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CONNECTIONSVolume 9:2 Published for Puyallup School District's Community Partners for a Quality Future October 2003

Ridgecrest Elementary School fourth graders Xavier Dubose andAndrea Sinden will take the Washington Assessment of StudentLearning this spring.

Students make huge gains in reading, writing, and mathStudents in grades four, seven, and 10throughout the Puyallup School Districtmade unprecedented gains in the coreacademic areas of reading, math, andwriting on this year’s WashingtonAssessment of Student Learning (WASL).

Nearly every one of the District’s schoolshas seen growth in at least one of theareas tested last spring, and six of theDistrict’s schools achieved their highestscore ever in all three subjects.

See related articles on pages 6 and 7,including examples of how the District's31 schools are boosting academicachievement, tips on how to helpchildren become better readers, and therole of building learning specialists inimproving student learning.

Results show that more tenth-gradestudents than ever before are meetingstandards in math and writing. Tenthgraders also made gains in reading.

Seventh graders made huge jumps in allthree areas — reading, writing, and math.Fourth graders also showed significantgains in all of the three core academic areas.

The WASL, developed to measure howwell students are progressing inmeeting State academic standards, alsomeasured listening this past year.Puyallup students continue to reflectstrong academic achievement in thisarea across all three grade levels.Students also took the science WASLin grades eight and 10 this past spring,and those scores were expected to bereleased last month.

The WASL test includes multiple choice,short answer, and essay questions.Students must pass the test to receive theirhigh school diploma beginning in 2008.

Performance on the WASL has taken oneven greater importance among schooldistricts Statewide this year with theimplementation of the Federal No ChildLeft Behind Act. This law requireseducators throughout the country to setannual goals in reading and mathematicsfor all schools. The goal is to lift allstudents to the WASL standard ofproficiency in those core academicsubjects (and later, science) by 2014.

The new accountability system requiresall students in a grade, as well as eightsubgroups of those students, to meet atesting target. The eight groups are

based on race, ethnicity, poverty,disability, and lack of English languageability. If even one of those categories ofstudents falls short of the target, theentire school fails to make what is called“adequate yearly progress.”

Six of the District’s secondary schools fellshort of making adequate yearly progress— in some cases by just a few percentagepoints of the goal in one or more of thesubgroups. School officials say thatinformation presents a welcome challengeto continue to improve academic achieve-ment for all students.

“The results achieved by our students canonly be attained when each of themembers of our staff — individually andcollectively — focuses intentionally onraising achievement, collaborating oninstructional strategies, and workingtogether to carry them out,” says Gourley.

IN THIS ISSUECommunities in Schools. . . . . .4Donations help students. . . . . . .5Building learning specialists. . .6Student interns. . . . . . . . . .9New administrators . . . . . . . .10Community bond forums . . . . .11

“This is wonderful news for our studentsand staff,” says Superintendent SusanGourley. “The State has set high standardsfor schools, and this is a major victory forour students and our staff. But the realvictory is in our classrooms — studentswho are achieving at higher levels thanever before.”

In some cases students showed suchsignificant improvement over the previousyear that their schools earned a spot in thetop five ranking of schools in the greaterSeattle area that showed the largestpercentage increase of students meetingstandards. “To have across-the-boardgains in all areas is not an easy thing to dofor a District the size of ours,” says BobSilverman, Director of Assessment.

R = Reading M = Math W = Writing

2003 Puyallup WASL Results(Compared to 2002)

R M W

Grade 4

Grade 7

Grade 10

2 October 2003 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Student Achievement

Superintendent's MessageCelebrating our students' achievementCheers were heard at schools all aroundour District a few weeks ago as principals,teachers, and students received the scoresfrom the Washington Assessment ofStudent Learning (WASL) tests given tofourth, seventh, and tenth graders lastspring. Scores improved significantly atall three grade levels in the core areastested by the WASL, which are reading,math, and writing.

Virtually every one of our schools hasseen growth in student achievement —and some schools are celebrating unprec-edented growth! We do not have pocketsof excellence — we have a District ofexcellence! I am very proud of ourstudents and each of our staff. The Statehas set high standards for schools, andthis is a major victory for our students andour staff. But the real victory is in ourclassrooms — students who are achievingat higher levels than ever before.

Even as we celebrate these victories,however, we are not resting on thesesuccesses. As soon as our principals andstaff received scores from last spring’sassessments, they began to thoroughlyanalyze the data … to determine how allstudents could make even greater gains.

Although there are many strategies forsuccess, one of the most important isensuring that every child can read on gradelevel by the time they reach the end of thirdgrade. Reading is the key to all academicsuccess. The sad news is that only onechild in nine will learn to read if theyhaven’t already done so by the end of thirdgrade … and that is where you come in.

Our goal is to reach every child in thePuyallup School District … to help everychild find success. However, we cannotdo this alone. We need your help. Asparents, read to your children. The morefrequently parents read to their children,the more likely the children will showbeginning literacy skills. In a reportpublished by the National Center forFamily Literacy Research Department,children who were read to three or

Kristin Stensgaard, fourth grader at SunriseElementary School, greets SuperintendentSusan Gourley on the first day of school.

more times per week by a familymember were more likely to recognizeall letters of the alphabet than childrenread to less frequently.

As business and community members,you too can help give our children the giftof literacy. Tutoring children in readingwill help them immensely in their progresswhile also giving them another consistentrole model in their lives … thus benefitingthe children as well as strengthening thefuture citizens in our community.

All schools have specific reading improve-ment goals in place. For example, StewartElementary has offered the successfulWerlin Reading program for the past twoyears. Additional tutors are needed atStewart and at other elementary schools,which will also be offering the Werlinprogram. Tutors volunteer to spend 45minutes a week helping a child to read …

and in doing so, helpingthat child feel successwhile gaining animportant skill.

Werlin Tutor DanielSmith, attorney with thelaw firm of Campbell,Dille, Barnett, Smith,and Wiley, is proud ofhis involvement in theWerlin program. “Idon’t think there is anysubstitute for one-on-one reading withchildren,” says Smith.“There is no questionthat this really helpedthe kids,” he said of hisyear of experiencetutoring in the firstgrade. “Each week, thekids would come to seeus with big smiles ontheir faces. They lookedforward to it … it was apositive experience allaround.”

Other opportunities fortutoring include the Help One Student toSucceed (HOSTS) reading program atWildwood and Firgrove elementaryschools. Thanks to the work of HOSTScoordinators Pam Nelson and WendyRamsaur and hundreds of volunteers,many children have found success inreading … and because of localbusinesspersons, community members,parents and grandparents, and studentvolunteers, the program continues to helpchildren succeed.

