Going on job interviews? Giving a business presentation? Leading a meeting? Need confidence? Toastmasters is the answer!

The ability to speak well is crucial to success, but have you ever evaluated your speaking skills? Many people, if they were to seek feedback, would learn that they talk too much, or perhaps too softly, that they fill their sentences with “ums” and “uhs,” or that they are hard to follow. You might say that it’s the message that matters; but if you can’t put your ideas across in a way that makes people want to listen, that promotion or that leadership position could be a long time coming.

Toastmasters offers a formal, self-paced program that will help you learn to speak better. The two keys to this are practice and feedback. Toastmasters clubs provide a friendly and supportive setting where you can practice your public speaking, and receive constructive feedback. Darlene Burrill says, “Toastmasters has given me the courage to speak in front of a group in spite of my speech impediment.”

To learn more about Toastmasters attend an Open House at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Arrive at 6:45am to receive your guest packet and get your coffee or juice. There will be a light breakfast served at break time.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters Open House
4 Lessons on Speaking from “The Karate Kid”
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Across the street from Azteca, next to Hi-Line Lanes
7:00am – 8:15am
Arrive at 6:45am for Guest Packets, Coffee and Juice
For more info contact Theresa 206-588-5088 or burienbreakfast.com@gmail.com

There will be three parts to the meeting, the prepared speeches, the evaluations, and “Table Topics”. The prepared speeches are usually of five to seven minutes long. Each member is given in a manual that sets out ten speech projects. Each of these has a specific goal, such as speech structure, using gestures, pauses and vocal inflection. These will help you learn how to express your ideas clearly and with confidence. Bang Parkinson, the President of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, says that using the speech projects helped her gain confidence and feel comfortable presenting at board meetings at work. “Even though I still have my Chinese accent, people understand me better. Giving speeches at Toastmasters helped me to articulate well and to speak slower, clearer and smoother.”

After each speech an evaluator, usually a Toastmaster more experienced than the speaker, provides feedback. This takes the form of an impromptu speech and the objective is to give suggestions on how to improve future speeches because feedback is essential to learning.

For many people the “Table Topics” part of a meeting is the most frightening, yet this is also of the greatest benefit for those wanting to improve how they speak at work. In Table Topics each person is called upon to speak impromptu on a subject. If you’ve never done it before, delivering an interesting and well-structured talk to a group of attentive listeners without any preparation can be extremely difficult. Yes, the first time is hard, but it gets easier with practice, and that’s precisely the point. As Jean Schmidt says, “I used to be legally blind. Science gave me back my eyesight. Toastmasters opened my eyes. Now they can’t keep my mouth shut!”

Attend a meeting and you’ll find Toastmasters are more than willing to share stories of how Table Topics practice helped them at work. From explaining a project to a group of unexpected visitors to persuading colleagues to consider a crazy idea, being able to express thoughts clearly is essential to being viewed as both confident and competent. Roger Wells will tell you how Table Topics saved his dad’s life when with no preparation he had to convince medical authorities to hospitalize his dad at once.

You can learn these skills and more in a supportive, self paced, fun atmosphere at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters. Join us at our Open House September 9, 2010 at 6:45am or at any of our regularly scheduled meetings.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
7:00am – 8:15am

Prior to the grand opening of the new Burien location at 626 SW 152nd Street, Grand Central Bakery pledged to contribute a portion of the opening day sales to two local organizations. Today they followed through by handing over checks for 100% of their first day sales.

The two groups receiving checks this morning (Aug 27) were the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence and the Highline Area Food Bank. Thanks to sales that set a opening day record for Grand Central, each organization received a check for $2,350.

Mike Werle, Executive Director of the Highline Area Food Bank, acknowledged the donation saying, “We’re very fortunate to have a business come into our community and latch on to organizations like ours.”

Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, President of the Highline Schools Foundation Board of Trustees, agreed and welcomed Grand Central to the neighborhood saying, “While we appreciate all of our community support, for a new business to step up like this is unprecedented.”

Photos by Michael Brunk. Click to view larger versions.

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is hosting their annual Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction on October 2nd. Here are all the details:

Join the fun on Saturday October 2 from 6:00 to 11:00 PM, at the Normandy Park Cove, for an authentic Bavarian festival. The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence (HSFFE) is once again hosting an Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction to raise funds for the Arts and Middle & High School Athletics. HSFFE is partnering with the community to support the Brat Trot a family fun run and other fall celebrations around the Highline communities.

Traditionally, Oktoberfest marks the end of the harvest and is the preparation for winter. It was believed that a festival at this time would provide an ideal “relief valve.” The Foundation’s event is designed to be this “relief valve” and to build awareness about the work of the organization.

This year the Oktoberfest chairs are Chuck and Lisa Tuman and they have planned a wild event! Elliott Bay Brewery will again supply the beer, Dan “the Sausage man” House (Tin Room) the brats and Fernwood at the Park the ever popular hot potato salad (among other goodies). They are also bringing back Foremost DJ to rock the night away with tunes from every era, including the Chicken Dance! HSFFE is excited to have Mike Bishoff (Brat Trot and Cove-2-Clover race director) as our Emcee and Chuck Tuman as the Auctioneer for the 2010 Oktoberfest. They hope to fill the Cove with 300 community members and educators – so sign up early. One more note. . . Chuck and Lisa are working hard to bring back that 6’3” Austrian Yodeler with the initials MH!

