Puyallup School District302 Second Street SEP. O. Box 370Puyallup, WA 98371

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CONNECTIONSVolume 10:4 Published for Puyallup School District's Community Partners for a Quality Future January 2005

Teachers infuse Chinese culture in Puyallup classrooms

Kindergarten registration ............4School bond updates .............. 6-7District wins diversity award.......9Fall sports wrap-up ....................12Tsunami relief project ................13Budget challenges .....................15

IN THIS ISSUE

continued on page 4

Edgemont Junior High teacher Brooks Hazen tours a middle schoolcampus in Chengdu, China last summer.

Third-grade QUEST students(from left) Cheyenne Thomas andKaitlyn Kosai practice countingon an abacus.

(photo by Michael Raffanti)

Second graders at Brouillet ElementarySchool are getting a new spin on theCinderella story. Through listening to thestory of Yeh-Shen, a Cinderella story fromChina, and holding artifacts of lotus shoesused to bind feet there, students arelearning about the cultural history of theAsian country.

Students in other elementary and juniorhigh schools are using abacuses to learnmath skills, viewing photographs ofChina�s terraced hillsides as they studyhow ancient Chinese farmers grew crops,and watching slide shows of the country tosupport discussions comparing socialissues there to the United States.

Realizing the important role China isbound to play in their students� lives,educators in Puyallup are working hard toinfuse a China-education theme through-out many of their lessons. Their curriculais being enhanced with real-life experi-ences from 10 Puyallup educators whotraveled to China last summer.

Led by professors from Pacific LutheranUniversity (PLU), the 10 local educatorsspent time with teachers and students inChina through a program offered by theFreeman Foundation.

QUEST teacher Heather MacMaster saysteaching and learning has been enhanced inher third-grade classroom as she incorporatesinformation and photographs from her trip.She recently taught her students how ancientChinese farmers lived in caves along theYellow River and terraced the hillsides togrow crops. In the same lesson, studentsshared their knowledge of how farmers ineastern Washington use huge irrigation circlesto alter the environment for better crops.

�I was able to show my own photographsof terraced hillsides near the Yellow Riverand of our visit to a farmhouse where theliving quraters were carved into the side ofa hill,� says MacMaster.

Kalles Junior High teacher Jeanna Koosersays the experience has enabled her toimplement a more comprehensive exami-nation of the government and economy inChina in her seventh- and ninth-gradesocial studies classes.

In addition to sharing their experiencesabroad with other teachers and students in

the District, several of these educatorsserve on District committees and arehelping to identify relevant ways to includeChina-related issues into the curriculum.They are also looking at strengthening theChinese language program offered at AylenJunior High and Puyallup High schools.

While in China, the Puyallup grouplearned that teachers and students in Chinaare grappling with many of the sameissues affecting schools in Washington.How do teachers reach all students? Howdo educators effectively assess learningoutcomes? How can classrooms be

managed effectively?

MacMaster says it was especiallyhelpful having pre-travel education atPLU and having four PLU professorstravel with the group. �All of ourseminar professors were experts in theiracademic fields with experience livingin China,� she says. �On the trip,professors would give mini-lectures onwhat we were about to see or encourageinquiry about what we had seen.�

(photo by Nancy Velasquez)

2 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICTBoarBoarBoarBoarBoard ofd ofd ofd ofd of Dir Dir Dir Dir Directorectorectorectorectorsssss

Bruce DammeierPresident

(253) 370-7198

Diana SeeleyVice President(253) 848-4028

Greg HeathLegislative Representative

(253) 770-8797

Kathy Afflerbaugh(253) 840-1185

Lloyd Freudenstein(253) 841-1599

Dr. Tony ApostleSuperintendent(253) 841-8769

District MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionSupported by families and our diverse com-munity, the Puyallup School District challengesstudents to achieve their academic, creative,and physical potential.

Connections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PolicolicolicolicolicyyyyyConnections is published periodically by thePuyallup School District as part of a com-munications link between the District and thecommunity. Its intent and purpose is to pro-vide the Board and District staff a venue toinform community members about pro-grams, goals, and activities of public edu-cation in the Puyallup School District. Pleasedirect questions or comments to KarenHansen, Director of Communications andExecutive Services, PO Box 370, PuyallupWA 98371 or telephone (253) 841-8703 oremail khansen@puyallup.k12.wa.us. Re-sponses, as appropriate, will be provideddirectly to those who contact this office.

CoorCoorCoorCoorCoordinadinadinadinadinatortortortortor::::: Karen HansenEditorEditorEditorEditorEditor: : : : : Susan GiffordTTTTTececececechnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: Dale CarringtonContribContribContribContribContributing Wuting Wuting Wuting Wuting Writerriterriterriterriters:s:s:s:s: Brynn Blanchard,Susan Gifford, and Teresa Stover

Puyallup School District No. 3 complies withall federal rules and regulations and doesnot discriminate on the basis of race, creed,color, marital status, age, national origin,religion, or disability. This holds true for allstudents who are interested in participatingin educat ional programs and/orextracurricular activities. Inquiriesregarding compliance procedures may bedirected to the District's Title IX/RCW28A.640 Of f icer and Section 504Coordinator (William L. Welk, ExecutiveDirector of Human Resources) at 302Second Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372.Phone: (253) 841-8645.

Superintendent's MessageBecoming the �Best of the Best� in Puyallup

Tony ApostleSuperintendent

Giftmakers serves 750-plus children

Like many of you, I arrive at work everyday prepared and excited for my scheduledmeetings, school visitations, and conversa-tions with staff, students, and communitymembers. I am aware, however, that I mustalso be prepared for the uncertainties thatsurround you and me, the unexpected actsof nature and people, and the unanticipatedinternal and external forces that are farbeyond our control. Given these conditions,I invite you to join me in helping ourDistrict become �The Best of the Best� inthe State of Washington.

This is what pushes, inspires, and moti-vates me every day and drives my hopesand dreams for our great School District.

I envision our staff and community to beone that, first, believes it can and mustbecome the highest performing PierceCounty school district in all areas ofstudent achievement. Once we accomplishthis locally, our next target will be to moveup on the fourth, seventh, and tenth grade

WASL performance results list as com-pared to the 20 largest school districts inthe state � of which PSD is the tenthlargest. These measured increases instudent achievement will not only result inhigher WASL test scores; but moreimportantly, they will demonstrate that wehave been successful in meeting the needsof all students.

The WASL, however, is not the onlymeasure of student success. Higher studentachievement is also measured by indica-tors including other tests, student data,

activities, and surveys. Here are severalexamples:

� Increasing the number of ourunderperforming and most at-riskyouth who pass minimum standards forhigh school graduation;

� Increasing our high school graduationrate for all groups of students;

� Increasing student participation inschool activities;

� Increasing parent satisfaction withschools and their involvement in thelives of their children;

� Increasing daily school attendance forall students;

� Reducing the achievement gap amongour ethnic minority students;

� Reducing the dropout rate;

� Building student confidence and senseof accomplishment;

� Developing graduates who areprepared to learn specialized skills forthe career and workplace of theirchoice; and

� Developing independent, contributingmembers of society.

Achieving these goals will require all of usto work together as we carry out the toughdecisions to increase student achievement� and to keep an eye on the financialresources needed to accomplish theseattainable goals. This means that programsand staff must clearly support the coremission of increased student achievementfor all students.

We cannot do this alone, however.Achieving our goal requires a partnershipwith parents and community members.Many of you are already active in yourschools. If you are not a member of ourteam, I invite you to become one. Simplycontact your neighborhood schoolprincipal. Through our work together, wewill become a place that envisions itself as�The Best of the Best.�

Puyallup Giftmakers, a �kids helping kids� program operated byPuyallup School District students, provided holiday gifts to morethan 750 children last month. Delivering bags of new toys are (fromleft) Rogers High JROTC Corporals Kyle Nance and Robert Fulton.

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 3

Museum highlights

KathyAfflerbaughSchool BoardMember

ment is much more than passing a stan-dardized test. The definition of educa-tional achievement extends into academicsuccess; job skills and preparation;citizenship; appreciation of the arts; anddevelopment of character and values.These goals fit into the Board�s vision andstrategic directions for the District byfocusing on the �whole� of studentachievement for all children.