To reach our goal of success for every child,however, we need to do even more. I inviteyou to consider joining our team of volun-teers who are making a difference for children.

To join the team, simply contact yourschool principal or the District’s volunteeroffice at (253) 841-8703. Helping childrenachieve success by learning to read willchange their lives forever.

PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICTBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors

Terry AsbjornsenPresident845-3760

Kathy AfflerbaughVice President

840-1185

Bruce DammeierLegislative Representative

370-7198

Greg Heath770-8797

Diana Seeley848-4028

Susan GourleySuperintendent

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 PolicyConnections Editorial PolicyConnections Editorial PolicyConnections Editorial PolicyConnections Editorial PolicyConnections is published periodically by thePuyallup School District as part of a com-munications link between the district andthe community. Its intent and purpose is toprovide the Board and District staff a venueto inform community members about pro-grams, goals, and activities of public edu-cation in the Puyallup School District. Pleasedirect questions or comments to KarenHansen, Administrative Assistant to the Su-perintendent, PO Box 370, Puyallup WA98371 or telephone (253) 841-8703 or [email protected]. Responses,as appropriate, will be provided directly tothose who contact this office.

Coordinator:Coordinator:Coordinator:Coordinator:Coordinator: Karen HansenEditor: Editor: Editor: Editor: Editor: Susan GiffordTTTTTececececechnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: Carrington, Ink!Contributing Writers: Contributing Writers: Contributing Writers: Contributing Writers: Contributing Writers: Beth Bestrom,Brynn Blanchard, and Susan Gifford

Puyallup Sc hool District No. 3 complieswith all federal rules and regulationsand does not discriminate on the basisof race, creed, color, marital status,age, national origin, religion, ordisability. This holds true for all studentswho are interested in participatingin educational programs and/orextracur ricular activities. Inquiriesregarding compliance procedures maybe directed to the District's Title IX/RCW28A.640 Officer and Section 504Coordinator (William L. Welk, ExecutiveDirector of Human Resources) at 302Second Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372.Phone: 841-8645.

Celebrating Student Achievement http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us October 2003 3

Veteran Board member reflects on time serving community

Terry AsbjornsenSchool BoardPresident

Chances are the passionate argumentscoming from the Kalles Junior HighLibrary on Thursday afternoons are BookClub members debating the merits of theirlatest novel.

“The students really facilitate the groupand the meetings,” says Kalles LibrarianKrista Scioli. “During the meetings, theytake turns going around the circle andsharing their reactions to the book.They’re very passionate about it andeager to share their thoughts.”

Following discussion of the book,students may also talk about anotherbook they are reading that might be ofinterest to others in the group. Mem-bers of the book club mark favoritebooks in the library with a “book clubrecommends” bookmark, much like largebook stores use for employee recom-mendations. Students also select thenext book they will be reading from thebook sets purchased with studentgovernment funds.

Kalles is one of several secondaryschools with book clubs this year. Rogersand Emerald Ridge high schools andStahl and Aylen junior high schools havesimilar groups. At Kalles, about eight to

10 students participateon a regular basis.Although Sciolioriginally thought thegroup might meet on amonthly basis, thestudents in the bookclub were eager tomeet and suggestedgathering every twoweeks.

For ninth graderPatrick Morehouse,the book clubprovides an opportu-nity to share histhoughts about bookswith others. “Readingis a different world. Itallows you to get fullyimmersed in a storyand gives a lot moredetail than TV. I’vealways enjoyedstories." He is alsoinvolved with thePuyallup Public Library’s Teen AdvisoryGroup.

Club member Mayumi Shannon, who usuallyreads one or two books a month, says she

also enjoys having time to review what shehas read. Some of the favorite booksrecommended by Kalles Book Clubmembers include "Queen’s Own Fool,""Freak the Mighty," and "Holes."

Kalles Junior High School book club memberMayumi Shannon marks recommended booksfor library visitors.

Students share love of reading in book club

My predecessor on the Board of Directorswas Dr. Vitt Ferruccci. Vitt dedicated over33 years of service to the children of thePuyallup School District. I am nowcompleting just eight years of service. Andas I complete my final term, I have a newlevel of appreciation and understanding ofDr. Ferrucci’s tenacity. From this, onemight reasonably conclude that I amlamenting the investment of time, energy,and other resources required of a Director.While it is true that the most commoncomment I have heard from School BoardDirectors across this State is that theywere surprised by the investment required,that is not my reference.

In considering the Board, I gave little (ifany) thought to the benefits, the bless-ings, the joy that would be mine over the

next eight years. Without question, themost rewarding of those experiences havebeen the times of close connections withthe kids. I never did get my fill of theassemblies, concerts, Board presentations,

Some annual events which I have reallyenjoyed included welcoming newteachers, the PTA principals’ breakfast,the Reflections Awards Dessert, thepresentation of Outstanding Seniors, andtoo many others to mention. Each is asource of pride for the accomplishmentsand/or contributions represented.

A guiding light in my life is the phrase “It’sreally all about people.” One of the manyfaceted meanings that saying has for me isthat “neat” people are a real blessing in mylife. And there are a “whole bunch” of neatpeople in the Puyallup School District. Wehave fantastic teachers, outstandingprincipals and assistant principals, greatsupport staff, and an exceptional superin-tendent and administrative staff.What a great job our bus drivers, food

service personnel, and other classifiedpersonnel do for our kids. And because Ispend a significant amount of time at theEducation Service Center (centraladministrative office), I must share thatthe support staff there have a specialplace in my heart. Thanks for yourongoing warm reception of my visits(your special occasion celebrations aregreat too).

Thank you also to a community andparents who have expressed over and overtheir appreciation and support for myinvolvement on the Board. Thank you forthe privilege to serve.

Finally (but certainly not least), I haveserved with several “neat,” well-qualified,dedicated Board members who really doput kids first and who highly respect ourteachers — teachers for whom all of us ineducational circles exist to support.

Thanks for a challenging, fulfilling, andrewarding journey.

and the many other events involving ourstudents. Closely coupled with thoseexperiences has been the feelings ofelation that accompanied the evidences ofstudent achievement — the most recent ofwhich is the impressive WASL test results.

Exciting things are happening at theKarshner Museum. The Northwestcanoe, being carved by artist andteacher Al Zantua, is about halffinished. This will be an interestingaddition to the Northwest Indian lecturefor third graders.

