Board Briefs Richland School Board Highlights of February 10, 2015, meeting Board members discussed the scope, budget, and timeline for the Jefferson Elementary School renovation/replacement project….the final project included in the 2013 bond issue. The two options were: 1. Replace only the 1953 wing – total project cost of $4.8 million 2. Replace the entire school – total project cost of $16.3 million Board members agreed to move ahead with option #2. Due to faster than expected enrollment growth, the District now qualifies for more state matching funds. The additional state funding will allow construction of a 50,000 square foot Jefferson and still keep all nine bond projects within the $98 million approved by voters. The new Jefferson is expected to open in 2018. More info is at this link and in this Tri-City Herald article. Other News: Some Badger Mountain Elementary kindergarten students recently wrote and illustrated stories about gingerbread man books they had read. That was just the beginning. After the students finished writing, teacher Michelle Fickle recorded them reading their stories and created QR codes that linked to the audio recordings. With the QR codes affixed to the writing posters, parents and students could read and listen to the students’ stories. “It was an excellent project as we combined reading, writing, and speaking skills with technology,” said Fickle. District staff presented an overview of the three proactive strategies being used to support RSD students and families: Partners for Early Learning, the National Network of Partnership Schools, and Communities in Schools. “Due to changing demographics and the increased accountability associated with College and Career Readiness, providing family support services is more important than ever,” stated Assistant Erich Bolz. Detailed info is at this link. State regulations allow schools to use Learning Assistance Program (LAP) money for behavior interventions. Jason Lee Elementary is one school that has successfully implemented a LAP Behavior Program: Identified students receive 30 minutes/4 days a week of direct instruction in social/friendship making skills, learning skills, and emotion management. The school last year made zero referrals to BESST, the District’s magnet behavioral program. The Richland School Board has hired Marie Sullivan to be the District’s legislative advocate in Olympia. Sullivan’s focus this session will be on legislation affecting school construction in Urban Growth Areas. More details at this link. A Badger Mountain kindergarten student listens to a classmate’s story by scanning the QR code. Fourteen students from Hanford and Richland High Schools are getting an in depth look at what it’s like to be a classroom teacher. Teachers Recruiting Future Teachers matches high school interns with mentor teachers. “I signed up because I wanted to see what it’s like to be a teacher,” says RHS student Jaydon Delucchi. The interns are working closely with mentor teachers at Badger Mountain, Jason Lee, Lewis & Clark, Marcus Whitman, and Sacajawea Elementary Schools. The interns spend six hours a week in the classroom learning all aspects of teaching. “In addition to their classroom experience time, the students create a teaching portfolio,” explains Samantha Board Briefs is published by the Richland School District Communications Office, 967-6008. www.rsd.edu White, Careers in Education teacher. “With the classroom hours and the portfolio, they are eligible to earn college credit and early acceptance into college teaching programs.” Learn more in this Teachers Recruiting Future Teachers video. 6:00 pm, at Hanford High School. Presenting information and answering questions will be Richland Police Officer Bonnie Meyer and HHS Principal Ken Gosney. “Tips for Kids' Social Media Safety” is one of many important topics covered on the web resource Protect Your Kids Online. NASA experts will answer questions about STEM disciplines during a forum called “Women in STEM: STEM in the Global Science Community” on Tuesday, February 17, 9:30 to 10:30 am, on NASA TV and the NASA web site. HHS and RHS students gain classroom teaching experience STEM education is taking off in the Richland School District. The goal is for all students to be STEMcapable. At Sacajawea Elementary School's recent Family Engineering Night, families explored STEM concepts at a number of engaging stations (photo gallery). "We want students to experience first-hand what it means to be an engineer as they utilize problem solving, teamwork, and collaboration skills," says Erika Doyle, Curriculum Coordinator. The far side of the moon, always hidden from human eyes, is less of a mystery now thanks to a “dark side video” released last week by NASA. It was created using mapping data gathered by the agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The Enterprise Middle School Advanced Orchestra performed last weekend with the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and ACT in Benjamin Britten's Noyes Fludde. “The music was extremely challenging, but these middle school musicians rose to the challenge with energy and enthusiasm,” said Maxine Townson, EMS orchestra director. EMS Advanced Orchestra at First Presbyterian Church in Kennewick A Sacajawea father and daughter learn about load....the weight that a structure supports. Community members are invited to learn more about teens and sexting, protecting teens from abuse, the dangers of texting and driving, and how to navigate smartphones at a public forum Thursday, February 12, The son of a former Richland High School staff member wouldn’t be alive today without a stranger from the United Kingdom. Leukemia had ravaged Mark Snyder’s body and doctors told him that without a bone marrow transplant, he wouldn’t survive. It was Snyder’s story and others connected with Richland High that motivated leadership students to arrange a bone marrow registration drive last week. More details in this TriCity Herald article and KVEW-TV story. The art creations of Enterprise Middle School students are on display through February 15 at the Board Briefs is published by the Richland School District Communications Office, 967-6008. www.rsd.edu Richland Public Library. The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, ceramics, and resin cast miniatures. The winter issue of the District’s Focus on Schools publication can be accessed at this link. Four members of the Richland PTA Council traveled to Olympia last month to lobby for top legislative priorities. Kerrilynn Robinson, Connie Andrews, Karen Albers, and Abby Stevens met with State Senator Sharon Brown, State Representative Brad Klippert, and Governor Jay Inslee. The PTA’s top priorities for the legislative session include: 1. Funding McCleary 2. Creating Positive School Climates Through Social Emotional Learning 3. Increasing Capital Projects Funding Congratulations to the RHS Cheer Squad OSPI awarded Delta High School the 2015 Career Guidance Award of Excellence for the outstanding work the school is doing to help students become more college and career ready. “Delta students have multiple opportunities each year to interact with industry professionals, learn about potential careers, and build their professional skills. Through these experiences, students graduate prepared for college and career, ready to put their 21st century skills to work,” said Principal Jenny Rodriquez. State Senator Sharon Brown (third from right) meets with Richland PTA Council. Richland High School’s Gold Rush Dance Team will hold a Dance Clinic for kindergarten through fifth grade students on Monday, February 16, 9:30 to 11:30 am, at the RHS Gym. Cost is $20 per child or $15 for kids who attended the December clinic. For more info and to pre-register, call 586-8006 or email: [email protected] or [email protected] Awards: The Richland High School Cheer Squad are state champions for the second year in a row. The 12-member squad earned first place in the 4A small non-tumbling division at the Washington State Cheer Championships January 31 in Seattle – photo gallery link. Board Briefs is published by the Richland School District Communications Office, 967-6008. www.rsd.edu
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