The role of the School Board in workingon this issue includes vision setting,establishing a successful and safe learning

environment, making sure there is ac-countability for results, and finally, usingadvocacy to build support. It is this lasttask for which I would like to be held mostaccountable. We are committed to workingwith District staff, parents, and thecommunity in reaching the achievementgoals of the District. To accomplish this,we need to keep our lines of communica-tion open at every level � from theteacher in the classroom, to the principal,to the Superintendent and to the Board.We are a District rich in resources and acommunity that values education. Let usnot lose this tradition and heritage inmeeting the demands of education andraising academic performance.

How, as a parent or interested communitymember, can you become involved? Firstand foremost, take time to becomeeducated on the complex educationalissues impacting our schools. Talk with

your child�s teacher or principal about anyconcerns you have about your child�sschool day and academic progress. Next,attend community meetings, neighborhoodmeetings, or local PTA/PTSA meetings tolearn more about what is happening inyour school and give your feedback oropinion. Attend School Board meetingsthat are held on the second and fourthMondays of every month. Log onto theDistrict�s Web site at puyallup.k12.wa.usto keep up on events and meetings. Thereare numerous ways to learn what ishappening and to voice your concerns andopinions. We, your elected SchoolDistrict Board of Directors, are dedicatedto working hard to ensure quality educa-tion for all students in this District. Wewelcome your thoughts and ideas.

Karshner Museum turns 75 years old thisyear. To celebrate, the Spotlight Players, alocal actors� group, will perform �Murderin the Museum� for seven days inMay. The event will be a dinner theaterand is scheduled May 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20,and 21. The play was written by BeckyCondra, a member of the Spotlight

Players. Audience members will have achance to interact with actors and guess�who done it.� Prizes will be awarded tothose who guess correctly.

The Museum has scheduled nearly 400class visits to support student learningthis year and continues to receive ravereviews for its child-friendly environ-ment from children and adults alike.

The next Family Day is scheduled from10 to 2 pm Saturday, March 5. Thetheme will be �Artifacts From Aroundthe World.� Admission is $3 per personor $6 per family. For additional informa-tion, contact Museum Director SteveCrowell at (253) 841-8748.

Schools help the needy through food and toy drives

Puyallup High School was one of many schools throughout the District that helped the needy throughfood or toy drives over the past several months. Puyallup High collected 25,174 items of non-perishablefood during a two-week drive organized by students in Leadership, DECA, and Family CareerCommunity Leaders of America. Principal Mike Joyner (left) writes in the final tally on a chart, whilestudents organize boxes in preparation for loading onto a truck to be taken to the Puyallup Elks Clubfor distribution to the needy.

Raising student achievement is a School Board priorityThe education of the more than 20,000students in our schools is a daunting task.We have been told by the media, commu-nity patrons, business leaders, supporters,and critics of public schools that raisingstudent achievement is the most importantchallenge facing local school boardstoday. This is a very complex issue facingthe five of us who are elected by voters torepresent the thousands of students,parents, citizens, teachers, and administra-tors in governing the Puyallup SchoolDistrict. I would like to take this opportu-nity to tell you that this issue is a priorityin our School District.

Perhaps the most important question wemust answer is, �What do we want studentachievement to mean in our SchoolDistrict?� The easy answer is success onthe Washington Assessment of StudentLearning, or what we know as the WASL.But for me personally, student achieve-

4 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

China tripcontinued from page one

They also learned that many of the Chinesestudents they met shared a number ofsimilarities with students in Puyallup andwere curious about culture in the UnitedStates. Sports and romance novels are asrelevant to the students in China, theydiscovered, as they are to the students theyteach in Puyallup.

The Puyallup group also found that seeingeducation in China up close provided newperspectives.

For Puyallup High teacher Fred Orton,exposure to a variety of schools theredemonstrated that the �one size fits all�approach to education he anticipated seeingin China was not the case. Emerald RidgeHigh teacher Cindy Watters says shecontinually finds herself drawing parallelsfrom US history and literature not only toher experiences in China, but also torelevant news items about China today.

�China no longer feels like a nation a longways across the ocean, but a tangible andmeaningful part of our global community,�says Watters, who teaches honors Americanstudies and advanced placement US history.

MacMaster says just as the Chinese arelearning about our country, Americans

must take every opportunity to learnabout China.

�By teaching about China and what weFreeman delegates learned there, I hopewe are giving our students a glimpse ofhow the United States is viewed byanother culture and what we understandthe Chinese perspective to be on issuesaffecting their own society. There will

come a time when our two countries willneed to face compelling issues. It will behelpful to have educated citizens who,while having their own opinions, also havean appreciation for a world view.�

The Freeman Foundation supported tripis only one aspect of Puyallup SchoolDistrict�s China Program. For more than14 years, the District has maintained a

Kindergarten registration for stu-dents who will enter the PuyallupSchool District for the first time infall 2005 is set for March 14 to 18.Evening registration will be heldMarch 14 from 6 to 7:30 pm, anddaytime registration is scheduledfrom March 15 to 18 from 9:30 amto 3:30 pm.

Parents should register at theirneighborhood school or at the schoolnear their daycare center. Registra-tion packets are available at elemen-tary schools the week prior toregistration. Packets cannot bereturned to schools before theregistration dates listed above and

Fall kindergarten registration is set for March 14 to 18must contain all required items.

Bring the items listed below to theschool when registering. A child willnot be registered and assigned aclassroom until the school hasreceived these necessary items:proof of the child�s birthday, such asa birth certificate (children must be5-years-old on or before August 31,2005 to be eligible to register forkindergarten); proof of address(recent utility bill, lease agreement,etc.); and proof that the child has hadthe required immunizations and whenthey were given.

State law requires that children

entering Washington public schoolsmust show proof of having had thefollowing:

Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussisvaccine: At least four doses, the lastof which must have been given on orafter the child�s fourth birthday;

Oral polio vaccine: Three doses, thelast of which must have been givenon or after age 4. Four doses arerequired if the same type of vaccine(IPV or OPV) is NOT used;

Measles: Two doses, which musthave been given on or after the firstbirthday;

Mumps and rubella: One doseeach, which must have been given onor after the first birthday;

Hepatitis B: A three-dose series ofhepatitis B vaccine will be requiredfor children entering kindergarten.

Required immunizations can beobtained from a family physician or bycontacting the Good Samaritan Immu-nization Clinic at (253) 435-3930.

A new law requires that the school benotified if a child has a life threaten-ing condition. If so, a time will bearranged for parents or guardians tomeet with the child�s school nurse.

A Tibetan woman in a Chinese market (left) inspects a bracelet purchased by Kalles Junior High teacherJeanna Kooser. Puyallup teachers and Pacific Lutheran University educators (right) see the sights inShanghai.

sister school relationship with a schoolin Shanghai. The 14th Chinese exchangeteacher from this school arrived inDecember, and the first group ofChinese student visitors are arriving theend of this month. This April, theDistrict is sending its second group ofPuyallup students to Shanghai, wherethey will be hosted by the sister school(see article on page 5).

(photos by Brooks Hazen)

Puyallup School District students studying German gather lastsummer on the steps of city hall in Dresden, Germany.

The Puyallup School District will besponsoring a student exchange with itssister school in China, the Shanghai#3 Girls School. Students from the #3School will visit Puyallup for approxi-mately two weeks at the end of thismonth. In return, the #3 School willhost 10 Puyallup students for approxi-mately 10 days over spring break inApril.

While Puyallup students are in China,they will attend classes at the #3 Schooland visit many of the sites in and aroundthe city of Shanghai. Students will missno more than four days of school andwill be accompanied by at least oneadult chaperone.

The travel fee for the program will beapproximately $1,100 to $1,400, whichwill cover a roundtrip airline ticket toShanghai, ground transportation inChina, and adult supervision. Lodging,sightseeing, and entertainment in thehost country will be provided. Studentsare responsible for their own spendingmoney and medical insurance.

Puyallup School District students whowish to participate in this trip abroadmust be at least 14 years of age by April1, 2005 and be able to obtain a passportand visa by March 15, 2005. Allow fourto six weeks to obtain a passport, whichis required before applying for a visa.The cost for a passport ranges from $50to $80. The visa process takes anadditional three to five weeks and costsapproximately $70.

Additionally, students must attend threeto four informational/orientationmeetings prior to the departure date andbe accompanied by a parent or legalguardian at a minimum of one of thesemeetings.

For additional information and anapplication form, please contactCarolyn Freudenstein, China ProgramCoordinator, at (253) 841-1599 or e-mail her at cifreud@speakeasy.net.

Students can applyfor April China trip Students in world language classes through-

out Puyallup receive an education in morethan just the words of the languages.Through the use of travel opportunities, bothat home and abroad, as well as comprehen-sive textbooks, supplemental culturalmaterials, and a trained team of teachers,students learn to speak their chosen lan-guages while also increasing their under-standing of cultural diversity in the world.