The Friends of the Karshner Museumare planning several activities thisschool year, including the first FamilyDay on Saturday, December 6 from 10 amto 2 pm. The theme will be “PioneerHolidays." Be sure to check the SchoolDistrict calendar for other upcomingevents. For more information, pleasecontact the Karshner Museum at(253) 841-8748.

Submitted by Beth Bestrom, Museum Curator

Museum highlights


Communities in Schools helps students succeed

Chris Loftis, new Executive Director of Communities in Schools ofPuyallup.

Rogers High PerformingArts Center to be namedafter former principal

“Bringing schools and communitiestogether to help kids prepare for life.” Thissimple message, posted at the end of eachof Chris Loftis’s emails, summarizes his jobas the new Executive Director of Communi-ties in Schools (CIS) of Puyallup.

Loftis likes to refer to himself as a match-maker, finding ways that the schools andcommunity can partner to help studentssucceed. He speaks to Puyallup areabusinesses, service organizations, andcommunity groups; applies for grants;recruits volunteers from local corpora-tions; and coordinates fund-raisingactivities to secure needed resources tosustain programs.

“There is a hunger out there for people tohelp,” he says. “Our goal is to get thosepeople connected with the schools andthen help that partnership to grow.”

The national CIS program, which isoperating in 10 other school districtsStatewide, kicked off in Puyallup in spring2002 with the formation of a local CISBoard of Directors. The Board includesschool, business, government, andcommunity representatives. CIS paysLoftis’s part-time salary, while the SchoolDistrict provides him office space on thesecond floor of the Education ServiceCenter in downtown Puyallup.

One of the first sights a visitor seeswhen entering Loftis’s office are poster-size sheets of paper taped to nearlyevery cabinet. A closer look revealsdetailed plans for immediate and long-range CIS projects.

Beginning this fall, several CIS programswill undergo expansion. A program atStewart Elementary School designed toimprove students’ reading skills, forexample, will continue to serve firstgraders and expand to help secondgraders. Werlin Reading Teams pairseach student with a volunteer tutor.Business people, parents, and retireesare among those who volunteer 45minutes once a week and are assisted byan on-site reading coordinator. Plans areto expand the program even further nextyear to include grade three at StewartElementary, as well as branch out to

begin offering the program at severalother elementary schools.

A tobacco diversion program, developed inpartnership with the District, local lawenforcement, and the Tacoma-PierceCounty Health Department, will continuethis year for youth caught violating theState’s tobacco law. Instead of paying acourt fine or facing school suspension,students can become educated about theharmful effects of tobacco, performcommunity service, and get help in kickingthe habit.

Additionally, CIS is helping to coordinatepartnerships in the new Architecture,Construction, and Engineering (ACE)program at Rogers High School.

One of Loftis’s goals this year is todevelop partnerships to support thepossible creation of after school pro-grams that will enhance student learning.The timing is perfect, he says, to explorehow to best serve students after schoolnow that the District has implemented anew Learning Improvement Calendar.Secondary students are released onehour early on most Wednesdays thisyear, and discussions are under way toalign elementary students on the same

early release calendar next year.

“This is a perfect example of why wehave a CIS program. There is obviously aneed for all grade levels to have an afterschool offering, and what a greatopportunity to find great and positivethings for kids to do.”

CIS has the support of many localbusinesses, service organizations, andindividuals. Costco is one of theprogram’s major supporters, providing asustaining annual gift that funds approxi-mately one-third of the program’s totalannual budget, says Loftis.

Before coming to Puyallup, Loftis servedin a variety of non-profit managementpositions, including five years as execu-tive director of Big Brothers Big Sistersand another five years as executivedirector of United Way — both inThurston County. He lost a bid forSecretary of State in 2000, owns and runsan educational consulting firm, and hasthree published children’s books.

For more information on Communities inSchools, contact Loftis by phone at (253)840-8917 or email [email protected].

The Rogers High School Performing ArtsCenter will be renamed the E. ArthurLarson Center for the Performing Arts inhonor of the first principal of RogersHigh School. Larson served as principalof Rogers High School from 1968 to1980. During his tenure, Rogers devel-oped a reputation for excellence in theperforming arts.

“I was very pleased and humbled by thisdecision,” says Art Larson. “While Iwas at Rogers, I was very fortunate tohire some highlycompetent teachersand specialists likeDave Richardt(drama), Bill Morrell(band), and RichNace (choir) whoreally helped theperforming artsprograms get off theground. I tried to bethe kind of principalwho gave teachers the opportunity tooperate within broad guidelines so theycould do what they were hired to do.”

Larson was involved in planning Rogersfor two years before it opened. “Wetried to establish a high school thatwould be a comprehensive high schoolcomplete with pre-vocational activities,academics, arts, and sciences,” saysLarson. “I enjoyed being able to roamthe halls and step into classrooms whenI overheard interesting activities.”

A committee of students, administrators,staff members, and community membersrecommended the name change to theSchool Board. The decision to renamethe auditorium in honor of Larson wasaffirmed by the School Board andannounced in August at a dinner andopen house at Rogers celebrating theschool’s 35th anniversary. An officialdedication ceremony will take place inNovember before the school’s first playof the season.

Art Larson

Photo courtesy of Darel Roa Photography


Donations of school supplies, services help students in needSavanna Shores couldn’t be happier with her new bluebackpack this year. Not only does it have lots of com-partments to store supplies, it came filled with many ofthe items she needs in fifth grade, including a binder,glue stick, pencil, pen, and paper.

This is the third year that Shores and more than 300 of herclassmates at Stewart Elementary School have each startedschool with a new backpack filled with supplies — all at nocost to their families. Puyallup’s Costco store has donatedthe filled school bags to help every Stewart student inkindergarten through sixth grade get off to a good start.

Stewart Elementary Principal Laura King says thebackpack donation is “wonderful” for every child, butespecially for those from families who might not other-wise be able to afford a book bag or supplies to begin theschool year. “It’s so nice for that child, while all of theother kids are unpacking their things on the first day, tohave things to unpack too.”

Costco is among a growing list of businesses, commu-nity groups, and individuals that donate schoolsupplies and services at the start of each school year.The following are examples of others who have gener-ously given:

Top Food & Drug and the Boeing Employees CreditUnion (BECU) Puyallup Express Service Center teamedthis fall to provide the School District with $2,000worth of school supplies for needy students. The 639items include colorful lunch boxes, plastic pencilcases, crayons, binders, spiral notebooks, paper,pencils, and backpacks. BECU Service Manager LouWilson developed a list of supplies, and Store Man-

Lou Wilson, Service Manager of the Boeing EmployeesCredit Union Puyallup Express Center, and Ron Bashaw,Store Manager at Top Food & Drug in Puyallup, display someof the $2,000 worth of school supplies they donated to theSchool District to help students in need.

ager Ron Bashaw filled a palletwith boxes full of the items usinga $1,000 donation from each of thetwo businesses. “Ron and Iworked together on a commongoal to help the community,” saysWilson. “Working together wecan make a bigger impact.”

