.

By state law, these funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs. They must be used for capital expenses such as construction. You can keep up on the construction of the new Federal Way High School at www.facebook.com/fwhsbuild and on our website, www.fwps.org.

FINANCIAL INGENUITY

Rebuilding Federal Way High School

The 2012 capital levy included funding to ensure all schools had similarly high-quality security camera equipment, as well as a sufficient number of cameras.

The original $1 million budget capital levy received a boost from a $200,000 grant obtained through the state.

With the grant money, the district was able to purchase new security camera servers for schools. By doing the programming and installation of the servers, the district’s technology department provided further taxpayer dollar savings.

New cameras will be purchased for the 12 schools that currently do not have any security cameras, and for those schools that need additional cameras for comprehensive coverage.

Currently, wiring is being done in preparation for the new camera installation. Existing cameras at the schools have already been re-routed to feed to the new servers.

Thanks to the support of our voters, this project will not only improve security for our buildings and safety for our

Security camera improvements well under way

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students and staff: Security cameras at schools often have a positive impact on safety throughout their surrounding neighborhoods, as well.

Construction continuing at a fast paceThe transformation taking place on the south side of the

Federal Way High School campus is nothing short of dramatic. A three-story building is rapidly taking shape where a meandering series of single-story additions to the original high school once stood.

Through the past six months, our community has watched intently as construction moved from west to east along South 308th Street: The three classroom wings were erected consecutively: As construction of each wing reached a certain point, the foundation of the next was poured. Subsequent work was staggered in a well-timed choreography of material deliveries, intense work by contractors and inspections.

This fall, the work has included the installation of the roof and interior framing, wiring and plumbing. At the time of this publication, late November, contractors began installing windows and the exterior layers on the outer walls facing

308th Street.

At the same time, the section of the building facing Pacific Highway south is also taking shape.

This section of the building houses the library and administrative offices, and will lead to the commons, theater and gymnasium. The oval shape of the theater is clearly emerging as its concrete walls are erected within a hop, skip and jump of the original high school.

Throughout the process, a substantial number of mature trees have been left standing, protected by chain link fence. Together with the preservation of artifacts from the old school, they will help maintain the feel of a historically-rich campus even as the up-to-date building opens.

Students and staff will occupy this section of the new high school in the fall of 2017.

Aerial photo of new FWHS construction, November 11, 2015.

PROGRESS 5

State Dollars 70.8% $168,060,392 The largest source of funding for local schools comes from state tax dollars. State dollars make up nearly 71 cents of every dollar we spend. The state Supreme Court has ordered the legislature to fully fund K–12 education, but that target has not been met.

Local Levy Dollars18.7% $44,454,667Levies are tax dollars collected from local taxpayers, which must be approved by our local voters. The money is used for day-to-day costs and collected over a set number of years (for example, no more than four years for operations levies). Levies are a critical piece of the district funding pie. The EP&O levy alone made up 18.7% of our budget, or almost 19 cents of every dollar in the 2014–2015 school year.

Federal Dollars 8.5% $20,076,348Federal dollars make up 8.5 cents of every dollar we spend and help provide vital services in specific areas. Over 99% of federal dollars are strictly allocated, meaning the district can’t use federal dollars to make up for shortages in other funding.

Other, including donations 2.0% $4,757,246All other funding sources together make up just two cents of every dollar we spend. That includes local gifts and donations, which are used to fill very specific needs. This is a small, but vital source of budget dollars.

Teaching and Teaching Support73.9% $172,613,142Last school year, we spent almost 74 cents of every dollar on teaching and teaching support. That includes librarians, counselors and classroom assistants.

School and Central Office Staff11.0% $25,740,181Eleven cents per dollar were spent on administration. That includes building principals and central office staff.

Custodial, Maintenance and Grounds5.3% $12,456,223Just over a nickel of every dollar we spent last year was on school maintenance, custodians and grounds crews.

Nutrition Services3.2% $7,447,639Just over three cents per dollar went to provide hot, nutritious meals to our students.

Transportation2.8% $6,513,777Almost three cents per dollar spent were on buses, mechanics and drivers, who safely transported around 15,000 students over a million miles last year.

Utilities1.7% $3,949,057 Under two cents per dollar were spent on power, water and sewer for our buildings. Recent years’ efforts to conserve energy are paying off!

All Other Support Services2.0% $4,740,216Everything else that goes into keeping our schools running, including technology, costs us just two cents per dollar spent.

$233,460,234 $237,348,652

OUR MISSIONFederal Way Public Schools’ purpose is to educate all students in academic knowledge, skills, abilities and responsible behavior to be successful, contributing members of a free society.

OUR VISIONALL MEANS ALL

NONDIS C R IM IN AT ION S TAT E MEN T

Federal Way Public Schools complies with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. No student shall be denied an equal educational opportunity or be unlawfully discriminated against because of national origin, race, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation including gender identity, or a physical, mental or sensory disability.

Parent(s)/guardian or students who feel they have been discriminated against have a right to file a complaint with the school district and/or local, state and federal authorities. Inquiries and complaints should be filed with the individuals listed below.

An Equal Opportunity EmployerFederal Way Public Schools provides equal employment opportunity and treatment for all applicants and staff in recruitment, hiring, retention, assignment, transfer, promotion and training. Such equal employment opportunity is provided without discrimination with respect to race, color, national origin or ethnicity, creed or religion, age, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, qualified individuals with physical, sensory or mental disabilities, military or veteran status, nor in violation of any other applicable state or federal laws.

Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the School District’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and/or Section 504 Coordinator.

Title IX/RCW 28A.640 OfficerDan Dizon, 33330 8th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2007

Section 504 CoordinatorChris Willis, 33330 8th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2084

Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT2014–2015 School Year*

Staff .................................................3,085Regular employees ...............................2,370 Substitutes (classified and certificated) ....... 715

ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS

Schools (total): ...................................... 39Elementary schools .................................... 21Kindergarten–8th grade schools ...................2 Middle schools ...........................................7Comprehensive high schools ...................... 4 Specialized schools ....................................5 Truman Campus FW Public Academy (grades 6–10) Internet Academy (grades K–12) Technology Access Foundation Academy (grades 6–12) Federal Way Acceleration AcademyService AreaOur students live in four cities (Federal Way, and parts of Auburn, Kent, and Des Moines) and unincorporated King County.

ABOUT OUR STUDENTSEnrollment (October 2014) .............22,511

Free & Reduced ...................................59.2%Special Education ................................13.5%Transitional bilingual... ..........................16.5%Male ..................................................51.2%Female ...............................................48.8%American Indian/Alaskan Native.............0.6%Asian .................................................. 11.8%Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander .. 4.7%Black/African American ....................... 11.9%Hispanic/Latino of any race(s) ...............26.8%Caucasian ..........................................32.2%Multiracial ..........................................12.0%Number of languages spoken in our students’ homes ....................... 112

Graduation Rate (Class of 2014) .... 76.2%Adjusted 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate (Class of 2013) ................................72.8%

*Fiscal year ending August 31, 2015.For more data about our district, including our state standardized test scores in the 2014-2015 school year, please go to the Office of the State Superintendent Report Card webpage at http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/, and select Federal Way School District in the “Summary” drop-down menu.

OF F IC I A L S TAT I S T IC S

2 0 1 4 – 2 0 1 5 ANNUAL REPORT

M O N E Y F O R P U B L I C E D U C A T I O N

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?Our General Fund,

which pays for day-to-day operations, is funded by a variety of sources:

HOW IS IT USED?On average, almost 74% of the money goes to our teachers and their support,

11% to building and district administration:

Local levy dollars allow us to offer a competitive salary to attract strong candidatesFederal Way Public Schools strives to pay its employees a median wage compared to school districts of similar size. We don’t include Seattle and Bellevue in those salary comparisons, but are often compared to those districts in student achievement. And we do, in fact, compete with them for excellent teaching candidates.

Because state funding formulas provide us less per employee than other districts, we must ask our voters to make up the difference, by providing additional funding through local levies.

This is one issue that the state Supreme Court addressed when it ordered the legislature to fully fund schools. The court ruled that state actions that force school districts to use local levy dollars to support basic education is unconstitutional. However, the legislature has not yet found a way to change the funding formulas to reduce schools’ dependence on local dollars.

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Federal Way School District, No. 21033330 8th Avenue SouthFederal Way WA 98003

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Progress Report to the Community is published quarterly by Federal Way Public Schools.

Write us at 33330 8th Avenue South, Federal Way WA 98003, or call 253-945-2266. Visit our web site at www.fwps.org.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/fwps210 Twitter: @fwps210

Federal Way Public Schools has embarked on a Strategic Planning Initiative to develop

the vision and direction for enhancing student achievement and success in the coming years.

“One of the most important components of the strategic planning process is to involve students, parents and community in defining what our schools should do and be for all of our community’s children,” said Superintendent Dr. Tammy Campbell. “Our goal is to bring together diverse voices and perspectives.”

A core planning team consisting of 100 members, representative of all Federal Way stakeholders, will lead the strategic planning process. In addition, this initiative will include an alignment team and an instructional focus team.

In developing our plan, the district will use an approach that is inclusive, intentional and values all voices. The input of the broader community has been built in throughout the process.

This fall, the greater Federal Way Public Schools community—parents, staff, students and community members—were invited to share their best thinking through an online survey.

The results of this survey will be used to inform the work of the Core Strategic Planning team.

Read more about the strategic planning process on our website at www.fwps.org/strategic-plan/.

BIG dreams FOR OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURES Information gathering first step instrategic planning

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COMMUNITY FORUMS COMING

What should our schools do and be for all of our children? Tell us your

hopes and dreams for your child’s academic learning.

One of the most important components of the strategic planning initiative is student, parent and community involvement. Please attend one of these five community forums around the district.

January 14, 2016 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Sacajawea Middle School Library 1101 South Dash Point Road, Federal Way

January 25, 2016 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. King County Regional Library 34200 1st Way South, Federal Way

February 8, 2016 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Lakota Middle School Commons 1415 SW 314th Street, Federal Way

February 29, 2016 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High School Library 4248 S. 288th Street, Auburn

March 1, 2016 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Kilo Middle School Library 4400 South 308th Street, Auburn

Light meal provided.

Childcare provided upon request;  shuttle transportation available. Call Jazzminn Haughton at 253-945-2142.

Interpreters will be provided. (Spanish,  Russian, Korean at all sites; Somali and Arabic interpreters will also be available at Thomas Jefferson only).

World language storytime will be provided at some forums by the King County Library System.

The Strategic Core Planning Team met on November 2 and 3, beginning the work of outlining a roadmap for improvement to provide clarity, unity and direction to the strategic planning process. Superintendent Dr. Tammy Campbell believes this work will lead to a bright future for each one of our student-scholars.

“The strategic plan will be

our roadmap toward a future

vision and provides unity,

clarity and direction to the important work of the district.”

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