�As we in education participate in changesdesigned to improve student learning, it isreassuring to know that instruction in asecond language also continues to improveusing research-based instructionaltechniques,� says Carol Toulouse, WorldLanguage Curriculum Specialist.

A team of 30 staff members who teach sixlanguages at the District�s junior highs andhigh schools use standards-based textbookseries to provide consistent instructionamong similar courses throughout theDistrict, says Toulouse. Students have theopportunity to learn American SignLanguage, Chinese, French, German,Japanese, and Spanish.

Travel opportunities to other countries,cultural experiences in this community

such as dining in ethnic restaurants andshopping for ethnic foods, and virtual tripsvia the Internet, supplement the textbookand classroom work to help students learnto respect and enjoy the differences ofother cultures.

This spring, students studying Frenchthroughout the District will join PuyallupHigh teacher Jonathan Rouse for a 10-daytrip to France. The trip will enable them tobetter understand the uniqueness of Frenchculture and history, while comparing andcontrasting life in Puyallup. The EmeraldRidge High Spanish Club, led by CamiDevereux, will be traveling over springbreak to Honduras.

The District is also sponsoring a studentexchange this spring with its sister schoolin China, the Shanghai #3 Girls School.Students from the #3 School will come toPuyallup for approximately two weeksduring their holiday at the end of January.In return, the #3 School will host 10Puyallup students for approximately 10days over spring break in April.

In June, Rogers High School Spanish

teacher Jamie Williams will lead studentsthrough Mexico for 12 days. Students willlive with families for three of the days andvisit a variety of sites, includingGuanajuato, Patzcuaro, Morelia, MexicoCity, and Isla Mujeres (by Cancun).

Last spring, students from the District�spartner school, Gymnasium Langenhagennear Hanover, Germany, spent four weekswith Puyallup host families. Then in June,13 Puyallup students accompanied byEmerald Ridge High School Germanteacher Rebecca Hagerman traveled toGermany as part of the German AmericanPartnership Program.

Students lived with German students�families, sharing in their daily life andattending school and social functions. Theirtrip itinerary took them to the VW Museumin Wolfsburg, Hamburg Harbor, the Rhine,Lake Constance, Munich, and Berlin.

�Staying with German families gave thema perspective the ordinary tourist does notget,� says Hagerman. �It was an opportu-nity to gain a better understanding of thelanguage and the culture.�

World languages provide diversified educationCelebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 5

Carol Toulouse shares aboutWorld Languages at last fall�sPuyallup Fair.

(photo by Rebecca Hagerman)

6 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

School bond updateNew junior high designs foster teaming and flexibility

Artist�s rendering of the new Kalles and Aylen junior high schools.(drawing courtesy of Northwest Architectural Company)

Transforming words and ideas from aneducational plan for junior high schoolsinto a building design showing walls andhalls has been a fascinating process toKalles Junior High Principal RichBoerner. To design a school building thatdrives aspects of student learning has beenexciting for Aylen Principal Mike Warr.

Along with members of their staff, thetwo principals have been workingtogether with architects to design theirnew schools in tandem. The BondOversight Committee recommended andthe School Board decided that it wouldbe less expensive and less disruptive torebuild rather than remodel Kalles andAylen junior high schools. The schoolscould also be designed to better serve thestudents� educational needs for the next30 to 50 years.

According to Casey Cox, Capital ProjectsEducational Planner, �Both groups haddifferent options for school designs.� Butalmost by coincidence, the staff at Kallesand Aylen both chose the same schooldesign, which allowed for new opportuni-ties for the two schools to pool theirresources and plan the school designstogether. Having the same design alsohelps achieve certain cost efficiencies.

�I�m proud that our schools are workingtogether as a team,� says Cox. �This isproviding a more global approach tojunior high education, which creates astronger design that will be more func-tional and flexible over the next severaldecades.�

The new Kalles Junior High is scheduledto open in September 2007. Aylen is slatedto open in September 2009. Adds Cox,�The two projects are both proceedingright on schedule.�

One of the most distinctive features ofthe new schools is the �house� concept.The school will be divided into threeself-contained houses, or wings. Thesehouses can join students by grade level,with each house containing all subjectsfor the grade level. Says Warr, �We�re

really excited about the house conceptand how it can foster teaming andintegration between classes.�

In fact, the junior high schools aredeveloping teaming partnerships; forexample, language arts with social studies,and math with science. �We�re buildingthe capacity to know how to integratethese subjects,� says Boerner. �Ourteachers are researching best practices andproject-based learning opportunities. Ourintent is to be well under way with teamingstrategies by the time we move into thebuilding that facilitates these approaches.�

�To do the physical teaming, your struc-ture can either limit or expand youropportunities,� adds Warr. �We�re hopingto have at least two classrooms in whichthe walls are removable. This kind ofintegration and flexibility fits into whatwe�re trying to accomplish with thereading, writing, math, and other skillsacross the curriculum.� In turn, suchintegration supports achievement on theWashington Assessment of StudentLearning (WASL).

The house concept is also expected toprovide students with a greater sense ofidentity. Research shows that junior-high-aged students are more successful in suchsmaller group settings. �The houses shrinkthe school down in size, and the studentsare moving within a smaller area with theirpeers,� says Boerner. �Instead of 1 in 900students, you�re 1 in 300. There�s a morepersonal feel within your house. Studentsbecome better known within their group,and they feel more connected to school.�

Furthermore, each house will have its ownspecial education resources, and its ownscience lab, which will support theachievement of higher science require-ments.

The school design includes an abundanceof windows, capitalizing on the positiveeffects of natural lighting. Says Boerner,�The interior will be very bright and open,creating a learning environment that feelssafe, warm, and positive.�

The public will also see direct benefits tothe new junior high design. Community

access areas, such as the library, gymna-sium, and weight rooms are more conve-niently located for evening use.

While the layout of the schools will bephysically identical, the two junior highschools will each still have their ownidentity. Kalles will have their Tyeemascot and colors, while Aylen will retainits Falcon theme. They will each alsochoose their own furniture and tile.

Boerner and the Kalles staff are enthusias-tic about the school planning processthey�re engaged in, starting with thecreation of the educational plans and theresulting schematic drawings. Now thatthey�re in the design development phase,the team is energized to see their ideastaking shape in drawings that haveincreasing levels of detail.

Adds Warr, �The Aylen staff is reallyexcited that we have the opportunity todesign a new junior high school. The newschool will make learning opportunitiesavailable to our students that will helpthem achieve higher standards.�

Rogers High School pool will be closed for improvements April 4 to 8and May 28 to July 4.

Elementary Boundary StudyCommittee meetings under way

The following is a regularfeature that appears in eachissue of Connections, updatingthe community of progress madeon the $198.5 million schoolbond approved by voters inFebruary 2004.

Projects completed� Design for addition and remodel of

Fruitland and Meeker elementaryschools

� District education plans for juniorhigh schools

Projects under way� Design for Elementary #22 and #23

� Design for the rebuild of Aylen andKalles junior highs

� Delivery of 1,200 laptop computersand Information-CommunicationStations and associated training forteachers

� Boundary study for Elementary #22and #23

� Master planning for Junior High #7,to be located next to Emerald RidgeHigh School

Future projects� Construction begins on Fruitland

Elementary addition in June 2005

� Construction begins on MeekerElementary addition and remodel inJuly 2005

from May 28 to July 4.

A portable lift system was installed inSeptember. This system helps students inwheelchairs get in and out of the poolmore easily.

These improvements are being funded by

the bond passed by voters in February2004 as part of general Districtwideinfrastructure upgrades.

According to Heather Hoskins, RogersHigh physical education teacher and swimcoach, �Swimmers are going to be so muchmore comfortable after these improvementsare made. The system hasn�t been right for avery long time.� Starting as a Rogers Highstudent lifeguard, Hoskins has beeninvolved with the pool since it opened in themid-1980s. �And in the summer, thelifeguards are on deck sweating. With thecurrent system, it gets so hot in here.�

The Rogers Aquatic Center is used byRogers High students for their physicaleducation programs and swim meets. It�salso widely used by the community. Peoplevisit the pool regularly for swimminglessons, water aerobics classes, to swimlaps, and to just play.