Pope Elementary School also hasnew landscaping around theschool this year thanks to $1,000worth of trees and shrubs donatedby Garden of Eden Nursery andPuyallup Bark and Garden Supply.Pope PTA President Amy Littletonand member Colleen Hollenbeckarranged a work party of volunteersto assist in planting the greenerybefore the first day of school.

A team of medical providers alsodonated their services for the thirdconsecutive year by providing freeor reduced cost physical examina-tions for Puyallup School Districtjunior and senior high schoolstudents. This service helpsstudents who want to participate infall sports but either cannot afford a physical or are notable to schedule one before the start of school.

Professionals who helped this year included Dr. DonRussell and his wife, Barbara, Dr. William Pollard,Nurse Practitioner Denise Ladenburg, and other

District begins year with new mission, vision, and beliefs

members of the Evergreen Children’s Clinic staff;Community Volunteer Nurse Meg Penalver, represent-ing Dr. Ovidio Penalver’s office; Dr. Dennis Deleon ofthe Mary Bridge Children’s Health Alliance; ApplePhysical Therapy, and Communities in Schoolsvolunteers.

The Puyallup School District Board of Education hasunanimously approved new mission, vision, and beliefsstatements to help guide students, staff, and partners inthe community.

These statements all support the Board’s newlyapproved Strategic Directions — goals for the year —which are to ensure equity and equal opportunity forall, communicate openly with students, parents, staff,and community, and be accountable to stakeholders.

The District’s new mission is, “Supported by familiesand our diverse community, the Puyallup SchoolDistrict challenges its students to achieve theiracademic, creative, and physical potential.”

The new vision states, “Students graduating fromPuyallup School District will be:

• Proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics andable to apply these skills across all curricular areas

• Critical thinkers who are able to solve complexproblems

• Engaged, self-directed, lifelong learners• Effective listeners and communicators• Able to understand and respect diversity• Resilient, collaborative, and persistent as they

address challenges• Capable of efficient time management• Employable and capable of productive work

• Caring, skilled family and community members• Able to value the arts as an essential part of their

cultural understanding• Capable of making healthy life choices• Responsible, contributing citizens in a diverse

changing world.”

The new beliefs statements address the District’spartnership with the community, including communi-cating openly with parents, students, staff, andmembers of the community and cultivating partner-ships that support quality educational programs. Afull listing of the new beliefs statements, in addition tothe mission and vision, can be found on the SchoolDistrict’s website at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us.


Learning specialists join staff at all 31 schools

Building Learning Specialists Nancy Spane, of MaplewoodElementary School, and Nick Hedman, of Firgrove ElementarySchool, discuss student assessments.

Tips to help childrenbecome better readers They are referred to as coaches, mentors,

and instructional leaders. Technically,they are called building learning special-ists, and for the first time all 31 schoolshave one this year to help improvestudent learning.

Principals, teachers, and parents arewelcoming the specialists, who work full orpart-time to assist staff, and ultimatelystudents and their families. The positionsare paid for with Initiative 728 schoolimprovement grant dollars and Districtsupport money for remediation.

Some of their job functions includemodeling instruction for classroomteachers, analyzing student test scoreinformation, mentoring new teachers, andproviding staff with training and otherprofessional development.

Kristen Schroeder, Building LearningSpecialist at Meeker Elementary School,recently spent time in a sixth-grade classmodeling a writing lesson. After teachingstudents how to choose a topic and

Hedman, for example, teamed with theFirgrove counselor last year to lead aparent training about test taking ingeneral called “Test, Stress, or Success.”The two served as resources about theWASL and other student assessments.“We answered their questions and gavethem information on how to work withtheir children at home. Basically the moreinformation you have about something,the less fearful you are.”

Spane, like other building learningspecialists, is also active in helping staffdevelop the school’s ComprehensiveSchool Improvement Plan. She recentlyassisted Maplewood in writing its newmission statement and setting specificgoals at each grade level.

Both Spane and Hedman are formerteachers and say they not only have adesire to lead, but also to developleadership in others. Hedman helps trainDistrict teachers in the Step Up to Writingprogram, for example, and Spane is servingher second year on a Statewide WritingAssessment Leadership Team.

All 28 building learning specialists, someof whom work part time at two schools,meet weekly as a team. Recently they havebeen working to create WASL-like readingquestions to accompany the Open Courtreading series in grades two through six.Liz Knox, Building Learning Specialist atSpinning Elementary School, is leading thegroup in this effort — not for the purposeof teaching to the test, but to developeffective teaching strategies to raisestudent achievement.

Specialists also meet monthly withDirector of Assessment Bob Silverman,who gives them tools to help analyzestudent test results with staff.

Stewart Elementary School Principal LauraKing says she is thrilled to have a buildinglearning specialist on board. “The buildinglearning specialist is another individualwho is a partner in being an instructionalleader in the building.” Because they arenot administrators or evaluators, they candevelop open and trusting relationshipsand are a great resource and support toteachers, she says.

“I'm like a co-teacher. My jobis to help teachers reach theirpotential."

Kristen Schroeder

organize a paragraph, she and the teachertogether observed students and assisted inanswering their questions. Schroeder thenset aside time after class to review the newlesson with the teacher, discuss what couldbe done differently, and answer questions.

“I’m like a co-teacher,” says Schroeder.“My job is to help teachers reach theirpotential and help them with problem-solving. Basically I show them how Iwould do it and give feedback.”

Nick Hedman and Nancy Spane, two of theoriginal five building learning specialistshired three years ago, say in addition tothe support they give staff, they also helpparents by answering questions aboutState and District tests such as theWashington Assessment of StudentLearning (WASL).

The following are tips to help childrenbecome better readers. The suggestionsare provided by the Washington StateOffice of Superintendent of PublicInstruction (OSPI). For further parentinformation and learning activities forstudents, go to the OSPI website athttp://www.linkslearning.org

• Provide writing and coloring materials,paper, picture books, magazines, and acomfortable place to read, write, anddraw.

• Read aloud on a regular basis. Readingto young children is especially impor-tant, but reading with older kids on aregular basis will help them as well.