When the Rogers Aquatic Center reopenson Sunday, July 5, community poolpatrons will experience an improved levelof comfort and safety. Says Emery, �Weare all looking forward to the new heatingand ventilation improvements.� AddsHoskins, �The temperature level in herewill be so much better.�

About two dozen parents and educatorsmeet early in the morning to gatherinformation, discuss, study maps, anddeliberate. This is the South Hill Elemen-tary School Boundary Study Committee,charged by the School Board to developrecommendations for boundaries for theDistrict�s two new elementary schools.The committee meets about every twoweeks and has already accomplishedseveral objectives.

Linda Quinn, Director of AdministrativeServices, facilitates the committeemeetings. �At our first meeting in mid-November, we reviewed certain �givens�� or assumptions � regarding theboundary study,� says Quinn. These

assumptions included data such as thecurrent enrollment of Brouillet, Pope, andHunt, and the planned locations ofElementary #22 and #23.

The mission of the committee is todetermine the attendance boundaries thatwill be implemented in September 2007for five South Hill elementary schools,including three large existing schools(Hunt, Pope, and Brouillet) and the twonew elementary schools (#22 and #23)that are scheduled to open in 2007.Through this process, the overarching goalof the committee is to create the bestpossible learning environments for the

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 7

Rogers pool to be upgraded this spring and summerIt�s too cold in the winter and it�s oppres-sively hot in the summer, even when theweather outside is mild.

According to Dave Emery, Rogers AquaticCenter Manager, �At the present time wehave no real control of the air temperature orhumidity, which are two very importantcomfort items. For the most part, we justhave to tolerate cold winters and hot humidsummers. Our air is heated by our poolwater � which is very inefficient and costly.�

However, by early July, these conditionswill be a thing of the past. The RogersAquatic Center is being upgraded thisspring and summer. �We�re replacingmechanical systems to redo the entireheating and ventilation system,� says WillSamuelson, Construction Supervisor.�We�ll enclose the weightlifting area andthe therapy pool, so they�ll be separaterooms from the pool area itself. The firealarm is also being tied into the existingcampus system in a better way.�

Design drawings were finalized in mid-December, and the project is currently in theagency review phase. The work will takeplace during the center�s normal shutdownperiod at spring break, April 4 through April8. In the summer, the work will continue

continued on page 8

8 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Computer programs help students excel in math Boundary study

greatest number of children whilemaximizing favorable impacts on thecommunity.

Adds Quinn, �With their mission inmind, the committee completed its firsttask right away � developing a list ofcriteria to be used to define a goodboundary. These standards will be usedto evaluate any boundary proposal puton the table for consideration.�

The committee agreed upon the follow-ing criteria, specifying that goodboundaries will do the following:

� Balance enrollment in terms of thenumber of students in each school.

� Balance enrollment in terms of�diversity� � economic and ethnicmix � in each school.

� Take into account junior high andhigh school feeder patterns, movingtoward the ideal of keeping groupsof students together as they progressthrough school.

� Have a positive effect on junior highand high school enrollment.

� Respect natural geography.

� Consider existing and future roads tocreate the best possible transporta-tion routes.

� Create safest possible walking areas.

� Limit the amount of time studentsspend getting to and coming homefrom school.

� Maintain the integrity of neighbor-hoods.

� Maximize favorable impact onfamilies.

Preliminary boundary recommendationswill be presented in February or March tothe School Board and in public hearings.A final recommendation to the Board isexpected by the beginning of May.

Walker High School students areenthusiastically embracing their algebralessons with the help of new technologyimplemented in the classroom this year.Groups of students discuss their weeklyreal-world algebra problem as a team.Then they separate to their individualcomputers to study algebra lessonsaccording to their current level.

It�s a similar story at Aylen Junior High,where students who had fallen behindtheir grade level in math are now master-ing the concepts and skills they need byworking through individualized mathlessons on laptops.

Each day, Aylen students stop at thelaptop cart in their math lab class, pickup their assigned computer, and log in totheir math lesson for the day. They workon lessons that are especially designedfor them and get additional help fromteachers or paraeducators in the labwhen necessary.

These are just two examples of howtechnology is currently being used in theclassroom to provide lessons uniquelytailored for the student�s needs.

All the District junior high schools areequipped with the AutoSkill Academy ofMath software and associated laptop cartand server computer. The 20-stationlaptop cart, which was purchased withfunds from the bond passed by voters inFebruary 2004, can be moved to differ-ent locations within the school. Studentswho are striving to achieve their gradelevel in math are the primary candidatesfor the AutoSkill Academy of Math.

�AutoSkill is recognized by the U.S.Department of Education as a bestpractices program and has an outstandingsuccess rate,� says Leon Johnson, Assis-tant Director of Special Services. �Mathlessons are delivered to each student basedon the student�s individual ability. As thestudent gains success, the system adjustsand prescribes the next lessons in asequence that the student needs. If thestudent needs re-teaching before moving

on to the next lesson, another lesson ispresented that covers the material using adifferent method or approach.�

Some junior high schools use theAutoSkill program as a math lab supple-menting the student�s regularly sequencedmath class. Other junior high schools useit as a replacement for the regularlysequenced math class. Students start outworking to catch up to the level of theirpeers. Gradually they�re able to acceler-ate until they�re at or even beyond theirgrade level.

�When students work at their AutoSkillmath lessons,� says Johnson, �they seesuccesses in areas where they have reallystruggled in the past.�

At Walker High School, algebra classesuse a program called Cognitive Tutor.

�This program allows kids to move at theirown pace through various tutorials,� saysPrincipal Aileen Baxter. �It tracks what thekids know, and prompts them to different

screens based on previous answers.�

But more than just self-paced learning on thecomputer, the lessons in Cognitive Tutor arecombined with effective collaborativelearning. Given a real-life relevant problemthat requires algebra to find the solution,student teams work together, sharing theirknowledge of algebra and problem-solvingskills. First the students communicate theirsolutions to the others on their team, andthen they demonstrate and explain theirsolution to the rest of the class.

�It�s an amazing program,� says Baxter.�This cooperative learning aspect com-bined with Cognitive Tutor has created alot of success with our kids.�

A third example of technology on thehorizon is the EXCENT software, whichwill help special education teachers createand track individual education plans(IEPs) for their students. With the IEPprocess more automated, teachers canspend less time on paperwork and moretime helping their students learn.

(continued from page 7)

Aylen Junior High students in Laurie Hamilton�s class use laptopcomputers to complete math lessons.

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 9

The Puyallup School District has receivedstatewide recognition for its efforts topromote and value diversity andmulticultural education in its schools andcommunity.

The Washington State School Directors�Association (WSSDA) presented the SchoolBoard with a �2004 Diversity Award� in theform of a certificate during the Board�sregular meeting on January 10. The plaquewill hang in the District�s administrativeoffice in downtown Puyallup.

Puyallup was one of two districts state-wide to receive the honor. BridgeportSchool District also learned at WSSDA�sannual conference in November that itwould be a recipient this year. The awardsprogram, now in its eleventh year, iscoordinated by WSSDA�s Diversity-Multicultural Advocacy Team.

�This award is the result of everyone�scommitment to make our District a placewhere all people can feel welcome andstrive to achieve their best,� says Directorof Diversity Affairs Marya A. Gingrey.

Districts that apply for the award submitan essay describing the steps they havetaken to implement the state ofWashington�s Joint Policy on Equity inEducation. The policy emphasizes

State recognizes District for promoting diversity

fairness, openness, and equitable accessfor all students in public schools byeliminating prejudice, bigotry, anddiscrimination, addressing racial integra-tion and language needs, hiring a diversestaff, and involving the community.

Puyallup was selected to receive a

WSSDA Diversity Award in the categoryof districts with more than 10,000students (the District enrolls slightly morethan 20,000). In its essay, the Districtnoted that it has taken �giant stepsforward� in the past two years in its questto eliminate prejudice, bigotry, anddiscrimination. These steps include

establishment of an Office of DiversityAffairs and a Superintendent�s Cabinetposition focused totally on diversity issues;inclusion of �ensuring equity and equalopportunity� as one of the four strategicdirections that guide all District decisionsand efforts; and a comprehensive reviewand update of District policies to eliminateprejudice and discrimination.

The District also cited a number of newor expanded programs, including amulticultural read-aloud curriculum thatintegrates 26 books into a culturalawareness series for elementary studentsand a Learning Circles program toaddress the needs of Native Americanstudents. An Ethnic Minority ParentCommunity Council was formed to advisethe Superintendent�s Cabinet and increasecommunication, and it partnered with theTacoma Urban League to conductworkshops aimed at helping parents bemore involved with their children�sacademic growth.