• Talk with children about the things youread, whether it’s a newspaper, book,magazine, recipe, or the directions forassembling their new bike.

• Tell them stories and have them relatetheir stories to you. Encourage them touse art materials as well as the com-puter to illustrate or writestories thatcapture their interest.

• Help them look up definitions ofinteresting words in the dictionary orother reference books, and also online.

• Take them to the library regularly andhelp them choose books they like.

• Set aside regular times for individualand family reading, such as beforebedtime or on weekends. Discuss whatyou and your children have read.

• Encourage them to read informationalnonfiction books on various topics, aswell as fictional stories.

• Ask them to read a favorite book,poem, or story into a tape recorder.

• Show interest in your children’s schoolperformance, and monitor the develop-ment of their reading skills. Visit theirschool and discuss their readingachievement with their teacher.


In one month’s time, Cecelia Watkins wentfrom a student who crumpled up herwriting assignments to someone wholooks forward to writing projects in schooland often writes just for fun at home.

The 10-year-old is full of smiles andconfidence as she describes how she feltduring last spring’s Washington Assess-ment of Student Learning (WASL). “I thinkI did a good job,” says Watkins, a fifthgrader at Ridgecrest Elementary School. “Iwas ready for it.”

Watkins credits her new outlook onwriting to her participation last year in anafter school writing club. She and nearly60 other Ridgecrest students in gradesfour through six stayed after school twicea week for one month, all with a goal ofbecoming better writers.

Ridgecrest’s writing club is just oneexample of ways each of the 31 schoolsin the Puyallup School District isworking to improve student learning inwriting, reading, and math. This year’sDistrictwide gains on the WASL are noaccident, staff say, but rather the resultof focused efforts in every school

Schools focus efforts on raising academic achievementbuilding to raise academic achievement.

Those efforts include:

Writing

Walker High School is among manyelementary, junior high, and high schoolsthat credit their students’ improved writingskills to a Step Up to Writing program,which teaches students how to organizetheir thoughts on paper. “If you have kidswho are struggling, it gives them a formula— a strategy of how to write,” saysPrincipal Ailene Baxter.

This program has also proved successful atBrouillet, Sunrise, and Zeiger, which held acombined staff training last month to reviewnew teaching materials for students inkindergarten through grade two. Hunt,Meeker, Waller Road, and Woodlandelementaries, among others, have also put anintensive effort into writing and staff training.

Assessing students on their writingabilities, carefully reviewing the results,then planning lessons around those needshas been an ongoing schoolwide effort atschools including Firgrove, Maplewood,

and Mt. View elementaries. Students aretested in kindergarten through sixth grade,with some schools repeating the testseveral times during the year to trackstudent progress. Teachers score studentwork, much like the WASL, on areas suchas voice, organization, and conventions.

Northwood Elementary School organized abefore school writing club last yeartargeting fifth and sixth graders who coulduse an extra boost in writing. FruitlandElementary plans to develop a similarwriting club this spring.

Whether it be comma rules or topicsentences, schools throughout the Districtalso report a unified approach throughouttheir buildings when it comes to writinginstruction and expectations. At EdgemontJunior High, “Everyone from the mathdepartment to the culinary arts, socialstudies, sciences, etc. are teaching thatStep Up to Writing skill and expecting itfrom all students,” says Randy Jones,Building Learning Specialist.

Reading

Rogers High School started this school yearby having every student complete a readingassessment. While the results will assistteachers in preparing curriculum, the Rogersstaff took learning one step further and

asked every student to create their ownreading improvement plan. AssistantPrincipal Brian Lowney calls the new readingplan ambitious, but says it gives theteenagers more ownership in their learning.

Emerald Ridge High is also assessingstudents in reading this fall, and sopho-more advisories will devote one week toreading improvement strategies thismonth, with mini-lessons to followthroughout the year.

Puyallup High School is working withtrainers from the University of Kansas tobegin a new three-year program toincrease literacy among all students.“There are kids who are excellent readersin elementary school, only we find whenthey come into high school, some needextra help in literacy,” says AssistantPrincipal Joan Forseth.

Several schools, including Ferrucci and Stahljunior highs, attribute some of their studentachievement in reading to setting aside timeevery day — usually 15 to 20 minutesdepending on the school — to silentreading. “Twenty minutes of every day,every student in every class in everydepartment reads,” says Stahl Principal JohnBustad. “We are getting results,” he

continued on page 8

Walker High School student Megan VanAntwerp practices Step Upto Writing techniques during a classroom writing assignment.

Ballou Junior High seventh grade teachers review school's WASLscores (from left) Lynn Kase, Lisa Keller, Melissa Solinsky, andTamara Chipps.


added, noting the school tracks not only current Stahlstudents’ performance, but also how well Stahl alumniare meeting standards in high school.

Kalles Junior High and Puyallup High schools plan toexpand Read Right, an intensive reading remediationprogram that has shown positive results this past yearwith special education students.

Several schools, including Pope and Shaw Roadelementaries, credit the Read Well elementary readingprogram with more students meeting State standards.“Getting those kids targeted at a young age will add to theirsuccess in years down the road,” says Jennifer Iverson,Building Learning Specialist at Shaw Road Elementary.

Lastly, many schools such as Zeiger, Spinning, andWildwood elementaries continue to expand the Acceler-ated Reader program, where students earn points byreading and passing a comprehension test for books attheir targeted reading levels.

Math

Schools throughout the District say this year will be one inwhich they zero in on math, especially in the area of teachingstudents how to answer multi-step story problems.

Aylen Junior High and Hilltop Elementary schools, forexample, are taking a close look at books and materials tomake sure they are aligned with what the State expectsstudents to learn at each particular grade level. Thesestandards are uniform throughout the State and have beengiven the title, Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

Ballou Junior High, which for five years has blocked outtime and adjoining rooms for seventh grade teachers toteam teach, will continue a “WASL a Week” program thisyear. The program uses problem-solving math questionsdeveloped by the staff as part of the overall creation of aschoolwide math improvement plan. For several monthslast year students learned not only how to solve mathproblems, but also how to explain their answers in anorganized writing format. Similar weekly math promptshave been successful at the elementary level, including atPope, Riverside, and Stewart elementaries.

Karshner Elementary School is considering having mathhomework clubs, learning lunches, family nights, gamedays, mystery drama groups, and other schoolwideproblem solving and skill building activities.