Other activities include the creation of anew District-level coordinator for EnglishLanguage Learner (ELL) programs,creation of a Recruitment SteeringCommittee to focus on hiring and retaininga diverse staff, and increased staff trainingon issues and strategies related to diversityand equity.

Wildwood Elementary studentsparticipate in kids marathonEighteen second graders from Wildwood Elementary Schoolrecently ran in the Seattle Kids Marathon. The students ran 25 milesaround their school playground, then completed the 26th mile inSeattle with 3,000 other children from the Puget Sound area. Eachparticipant also had to read 13 books and do 13 good deeds. Theevent was a benefit for The Children�s Cancer Foundation of PugetSound.

(photo by Joan Stluka)

(From left): Teacher Elissa Dornan and students Jenna Mullen,Kenidy Peterman, Kaitlin Dooley, McKenna Cardwell, AudreySaelens, Dara Helgren, Katie O�Bryant, Jacob Anderson, JanethCruz-Rocha, and Chloe Cane.

The Puyallup School District Board of Directors receives a 2004Diversity Award from the Washington State School Directors�Association (WSSDA). (From left): Director Greg Heath; VicePresident Diana Seeley; President Bruce Dammeier; ConnieRickman, member of WSSDA�s Diversity-Multicultural AdvocacyTeam; Director Kathy Afflerbaugh; and Director Lloyd Freudenstein.

10 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Apostle completes first six months as superintendent

Superintendent Tony Apostle sings �Be True to Your School� withSchool Board member Greg Heath and Puyallup EducationAssociation President Margaret Langston.

To get to know Superintendent TonyApostle, simply ask the first and secondgraders in Amy Hedges� class at FirgroveElementary.

They will say he is funny and smart, likesfootball and the color blue, doesn�t have amiddle name, loves being a dad, and enjoyshusky dogs, Greek salad, and the beach.

Oh yes. One more really important thing.He wants every school kid in Puyallup tobe successful and will work hard to try andmake that happen.

The young students became buddies withApostle this fall after Hedges invited thenew superintendent to be a VIP for theweek in her Puyallup Family Co-op multi-age class. Once Apostle accepted, he wasgiven the same homework assignment thatevery student VIP receives � a poster withlines to write his favorite things and three�super cool facts� to share with the class.

Apostle�s folksy style was a hit withthe students, who asked lots of ques-tions and giggled when he askedthem to try and pronounce

�supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.� Whenasked his age, the former high schoolteacher and principal gave students aquick math challenge by asking them tosubtract the year he was born (1951) from2004. Then just before the afternoonschool bell rang, Apostle had all thestudents put their hands together in thecenter of a circle for a �team� cheer beforethey headed for the school bus.

Apostle, who spent thepast 14 years as anadministrator in thisDistrict, set the tone forhis first year as the newschools chief with a kick-off rally the day beforeschool opened. More than2,000 staff membersfilled the bleachers atSparks Stadium, whereupbeat music blared fromloudspeakers, schoolcheers and bannersdisplayed school pride,and Apostle gave a briefwelcome and thankedstaff members for theirhard work.

�Tony has truly hit theground running,� saysBoard President BruceDammeier. �In his shorttenure, he has madesignificant progressrallying the staff andstrengthening relationshipsbetween central adminis-tration and the schools.Most importantly, he iscommitted to addressingstudent achievement andother challenges head-on.�

Apostle and the Board have made it clearthat academic achievement and preparingstudents to meet state-mandated graduationrequirements in 2008 and beyond is a toppriority. In the next four years, studentsmust pass the tenth-grade WashingtonAssessment of Student Learning (WASL) toearn a Certificate of Academic Achieve-ment and be eligible to graduate.

�It�s a lofty goal to attain 100 percent ofstudents meeting proficiency in 2008, but Iam committed to doing all that I can andproviding the necessary resources toprovide remedial intervention and tutoringto students who are not meeting standard� It�s no longer acceptable or permissibleto let children drop out of school or fail,�says Apostle.

That may mean making some tough

choices, he says, both in classes offered andhow time is spent during the school day.

The issue of how time is spent during theschool day launched Apostle into themedia spotlight in October when hedirected staff not to observe Halloweenduring regular school hours. The decisiondrew national media attention, a standing-room only crowd at an October SchoolBoard meeting, and hundreds of phonecalls to the District office.

During an interview several weeks later,Apostle said, �What I learned from thatexperience is the tremendous outpouring ofsupport from the community and the SchoolBoard. What resonated for me is we reallycare about what kids learn and must workhard every day to protect the instructionalday from distractions and interruptions.�

Since assuming his new job as superin-tendent last June, Apostle has made it apriority for himself and the 13 adminis-trators who make up his Cabinet to bevisible, approachable, and involved inthe 31 schools throughout the District.He regularly visits classes such asHedges� room at Firgrove Elementaryand has started a new program whereCabinet members are assigned to visitschools throughout the District at leastonce each week. �This will be a sus-tained activity, not a first year assuperintendent activity,� he says.

continued on page 11(photo courtesy of Gary McCutcheon)

A �VIP� for the week, Superintendent TonyApostle shares �super cool facts� abouthimself with first and second graders in AmyHedges� class.

.

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 11

Apostlecontinued from page 10

In addition to focusing on studentachievement, Apostle says he is commit-ted to fulfilling injunctive relief require-ments included in a racial discriminationlawsuit settled in 2002. �Making thisSchool District more inclusive to theincreasingly diverse community is a highpriority for me.�

Earlier this month, the Washington StateSchool Directors� Association awardedthe School Board a 2004 Diversity Awardfor its efforts in promoting and valuingdiversity and multicultural education inthe schools and community (see article onpage 9).

Apostle�s proactive approach to diversityhas won him accolades from ThomasDixon, president emeritus of the TacomaUrban League and founding member of theTacoma-Pierce County Black Collective.Dixon was one of 25 people invited to siton a panel that listened to the School Boardinterview the three superintendent finalists.

�Tony appreciates the diverse makeup ofthe District and is exceptionally qualifiedto move it in the right direction andresolve the friction so that students can beeducated, responsible citizens,� saysDixon. �He has a tough job ahead of him,but I am confident he will continue toadvance diversity by keeping his hand onthe plough. He says what he means, and hemeans what he says.�

Apostle has also called for annual staffevaluations, as well as a comprehensivebond communications program so thecommunity stays informed of capitalprojects approved by voters in the 2004school bond.

�I think Tony is really diving head firstinto the position and he is reaching outinto the community,� says Puyallup PTACouncil President Dori Tate.

Apostle and his wife of 14 years, Lori,have a strong base of friends and family inPuyallup, where they have lived since2000. Their two daughters � Mala, asixth grader, and Elena, a fifth grader �

attend Meeker Elementary School, whereLori teaches third grade. Some of hisdaughters� artwork, including colorfulpaintings of a caterpillar and flowers,grace his office walls on the second floorof the District�s administrative center.

by keeping a wooden replica of a P-38Lightning � one of the most versatileaircraft used in World War II � on acounter behind his desk.

As he faces tests of his own in the flightseat as superintendent, Apostle says hesometimes glances back at the woodenaircraft to remind himself that his chal-lenges �fall far short of the extremely life-threatening and dangerous mission thesepilots experienced to protect our free-doms. These pilots and all other militaryverterans are my heroes.�

Apostle started his teaching career as anEnglish teacher at Clover Park HighSchool. Both of his brothers are alsoeducators. Alex is a former assistantsuperintendent in the Tacoma SchoolDistrict, and Paul was recently appointeddirector of human resources in Tacomaafter serving 14 years as principal atWilson High School.

The new schools chief completed hisundergraduate work at the University ofWashington, where he was a running backon the UW Husky football team from 1970-

72 and completed his master�s and doctoraldegrees at Washington State University.While he cheers on both teams during theyear, he sides with the Huskies during theannual Apple Cup and proudly displaysseveral purple and gold items, including atwo-toned golf ball, in his office.

He jogs the streets from Sparks Stadium tothe Washington State University Coopera-tive Extension four times a week, enjoysworking around the house, and findsrelaxation beachcombing with his familyalong the Puget Sound. He is fascinated byMount Rainier, calling it �a central pointin my perspective of the natural beauty inWestern Washington� and one that helooks for each day.

Recognizing his love for the mountain,Apostle�s father-in-law and formerPuyallup School District Athletic Director,Ray Barnes, surprised him with a set of oilpaintings depicting the majestic peak. Thepaintings hang on the east wall of hisoffice in about the same spot where themountain would be visible. FormerSumner School District Superintendent Dr.Dick Weathermon, who painted themountain scenes and has work displayedat art galleries in the Puget Sound and inAlaska, was on hand at Apostle�s officethis summer when Barnes presented thegift to his son-in-law.