Finally, staff throughout the District say it is important tomake learning fun. Waller Road Elementary, whichfocused on problem solving in math throughout lastyear, held a family math night with a Hawaiian theme.Wildwood Elementary invited families to a readingcelebration night. Firgrove Elementary students lined thehallways to cheer on fourth graders as they prepared tobegin their WASL. Ballou Junior High’s seventh gradeteachers dressed in fishing attire this fall as theyintroduced the “Catch the Energy, Release the Potential”theme at an opening school assembly. And RidgecrestElementary handed out after-school snacks and gavestudents fun writing prompts at its writing club.

“We had more kids wanting to be in writing club than wecould accommodate,” says Ridgecrest Principal LaurieOrheim. “I walked in a number of times after school, andit was unreal. They were so pumped up to write. Theyjust loved it.”

Schools focus on achievementcontinued from page 7

Students and staff at the Puyallup Fair included (from top left): Emerald Ridge High student Federico Gonzalez guides Brouillet Elementary studentDanny Luhtala on a flight simulator program; Pope Elementary and Quest student Madison Jaramillo shares her report on Italy; Rogers High senior JeffMumme demonstrates computer machining; Rogers High senior Paul Gerhardt practices JROTC drills; Waller Road Elementary students Ben Kalapusand Nathan Reader look at bugs at the Karshner Museum booth; Fruitland Elementary student Molly Fletcher makes a cloud book at the KarshnerElementary booth; Emerald Ridge High Teacher Candace Loring and Rogers High Teacher Debbie Munson at the art booth; Puyallup High orchestraperforms under the direction of Todd Giltner; Rogers High DECA students (from left) Nicole Lipka, Tovi Panida, Geneva West, and Zanetta Im; AylenJunior High Dance Team performs, and Science Resource Center Assistant Jan Ward teaches a Gig Harbor student how to make a twig journal.


Elizabeth Wesley Youth Merit Incentive Award winners

Elizabeth Wesley Youth Merit Incentive Award winners (back rowfrom left): Emerald Ridge High students Zachariah Franklin, PonceDurr, Jr., and Amma Bofa; Puyallup High student Desean Garnett;Rogers High students Dominique Simmons and Evonzia Guyton;(front row from left): Emerald Ridge High student Hannah Wells,and Rogers High students Teylar Greer, Renee Garino, and LaurenParris.

Ten Puyallup School District studentswere recently recognized through theeighth annual Elizabeth Wesley YouthMerit Incentive Award Program.

Student winners recognized for theirachievements during the 2002-03 schoolyear are: Amma Bofa, Ponce Durr, Jr.,Zachariah Franklin, and Hannah Wellsfrom Emerald Ridge High School; TeylarGreer, Lauren Parris, Dominique Simmons,Renee Garino, and Evonzia Guyton fromRogers High School, and Desean Garnettfrom Puyallup High School. Garino’s andGuyton’s awards were based on theirachievements last year at Stahl JuniorHigh School, and Garnett was recognizedfor his achievements at Kalles JuniorHigh.

Established in 1996, the Elizabeth WesleyYouth Merit Incentive Award Programwas created to recognize and honorAfrican American youth achievement.The awards, based on academic excel-lence, community involvement, and goodcitizenship, include a $350 award for eachstudent. Students are eligible for theawards beginning in ninth grade and may

continue to apply for annual recognitionthrough eleventh grade.

“Students who are recognized exemplifyacademic achievement and excellence inschool activities,” says Kimi Ginn Rabun,Chair of the Elizabeth Wesley Youth MeritIncentive Awards Program and ActingProgram Manager of the Tacoma UrbanLeague. "This acknowledges studentleadership skills and encourages studentsto do well in school. This is an example ofone community taking a proactive ap-proach to encourage students to do well inschool.”

While students may reapply for awardconsideration each year, Rabun notes thatthey also must show a continuous patternof improvement to requalify. Threestudents, including Parris, Franklin, andDurr, Jr. were also recognized last year.This year, Franklin was selected to be thestudent speaker at the awards ceremony inTacoma.

The awards program is named for ElizabethWesley, a civic leader active in thefounding of the Tacoma Urban League.

Each day after school, 17-year-old DaveMcDowell spends several hours applyingthe skills he has learned in his high schoolarchitecture class in the workplace. Thejunior, who dreams of becoming anarchitect, helps transfer blueprint draw-ings of school roofs to a highly complexcomputer-aided drafting program that canbe quickly accessed and updated asrepairs or improvements are made.

The Puyallup High School student hasalso helped organize and transfer paperdrawings of District school floor plans to acomputer database, noting specifics suchas the location of shutoff valves for waterand gas, fire exits, and contact informationin the event of an emergency. This same“critical systems” information easilyaccessible on the District’s network is

Student interns get valuable on-the-job training at School District

Student interns include (from left): Joe Frey, David Couch, LandonRawson, Jacob Hubbard, David McDowell, and Brittany Martinec. continued on page 10

then printed out, assembled in binders,and distributed to each of the schoolprincipals for quick reference.

McDowell is one of six part-time paidstudent interns working this year in theSchool District’s Facilities Department.The School Board recently listened to apresentation about the interns andcommended them for their hard work andexpertise in the development and mainte-nance of electronic records for Districtschools and buildings.

“A lot of people don’t have the opportu-nity to do something like this at such ayoung age,” says McDowell. “It’s just anamazing opportunity I have, and I think itwill really help me with my career.”


New administrators are announcedThe following people have been selected to fill leadershippositions this year. Other new administrators, includingelementary, secondary, and District positions, werefeatured in the August issue of Connections.

Walker High SchoolBryan Holt is the new AssistantPrincipal at Walker High School. Holtcomes to Walker from Port Orchard,where he served as an assistantprincipal of South Kitsap High School.Previous positions also includeserving as an assistant principal ofCedar Heights Junior High in Port

Orchard and a science and math teacher for grades seventhrough nine at Cedar Heights. Holt has a bachelor's andmaster's degree from the University of Washington.

Edgemont-HilltopSchoolLori Haugen is the new AssistantPrincipal at Edgemont-Hilltop Schoolon North Hill. Her previous positionsinclude serving part-time as anadministrative assistant at Stahl JuniorHigh, as well as working in specialeducation. She also has worked in the

District's Students Temporarily Away From Regular School(STARS) program and in special education at Rogers HighSchool. Before that she served as a teacher in Fairbanks,Alaska and worked in special education in Yucaipa,California. Haugen has her bachelor's degree from EasternWashington University, her master's degree in specialeducation from City University, and an administrativecredential from City University.

Hunt ElementarySchoolVince J. Pecchia has been namedAssistant Principal at Hunt Elemen-tary School on South Hill. Pecchiacomes to Hunt Elementary fromStewart Elementary School where heserved as a building learningspecialist in the 2002-03 school year.

He began teaching in 1997 in the Bethel School Districtand remained there until joining Puyallup last year.Pecchia has a bachelor's and master's degree from PacificLutheran University.

Brouillet ElementarySchoolJeanie Schneider is the newAssistant Principal at BrouilletElementary School on South Hill.Schneider joins Brouillet afterspending five years teaching secondand third grade at Hunt ElementarySchool. Before that she taughtEnglish as a Second Language. Her previous experiencealso includes teaching in Vancouver, Washington andLong Beach, California. Schneider has a bachelor's degreefrom Long Beach State University and a master's degreefrom Portland State University. She earned her administra-tive credential in 2003.

Director of SpecialEducation

Emerald Ridge HighSchoolJeannine Medvedich has been namedAssistant Principal of Emerald RidgeHigh. Her previous positions includeserving the past two years as aspecial services administrativeassistant in the Highline SchoolDistrict, a secondary summer schoolprincipal in 2001 in Olympia, and a principal intern atOlympia High School. Medvedich has a bachelor's degreefrom Central Washington University and a master'sdegree from City University.

District unveilsnew sloganA new District sloganhighlights the four e’s — or“e to the fourth power.” Excellence . . . expect,engage, encourage. Excellence: We will put our students at the center ofevery decision we make — our students will alwaysbe first.Expect : We all have high expectations for ourselves. We will not settle for being good. We are movingfrom good to great.Engage: We will continue to engage our staff, parents,and the community. Our efforts to reach out bothwithin the District family and to the community mustcontinue and grow.Encourage: We must always remember to encourageour staff, students, and community.

Student internscontinued from page 9

Senior Jacob Hubbard, who plans a career in engineer-ing or architecture, has been assisting McDowell withboth the roof drawings and the critical systems informa-tion. He is enrolled in Auto CAD (Computer AidedDesign) at PHS during the day, as well as a work-basedlearning class that allows him to spend his final hour ofschool at his job training site. “It’s preparing me for thecareer field I’m planning to go into, and it’s also a wayfor me to continue to improve in CAD design,” saysHubbard.

Other interns include senior David Couch, an aspiringarchitect who has spent the past year implementing anonline program to expedite District maintenancerequests. The project will extend into this year as thesenior calculates the square footage of each room hehas entered into the database. Drawing designs on thecomputer’s Auto CAD program is faster and moreprecise than drawing by hand and “is what they use inthe real world,” he says.

College students Joe Frey, Brittany Martinec, andLandon Rawson began interning several years ago andcontinue to help during summers and on some week-days. They have assisted with projects such as thecreation of an electronic inventory of the District’sportable classrooms. Many of the student interns overthe past five years have studied under Ed Showacy,vocational teacher at Puyallup High School.

Largo Wales is the District’s newDirector of Special Education. Shecomes to the position after servingas a director of special education inthe Orting School District. Beforethat she worked in the AuburnSchool District as the executive

director of special student services, director of specialstudent services/alternative education, and director ofelementary education/special education/Federalprograms. She also served as an elementary schoolprincipal in South Kitsap School District. Wales has abachelor’s degree from Washington State University, amaster’s degree from University of Puget Sound, and adoctor of education in educational leadership fromSeattle University.


Community gives input on schools bond at series of public forums

Amy Curtis knows what it takes to grow ahealthy crop of vegetables. And she has agreen thumb to prove it.

The third grader and 49 of her classmatesfrom Waller Road Elementary School havelearned the benefits of rototilling a gardenbefore planting, using quality soil, sowingseeds in rows, and perhaps the mostcritical lesson — not to step on the seedsafter they are planted. They also havelearned how to harvest the fruits of theirlabor, even if it means getting a little dirtyin the process.

This is the fifth yearthat students havewalked across thestreet to the WallerRoad Grange in springas second graders toplant more than adozen vegetablevarieties and flowersand then returned to the garden plot in fallto harvest their handiwork.

Squeals of delight are common as childrenget within sight of the 30 x 40 foot gardenplot filled with pumpkins, tomatoes, beans,carrots, potatoes, squash, and colorfulzinnias. They celebrate with a harvestfeast, including loaves of warm zucchinibread baked by Grange member Anna VanHulle. Pumpkins are also sent home with

each student, as well as with the teacherfor display at the school.

Van Hulle and her husband, Dave, alongwith help from Grange #1111 members,pair up with the children to teach themhow to plant and harvest. They alsocare for the garden during summer whilethe children are out of school, makingsure the tender seedlings are wateredand nurtured.

Alexandra Ray tugged on Teacher KathyCroft’s arm as the class left the garden lastspring, then told her excitedly that the

zinnia seeds she plantedcould start poking out ofthe dirt within 24 hours.They are, after all, one ofthe fastest growingflowers, she learned.

Jasmine Jones says shelearned “you can grow

anything. You just have to take care ofit.” And even though RaymondNewman says he “hates zucchini,” hewas quick to say he had lots of funplanting the seeds.

This year, as students waited their turns toplant in spring, they snacked on cookiesand lemonade and learned about pigs andchickens from Cheryl Ouellette, of Pigletsand More! Ouellette gave students an

opportunity to pet Abner, a 3-week-oldpig, and hold some chicks.

Once the students had tamped theirseeds into the earth, they knelt downnext to Anna Van Hulle to receive a“green thumb” — sparkly green nailpolish painted on one or both of theirthumbs. She also promised the childrenthat some of their crops would bedisplayed in the Grange’s agriculture

booth at the fall Puyallup Fair.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bringthe Grange and the school together — justlook at them all smiling,” says Croft as shegathered her students to head back to theschool last spring. As Drew Jordan tookhis place in line, he thanked the VanHulle’s and exclaimed, “I just love thisgarden place.”

Waller Road students (from left) Joshua Spanbauer and RaymondNewman plant zucchini seeds.

Students learn to plant, harvest crops in "kid's garden"

Parents, grandparents, business people,and other community members havespent the past month offering ideasabout what school improvement projectsshould be included in a 2004 bondmeasure. Now the School Board is readyto consider how the final bond packagewill look when it goes to voters as earlyas February.

Planning for classrooms and other schoolimprovements is “critical work,” and thecommunity’s input over a series of publicbond forums held over the past monthhave been helpful in developing the bondproposal, says Debra Aungst, AssistantSuperintendent for Management Ser-

vices. The School Board is scheduled tovote on the proposed bond packageMonday, October 27. The meeting beginsat 7 pm at Ballou Junior High School, 9916136th St. E., Puyallup.