When asked who besides his family hasbeen the most influential in his life,Apostle points to Seattle resident TomRuff, a retired professor who spent 34years at WSU and assisted about 35graduate students in the department ofteaching and learning. Apostle says Ruffencouraged him to continue his doctoratework, even when he doubted himself. �Hehad faith in me and provided me withtremendous support.�

Ruff, who says he turned down moregraduate students than he accepted,remembers Apostle as �bright and verypersonable.�

�I only took people I thought would make adifference and complete the program. Henot only has good ideas, but he can put theminto practice. Back then I knew he would bea state leader in education. I expected hewould become a superintendent.�

�I think Tony is really divinghead first into the position andhe is reaching out into thecommunity.�

Dori TatePuyallup PTA Council President

The Wilson High School graduate hasstrong family roots in Tacoma, where hisgrandparents immigrated from Greece in1910 to work on the Northern PacificRailroad. Apostle�s mother, a Greekimmigrant, stayed at home and his father,a World War II veteran, worked as a bakerand in later years as a truck driver for alaundry company in Tacoma. Both of hisparents are deceased, but Apostle isreminded of his father�s military serviceand his own fascination with fighter jets

New schools superintendent Tony Apostle received a gift for hisoffice � a set of oil paintings of Mount Rainier � from his father-in-law (right) Ray Barnes. Joining them is the artist and former SumnerSchools Superintendent Dr. Dick Weathermon.

Student athletes excel in fall sports seasonFrom the football field to the links, andfrom the cross-country track to the soccerfield, student athletes received recognitionfor excelling in their sports and in theirclassrooms during the fall sports season.

The Puyallup High School football team,led by head coach Tom Ingles, showedearly on they were a force to be reckonedwith. The Vikings clinched the SouthPuget Sound League (SPSL) SouthernDivision title with a flawless 10-0 record,including a big win in October over theBethel Braves, ending that team�s 33-game winning streak in the regular season.

Even though Puyallup�s grid iron effortswere halted in the second round of stateplayoffs, they were nonetheless honoredlast month for their regular season achieve-ments on and off the field by being namedthe recipients of the 2004 Daffodil Cup.The Daffodil Cup is awarded annually to aparticipating Pierce County High Schoolfootball team that has the best win/lossrecord and the highest grade point average.

In other football news, Emerald RidgeHigh head coach Kelly Susee was namedhigh school football coach of the year byboth the SPSL and the Tacoma NewsTribune. This recognition was especiallynoteworthy since Susee had a lownumber of students turn out for the teamthis year and many of the players had toplay both offense and defense. �To holdon and win games with a low number ofkids is a testimony tohis coaching ability,�says School DistrictAthletic DirectorRick Wells.

The two-timedefending statechampion RogersRams girls swimmingand diving team captured a fifth placeteam finish this fall at the 2004 Washing-ton Interscholastic Activities Association(WIAA) girl�s 4A swimming and divingmeet at the King County Aquatic Center.The Rams 200-meter medley relay teamtook first place during that meet. EmeraldRidge High senior Bailey Kuestermeyeralso qualified for her fourth consecutivestate appearance in WIAA swimming.

On the links, Puyallup High�s boys andEmerald Ridge High�s girls golfcaptured the SPSL championship, eachwith a 9-1 record. Several individualgolfers from all three high schools willadvance to the state tourney this spring.

All eyes were also on girls soccer thisyear, and the Vikings advanced fartherthan ever before in state playoffs.Puyallup finished second in the SPSLSouth and advanced to the statequarterfinals before losing to theeventual state champion BellarminePrep. Senior Rachael Kimball wasnamed the SPSL�s Most Valuable Playerand her coach, Mark Harris, won SPSLgirls soccer coach of the year. EmeraldRidge High�s soccer team qualified forthe first round of the state tournament.

Girls and boys also excelled in crosscountry, both on and off the course. ThePuyallup girls team captured a spot inthe state tournament, where they placed13th overall, and several individualrunners from all three high schools alsoparticipated in the state meet in Pasco(see related feature article on ChelsieJorgensen on page 13). Puyallup coachMichele Mathay was also featured onKing 5 Sports Blitz�s �Coaches ThatMake a Difference� program.

The Emerald Ridge High varsity girlscross country team received staterecognition by being named the academicstate champions for the 2004 season. Thenine runners, led by coaches Shane Slivaand Gary Osborne, achieved a teamgrade point average of 3.913 for thesecond semester of the 2003-04 schoolyear. �This very high honor is indicativeof those who have not only achievedsignificant success on the cross countrycourse, but also demonstrate the higheststandards of leadership in the class-room,� says Wells.

The Jags volleyball team also receivedaccolades this year, finishing fourth inthe state volleyball tournament.

In boys tennis, Puyallup High doublesteam Konnor Ayris and Scott Sullivanwent undefeated with a 20-0 record inthe regular season, capturing the SPSLdoubles title and qualifying them for thestate doubles tournament this spring.

Sportsmanship awards were handed outthis year to the Emerald Ridge High�sboys tennis team and the Rogers High fallathletic program. Additionally, PuyallupHigh Athletic Coordinator Jeff Kindle wasunanimously chosen as the SPSL AthleticDirector of the Year for 2004-05.

District offers freeand reduced schoolmealsFree and reduced school meals areavailable for children from familieswith financial need.

To apply, visit the Puyallup SchoolDistrict Web site atwww.puyallup.k12.wa.us, click onfood services, then click on free lunchapplication. Applications are ac-cepted throughout the school year andare also available at each of theDistrict�s 31 school sites, as well as atthe food services office, 1501 39th

Avenue SW, Puyallup.

For more information or assistance inthe application process, contact foodservices at (253) 841-8773.

The District�s food services Web sitealso contains school lunch menus andnutritional information.

The annual Soup and Salad Suppersponsored by the School District�sfood services department is scheduledfrom 4 to 7 pm Friday February 4 atAylen Junior High School, 101 15th

Street SW in Puyallup.

Proceeds from the event support highschool student scholarships. The mealcosts $6 for adults and $5 for seniorcitizens and children 12 years andyounger. This year�s menu featuresvegetable and clam chowder soups,salad bar, dinner roll, dessert, andcoffee or punch.

Tickets can be purchased at the dooror in advance from any SchoolDistrict food service staff member.

Annual Soup andSalad Supper setfor February 4

Puyallup High School quarterback Johnny Spevak hands off torunning back Makai Borden. (photo by Rachel Bayne)

12 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Rick Wells

Students in grades nine through 12who volunteer 145 or more hoursduring an academic year can receive aschool letter in community service,similar to a letter earned by studentathletes and musicians, through aprogram offered by the United Way ofPierce County.

The letter recognizes and rewardsPierce County high school students fortheir volunteer efforts with localnonprofit organizations and theirschools. Home-schooled studentsaffiliated with school districts are alsoeligible to apply.

Community service letters available to students in grades 9 through 12Hours must be served between April 1,2004 and April 1, 2005, and at least 50of the 145 hours must be in a non-school related activity unaffiliated withthe high school. Community service forthis purpose is defined as voluntarilyassisting others at a nonprofit organiza-tion without receiving compensation orschool credit.

�This is a great opportunity for studentsto be recognized for their efforts toprovide service to their school andcommunity,� says Pam Larsen, CareerSpecialist at Rogers High School. Thedistinction can also be highlighted on a

student�s resume for college andscholarship applications.

Students who meet the communityservice requirements may apply bycompleting a student applicantinformation form and a verificationform for each organization, signedby the adult supervisor where theservice was performed. Applicationsand service logs are available incareer centers at Rogers, Puyallup,and Emerald Ridge high schools, aswell as online at www.uwpc.org/volunteer/youth_united.htm. Careercenters also have information on

volunteer opportunities.

Completed packets should be post-marked no later than April 8, 2005 andsent to United Way of Pierce County,Attn: LCS, P.O. Box 2215, Tacoma, WA98402. After validating the hours ofcommunity service, students receive acertificate announcing the letter incommunity service and the letter itself,which can be displayed prominently ona lettermen�s jacket or other location.Students also receive a patch designat-ing that the letter was earned in serviceto the community. There is no cost forthis program.

She�s only seen it a few times in her 21years as a cross country coach. Andwhen it happens, it causes bystanders toshake their heads in disbelief.

It�s natural talent, plain and simple. Thekind where a runner can go longdistances, seemingly effortlessly, andend a race barely winded.

Puyallup High School sophomoreChelsie Jorgensen is one of those raretalents. The bubbly brunette, who joinedthe Vikings this year after running crosscountry at Kalles Junior High, hascaptured titles and awards this fall thatare usually reserved for establishedrunners several years her senior.

Her stats tell the story.

Jorgensen set a school record as thefastest runner on the 2.75 mile Wild-wood Park course, considered thehilliest course in the South Puget SoundLeague (SPSL) South Division. Hertime of 17 minutes 50 seconds alsoearned her the distinction of being theeighth fastest runner on that courseamong SPSL schools that have com-peted there over the past 22 years.

The 16-year-old, voted by her coachingstaff as this year�s Rookie of the Year, alsotook first place at the Edmonds Invitational,an event that attracts about 200 top runnersstatewide. �To have a novice runner go to

her first invitational and beat everyone, thatis pretty amazing,� says her coach, MicheleMathay. Jorgensen ran the 2.2 mile race in13 minutes, 13 seconds. Senior and teamcaptain Lyndsey McKillip, one ofJorgensen�s closest competitors, followedin ninth place with a 13:33 finish.

Other noteworthy accomplishments forthe tenth-grader this year include takingsecond place in the SPSL; first in her age

group in the Federal Way Turkey Trot 5Krun; ninth among 160 competitors in a 3.1mile race at the West Central District meetat American Lake; 19th overall at the statecross country championship meet in Pascoand, as one of the top 20 in Washington,securing a spot in the Border Clash run inPortland; and being named Athlete of theWeek by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

�She had to run against amazing talent allyear long, and she has had a super season,�says Mathay. �At the end of a race, she�susually there congratulating people at thefinish line and doesn�t look like she�sbreathing hard at all. It doesn�t occur to herto be exhausted.�

Jorgensen doesn�t take her talent forgranted. She is conditioning for trackthis spring by working out at 5:30 ambefore school, then running after school.During the summer, she typically runssix to eight miles a day � five miles inthe morning and the rest at night �inpreparation for cross country.

The Viking started running track in sixthgrade and cross country in seventhgrade. She credits Mathay and her crosscountry coach at Kalles, SandyMonaghan, with helping her to train andpushing her to do her best.

�When I run, I feel kind of like a horse,�says Jorgensen. �I can go anywhere Iwant and run as far as I want.�

Sophomore runs away with cross country titles

Chelsie Jorgensen

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 13

(photo by Walter Mathay)

Schools team withcommunity to maketsunami relief Health KitsIn an effort to help victims in the tragicaftermath of the deadly tsunami insouthern Asia, Puyallup schools willjoin with faith organizations, businesses,and the greater Puyallup community in alarge-scale collection of items for�Health Kits.� Items will be collectedfrom January 24 throughFebruary 4, and schoolswill serve as drop-offpoints for donations.

Items needed include:hand towels, washcloths,combs, metal nail filesor nail clippers, bath-size bars of soap,toothbrushes, 4-7 ounce tubes oftoothpaste, standard-size Band-Aids,and one gallon zip closure plasticbaggies. The goal is to collect enoughitems to fill 10,000 Health Kits, whichwill be assembled by students andcommunity members.

Financial donations are also beingaccepted and processed throughCommunities in Schools of Puyallup(checks can be made out to CISP andmailed to 302 Second Street SE,Puyallup, WA 98372). One hundredpercent of all donations will go to thisrelief project. Health Kits will betransported to Asia through ChurchWorld Service, an internationalhumanitarian agency.

Advance students get on-the-job training Puyallup FamilyCo-op sets tours andinformation nights

The Puyallup Family Co-op is provid-ing tours and information nights aboutits program for the 2005-06 school year.

The Co-op, located at Firgrove Elemen-tary School, is an educational programfor students in kindergarten throughgrade six which emphasizes regularparental involvement in a multi-ageclassroom environment. The choiceeducational program is open to allchildren residing in the Puyallup SchoolDistrict.

To apply, interested parents or guard-ians must attend a classroom tour andan information meeting, fill out anapplication and parent participationagreement, and complete a request fortransfer form if Firgrove Elementary isnot the child�s resident school.

Tours will be held from 9:30 to 10:30am January 28, February 9 and 25, andMarch 2 and 18.

Information meetings are scheduled at6:30 pm February 15, 6 pm March 9,and 7 pm March 28 in the FirgroveElementary library.

Application information must besubmitted by March 31. Currentlyenrolled Co-op students and theirsiblings have priority registration. Newfamilies will be placed in a lottery anddrawn on April 11.

If more applicants than openings occur,a waiting list will be established andfamilies will be notified when openingsoccur.

Additional information about theprogram may be obtained by callingFirgrove Elementary at (253) 841-8733.

14 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Jayme Cline likes her job training so muchshe even chooses to come in on her days off.

At the Puyallup Main Street Association,the 20-year-old is all smiles as she doesdata entry, answers phones, and sometimesmakes deliveries to other businesses indowntown Puyallup. �I really like typing,so I thought this would be a good job forme,� she says. �It�s fun.�

Across town at the Good SamaritanHospital print shop, Bradley Ruet is busyfolding and collating booklets and helpinghis supervisor box documents as theycome off the press.

Ruet, 20, is never late to work, is alwayspositive and upbeat, and can�t helpenough, say his supervisors.

Cline and Ruet are among 15 studentsages 18 to 21 who participate in on-the-job training as part of their academicplan in the School District�s Advanceprogram.

In its second year, Advance helps studentswith employment training and residentialskills, as well as opportunities for recre-ation and leisure activities that promotelifelong learning.

Maria Ramos, office manager with thePuyallup Main Street Association, hashelped train several Advance students overthe past year and says their help isinvaluable. In reference to Cline, she

says, �I briefly showedher how to work thephone and she jumpedright in. She works wellindependently and isdoing great with multi-tasking.�

Generally studentsspend about 10 weeksat a job training sitebefore moving on to tryout other potentialcareers, says leadteacher Lanny Gleason.Many of the studentsride the bus from theprogram�s home baseon East Main Street totheir training sites.

Advance is set up sothat three days a weekstudents work on

Advance student Bradley Ruet assists lead printer, Jenny Boulet, atthe Good Samaritan Print Shop.

Jayme Cline frequently does data entry as partof her job training at the Puyallup Main StreetAssociation.

learning academic and vocational skills.They complete assignments in core classessuch as English and math and visit thetraining sites, which are selected afterstudents determine their career interestsand take aptitude assessments.

Each Wednesday is set aside for fieldtrips and guest speakers. Outings includetours of community colleges or businessand industry sites, as well as localattractions such as Flaming Geyser StatePark. The program also routinely invitesguest speakers from agencies such as theAmerican Red Cross, Puyallup PoliceDepartment, and Good SamaritanHospital.

The young adults also have one day wherethey work on projects and portfolios, aswell as doing recreation and leisureactivities such as bowling or cooking.

�Our main goal is to finalize a careerpathway for them and try and work withthem on residential skills,� says Gleason. Headds students last year selected the name�Advance� for the program because �theyare advancing an educational journey.�

District names new head ofSpecial ServicesJohn Pearson has been named theSchool District�s Interim ExecutiveDirector of Special Services. Pearsonreplaces Bill Budge, who will retireFebruary 1, 2005.

Pearson began hiseducation career in1966 in a classroomfor students withdevelopmentaldisabilities inMontana. Over thecourse of his career,he has held positionsincluding Director of ParaeducatorTraining at Bates Technical College inTacoma, Deputy Superintendent andAssistant Superintendent of InstructionalPrograms at the Office of the Superinten-dent of Public Instruction, and adminis-trative positions in both Tacoma PublicSchools and Montana State School forDeaf and Blind. Prior to his administra-tive positions, Pearson worked ineducation as a teacher and coach.

He earned his bachelor�s and master�sdegrees from Montana State University atBillings and did postgraduate study atMontana State University at Bozeman,California State University at Los Angeles,and the University of Washington.

School District prepares for budget challenges in 2005-06

In-District Student Transfer

In-District students who wish to attend aschool other than their attendance areaschool for the 2005-06 school year needto submit their Intra-District TransferApplication by March 1, 2005.

Transfer applications are available in themain office at all schools or from thereceptionist at the District office.

Elementary and junior high applicationsshould be submitted to the residentschool principal. High school applica-tions should be submitted to LeskaWetterauer, Executive Director ofSecondary Education, at 302 2nd StreetSE, Puyallup, WA 98372.