“I appreciate the District giving us achance to ask questions, give our ideas,and learn the history behind the over-crowding issues,” says Jill Starks, anEdgewood parent who is one of about100 community members who attended aseries of public forums. Starks is activewith the Hilltop Elementary and DaffodilCouncil PTAs, however she attended theforum and offered her thoughts as aconcerned parent.

While Starks says the bulk of the overcrowd-ing is concentrated on the south end of theDistrict, she says North Hill area residentsneed to recognize “we are one big community— having the geographical area we do makesus a strong District. The growth now ismostly on South Hill, but those residents alsohelped us build Edgemont Junior High. Weneed to take turns, and those schoolscertainly need relief.”

District staff educated communitymembers during the forums by showingphotos and presenting written informationabout topics such as enrollment projec-tions, a growth history, portable class-room use, school capacity, and short and

long-term facilities needs. Time was setaside for participants to break into smallgroups to ask questions and offer sugges-tions about projects that should beincluded in the bond.

In addition to building and improvingschools, staff and community membersthroughout the District frequently listedupdating technology as one of their toppriorities.

“All children and teachers must have themost current technology to teach and tolearn,” says Elona Livingston, whose childattends Pope Elementary School. “This isan advantage we must make a priority.”


Maggie Rogers has the scientific know-how to describe in detail the water cycle,salmon spawning patterns, and nativeplant species at Clark’s Creek. But hermessage about how to take care of theWatershed is quite simple.

She says it’s important for people to stayon the trails, keep the creek litter free, makesure pets are on leashes, and “stay quietso animals in the forest will not becomescared.” By following these simple rules,she says people can continue to enjoy thebirds and animals and hear the wind that“flows through my leaves and makes abeautiful noise.”

Rogers, a sixth grader last year atFruitland Elementary school, is amongseveral students from Fruitland,Maplewood, and Spinning elementaryschools who toured Clark’s Creek

Students contribute to Clark's Creek bookThe School Board recently recognizedthose who participated in the project,including community groups and agenciesthat partnered with the schools, DistrictScience Resource Center staff whocoordinated the effort, teachers and otherschool staff who assisted, and a number ofstudent authors and illustrators.

The project began last spring when fifthand sixth graders from Maplewood andFruitland elementary schools spent a daytouring Clark’s Creek with qualifiedenvironmental educators. Students hikedto learning centers set up at MaplewoodSprings Pond, the Puyallup Fish Hatchery,a streamside bridge, and the forested areain the hills above the creek.

Matthew Peretti and Bobby Reed, bothfifth graders last year at MaplewoodElementary, said they especially likedlearning about how chinook, coho, andchum salmon return every year to spawnand lay eggs. Staff from the South PugetSound Salmon Enhancement Group gavestudents a close-up look at salmon eggsin tiny jars, and students crowded aroundas they opened the lid of a plasticcontainer that featured small salmonswimming in water.

Four watershed experts shared theirknowledge with students, and in thefollowing days students had the opportu-nity to share what they learned about thesalmon, trees, plants, wildlife, and thewater cycle through their artistic expres-sion of the science experience.

District Math Curriculum Specialist ChrisHumphreys helped educate studentsabout birds and trees in a learning stationset up in the forest. Participating teachersin the project included Kim Hines and AnnValentine from Maplewood Elementary,and Dan Cline and Scott Caufield fromFruitland Elementary. Science ResourceCenter staff, as well as District ArtSpecialist Debbie Munson and RogersHigh Senior Merritt Riley, helped facilitatethe writing and art lessons.

First graders from JoAnn Kocha’s andVirginia Masewicz’s classes at Spinning

Elementary School took a separate tour ofthe creek and also have artwork featured.

The booklet, distributed to residents alongthe creek and available to the communityat large, was possible thanks to partner-ships between the School District andmany groups and agencies. The projectwas funded by a grant written by thePuyallup River Watershed Council andreceived from the National Parks Service,Rivers and Trails Assistance Program.

Giftmakers seeks donationsPuyallup Giftmakers, a “kids helpingkids” program operated by students inthe Puyallup School District, is in needof donations. Program organizers arelooking for any of these items: newstuffed animals; new and nearly newtoys for ages 4 through 14; coats (manyof the District's families have childrenwithout coats); mittens and hats (manychildren have no warm mittens or hatsfor cold weather); stocking stuffers (newor nearly new); sporting equipment;gifts suitable for teenagers; holidaystockings, and books for ages 4 to 14.Items can be dropped off at Rogers HighSchool or the South Hill Mall.

Giftmakers is the District’s program thathelps needy families each December.Parents can leave their children with anon-site babysitter and shop for presents,which are toys and other items donatedby the community.

As no District funds can be used for thisproject, monetary donations are alwaysappreciated. Checks should be made outto the Puyallup Schools Foundation andsent to Karen Hansen, AdministrativeAssistant to the Superintendent, at thePuyallup School District, PO Box 370,Puyallup, WA 98371.

Watershed last spring and completedcreative writing and art projects abouttheir visit. They had their work publishedin a stewardship booklet titled,“I am Clark’s Creek.” The book offersideas and assistance about how to be agood neighbor to the creek for peoplewho live in and around the Watershed, aswell as to those who visit the area neardowntown Puyallup.

Donna Steffensen makes a leafprint last spring at FruitlandElementary School.

Michael Johnson, a student lastyear at Maplewood Elementary,examines salmon eggs.

Conference partnersfaith community,School DistrictPeople interested in discussing how tobuild partnerships between publicschools and faith communities areinvited to attend a one-day conferenceOctober 28.The conference, presented by thePuyallup School District and area faithcommunities, is scheduled from 8 am to1 pm at the Best Western Park Plaza onSouth Hill. Deadline for registration isOctober 17, and the cost is $35 includinglunch and refreshments. Registrationforms are available at the SchoolDistrict’s central office, 302 Second St.SE, Puyallup, in the main offices atindividual schools, or on the Districtwebsite www.puyallup.k12.wa.us.The conference is designed for faithcommunity leaders (lay and clergy) andeducators such as building principals,school board members, administrators,and other interested persons. Partici-pants will be informed about issues inpublic education and be aware of thepossibilities for appropriate connectionswith public schools in their communities.For more information, contact KarenHansen, Administrative Assistant to theSuperintendent at (253) 841-8703, orDayle Robbs, CityGate Church at (253)848-1422 or (253) 848-0345.

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