Ballou and Stahl junior highs are enrolledat capacity and cannot accept transferapplications. Brouillet and Popeelementaries are also closed to newtransfer applications.

This is an annual process that must becompleted whether the student is alreadyon a transfer or not.

For additional information on secondarytransfers, please contact KathleenHeckman at (253) 841-8771. For informa-tion on elementary transfers, pleasecontact Karen Odell at (253) 841-8796.

Any student who requests transfer to aschool other than his/her resident school isineligible for varsity athletics for onecalendar year from the date of enrollment.

If it is determined that a participant/parent/guardian provides the District with false orincomplete information pertaining toathletic eligibility, the participant will bedeclared ineligible for all interscholasticcompetition for a period of one year(WIAA Rule 27.3.0).

Ninth grade students may participate insports not offered at the junior high levelat their resident high school.

Out-of-District Student Choice

Students who live out of the District andare currently enrolled in the PuyallupSchool District should complete a Non-Resident Enrollment Application.

A release from the resident schooldistrict is required and must accompanythe application form. Release from aresident district and acceptance into anon-resident district must be sought onan annual basis.

Completed forms are submitted to theDepartment of Student Learning andInstructional Support, Attention: MargieJensen, Director of Student Services, 3022nd Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372 nolater than 4 pm on March 1 for optimalconsideration. Questions may bedirected to Jensen at (253) 841-8770 orsecretary Barb Rehn at (253) 840-8844.

Any student who requests transfer to aschool other than his/her residentschool is ineligible for varsity athleticsfor one calendar year from the date ofenrollment.

If it is determined that a participant/parent/guardian provides the Districtwith false or incomplete informationpertaining to athletic eligibility, theparticipant will be declared ineligible forall interscholastic competition for aperiod of one year (WIAA Rule 27.3.0).

Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2005 15

JohnPearson

In-District transfer and Out-of-District student choiceApplications due March 1

With the state facing a $1.7 billionshortfall, the Puyallup School Districtand other educational institutionsacross Washington are bracing for aseries of fiscal challenges in the 2005-06 school year.

With only half of this school year com-plete, Puyallup educators are alreadytaking a close look at programs andservices for next year, including how tohouse students in already overcrowdedfacilities.

Enrollment projections shared with theSchool Board earlier this month forecastan additional 264 students next year withthe most significant jump of 214 students

at the high school level, primarily due to alarge incoming tenth grade class. Othernotable increases in enrollment areprojected in kindergarten and in gradesfive and seven.

�Student enrollment will rise, puttingadditional pressure on overcrowdedfacilities,� says Debra Aungst, AssistantSuperintendent for Management Services.�Transportation costs will also increase asmore students will be served in other thantheir resident schools.�

Student achievement goals, includingthose related to the federal No Child LeftBehind Act, also will require increasedinvestment as the District creates interven-

tions and extended learning opportunitiesfor students to help them meet academicstandards.

�It takes resources to provide our studentswith educational programs and services tohelp them learn sufficiently to pass theWashington Assessment of StudentLearning (WASL) to graduate,� saysAungst.

Furthermore, the state will likely passthrough a small cost-of-living increase forstaff, and mandated retiree carve-outpayments will also increase, both of whichare underfunded by the state. Shifts inongoing expenditures are also required toprepare for the annual operating cost of

the District�s two new elementary schoolsthat are opening in 2007.

A Resource Advisory Council was formedthis fall to educate and involve more staffearly on in the budget development phase.The 15-member council will continuemeeting through this month to develop abalanced budget recommendation for theCabinet � a team of administrativeleadership.

The District is required by law to prepareand present a balanced 2005-06 budget byJuly 10, 2005 and adopt a final budget byAugust 31. Public hearings are tentativelyscheduled before the School Board onApril 25 and May 23.

16 January 2005 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Award named in honor of retired educator Tickets on sale for150th anniversarydinner April 30

A new excellence in education awardnamed after retired Puyallup High Schoolteacher Gertrude Hansen will be pre-sented beginning this May to an educatorselected by the school�s senior classofficers.

The �Miss Gertrude Hansen Excellencein Education Award,� founded by theClass of 1954, was announced lastmonth during the school�s annualAlumni Assembly. The 94-year-oldHansen, who lives in Panorama City,received a standing ovation as sheentered the gym for the assembly andpresentation in her honor.

As hundreds of Puyallup alumni lookedon, Dick Liljestrom, a member of theorganizing committee for the Class of1954�s 50-year reunion said, �Many fineeducators have chosen Puyallup HighSchool to practice their profession. Thiscommunity has been fortunate in thisregard. However, there is one educatorwho has demonstrated extra specialattributes with wonderful results. Whileshe has been retired for several years, herimpact has been everlasting. Miss

Gertrude Hansen is that educator.�

A plaque will be awarded annually aboutfour weeks before graduation to aneducator who best exemplifies thecharacter and attributes demonstrated by

Hansen. There will be no limits on howoften an educator can win this award. Theeducator�s name and the year of the awardwill be engraved on the plaque, which willbe displayed in a prominent location ofhonor for students, staff, and the commu-nity to see.

Hansen started teaching in Puyallup in1940 and retired in 1972. She taughtregular and college English, speech, andpsychology, and advised several studentclubs and committees. Toward the end ofher career, she served as a guidancecounselor and took pride in the fact thatshe was a regular at Vikings football andbasketball games, both home and away.

Liljestrom says Hansen forever impactedthe way he lives his life. He says she�poured herself into her task with greatdevotion� and was able to �bring out thebest in all of her students and help them torealize their full potential.�

Since her retirement, Hansen has traveledthe world and now plays bridge severaldays a week, participates in the dramaclub, and frequents the library at Pan-orama City retirement complex in Lacey.In an interview several years ago, Hansensaid, �I wanted to be a teacher all of mylife. I enjoyed my teaching years so muchand thought the kids were just great.�

Parents and community members canobtain up-to-the-minute school closureand emergency information for each ofthe School District�s 31 schools byaccessing a new Public Schools Emer-gency Communications System (PSECS)Web site, www.schoolreport.org.

Subscribers can customize the serviceto receive instant notification via e-mailor pager when school schedules changedue to inclement weather or otheremergency situations.

More than 125 school districts, colleges,and private schools in the Puget Soundregion use the Web site to alert the publicof emergency information. Subscriberscan request that school reports and non-emergency messages be sent to up tothree e-mail or pager addresses.

Retired Puyallup High School teacher Gertrude Hansen, shown herein 2001 in the library at her retirement complex in Lacey.

Simple instructions on the Web siteshow how to add or delete schools,and subscriber e-mails remain confi-dential.

To view this service, visitwww.schoolreport.org. To subscribe,click on My School Report and sign upwith an e-mail address. To add adistrict or a school, click on �Add aSchool� and follow the directions.

Through the PSECS computer net-work, member schools such as thePuyallup School District relay timelyand accurate emergency-relatedinformation through local radio andtelevision broadcasts and the Internet.

PSECS is operated by Puget SoundEducational Service District.

Web site offers school closure andemergency information

A community-wide celebration will be heldSaturday, April 30 to recognize the PuyallupSchool District�s 150th anniversary. Plansinclude a fun run/walk, golf tournament,historical displays of school memorabilia,turn-of-the-century schoolhouse exhibit,music performance, accomplished alumnirecognition, quilt display, and dinner.The fun run/walk, which is scheduled tostart and end at Sparks Stadium, is plannedfor the morning, along with a golf tourna-ment. Beginning at 3 pm, guests are invitedto view histories from the District�s 31schools at display tables set up throughoutthe Puyallup High School commons. A

150th anniversary quilt and individualschool quilts are also planned for display,as well as a turn-of-the-century school-house set up by Karshner Museum, whichis celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.A program beginning at 5 pm will featurea student choir performance followed byan anniversary �Walk Through Time�recognizing 150 graduates from through-out the Puyallup School District who areaccomplished in their fields. To submitnames for consideration, e-mail150years@puyallup.k12.wa.us.The dinner, catered by Mama Stortini�sRestaurant, is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm at Puyallup High School. The price is$20 for adults and $18 for seniors age 60and older and students ages 6 to 18.Children five years and younger arefree. The dinner buffet will feature lasagna,Italian herb chicken, and a choice of sidedishes. Tickets are available from book-keeper Marsha Post at Puyallup High, 105Seventh Street SW in Puyallup. Informa-tion is also available on the District�s Website at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us or bycontacting Karen Hansen, Director ofCommunications and Executive Services,at (253) 841-8703.