This event is sure to be a festive and fun evening designed to bring community members together in support of our schools. HSFFE believes that strong schools build strong communities and a robust economy. The tickets for this over 21 event are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. You can purchase tickets at the Foundation website www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org or by calling 206.248.5196. Come early for happy hour from 6:00 to 7:00 they have discounts on beer and wine!

HSFFE was founded in 2001 with a mission of “providing Community Resources to help the Highline Public School Succeed.” HSFFE is the only 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting all 17,400 students in all 35 of the Highline Public Schools. The Foundation serves as a single point of contact for members of the community, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

Highline Public School District is one of the most diverse in the state of Washington with over 60% of the students on the free or reduced lunch program and over 65% students of color. HSFFE works to foster an environment that helps all students reach their highest potential. The HSFFE Board President, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom stated, “We want all students have opportunities participate in activities and to have an enriched classroom experience.” To this end, HSFFE raises funds to support: classroom grants that enhance the educational experience; provide scholarships to needy students for summer arts academies and summer science camps; support middle and high school sports activities; a discretionary fund for homeless students (to keep them in school); an annual prom dress give away for approximately 100 economically disadvantaged high school students; and scholarships to graduating seniors going to universities, community and technical schools.

For more information about the Highline Schools Foundation or to volunteer contact Holly Moore at 206.248.5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org

Ever wonder what is lurking in the waters of Puget Sound? Fish, crustaceans, sea weed and yes, sharks! While the Discovery Channel is wrapping up Shark Week, the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market will be celebrating Puget Sound marine life this Saturday at the market.

Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center will be on hand to share information about Puget Sound sea life communities and will have some of their sea creatures for you to “see and touch.” MaST will also be at the market on Kids Day, September 11, and once a month for the entire 2011 season.

The market had over 43 vendors last week, the largest market this year! Come down this week and enjoy the sweet sounds of local group, Saltwater Saints. Fresh produce is bountiful and the flowers are spectacular. There are many hand crafted food and craft items as well.

One market shopper commented: “There is something here for everyone!” Fruits, vegetables, flowers, beef, pasta, berries, honey, cheese, breads, ice cream, nuts, jams/jellies, apple butter, BBQ sauces, hand crafted items all grown or made in Washington. Be sure to stop by and thank our Market Day Sponsor, Des Moines Methodist Church!

The Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center, part of Highline Community College, offers the local community a chance to interact with the underwater communities of Puget Sound. Visitors can “see” and “touch” animals from Puget Sound in 11 large flow-through tanks. The center has volunteers, known as stewards, who give talks about the sea life in the tanks as well as caring for the creatures while spectators can watch. The center is open to the public for Water Weekends every Saturday from 10am to 2pm – free of charge.

Highline Community College has been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top news source about colleges and universities, as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For” in their recent survey of colleges and universities nation-wide.

The survey was conducted at 277 colleges and universities and involved more than 42,000 employees. The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff.

Highline was recognized in five categories, including:

• Professional/Career-Development Programs
• Teaching Environment
• Job Satisfaction and Support
• Work/Life Balance
• Confidence in Senior Leadership

Highline is also one of the 39 institutions selected for The Chronicle’s Honor Roll, an honor that recognizes the top colleges and universities in their size categories – small, medium and large. Highline won in the medium-sized category.

The lowest tide of the summer occurred at our local beaches today, almost three and a half feet lower than average.

When these low tides happen, you’ll find volunteer naturalists at Seahurst Beach and Des Moines Beach. They’re part of a program run by the Seattle Aquarium.

From late May until early August, naturalists are available during scheduled days and hours to help visitors explore the beaches and learn more about the creatures that make this habitat their home.

We’ll experience another lower than average tide tomorrow just after noon. Beach naturalists will again be available from 10 AM until 2 PM. This is a great, free, family outing right here in our own community!

You can find out the dates that beach naturalists will be available at area beaches and get information on tides at the Seattle Aquarium website.

Photographer Michael Brunk was at Des Moines Beach today for low tide and captured these photos. Click on the image to advance through the slideshow.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Photos and Story by Michael Brunk

At a reception held May 26th at the Des Moines Yacht Club, the Des Moines Dollars for Scholars celebrated their tenth anniversary by rewarding 18 local students with scholarships totaling $10,000.

Des Moines Dollars for Scholars is a local non-profit organization operated by an all volunteer Board of Directors. Their mission is to provide support and financial aid to students in Des Moines and Normandy Park by connecting them with a variety of scholarships offered within the local community.

For 2010, the following scholarships were awarded:

Des Moines Dollars for Scholars Scholarships
	Theresa Amell	Highline Community College
	Debra Eads	Highline Community College
	Mackenzie Loftus	Western Washington University
	Briana Ruth	Gonzaga University
	Lewis Thomson	Montana State University
	Jordan Wilkins	Highline Community College
Des Moines First Mates Scholarships
	Dorothy Franks	Skidmore College
	Daniel Matthews	University of Washington
	Giovanni Tinoca Mejia	Gene Juarez Academy
Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Scholarships
	Felicia Doubek	University of San Francisco
	Bryan Murray	Highline Community College
	Amanda Powell	Montana State University
Des Moines Kiwanis Scholarship (in memory of Vera Harper)
	Suhmiin Chern	University of Washington
Des Moines Rotary Scholarship
	Bertha Vo	Howard Mudd College
Powell Homes Scholarship
	Michael Molina	University of Washington
Southwest Seattle Business and Professional Women Scholarship
	Yessica Zapata	South Seattle Community College
Steven Underwood Memorial Scholarships
	Nate Korzeniecki	Central Washington University
	Andrea Pacunski	Highline Community College

Vickie Bergquist, President of Des Moines Dollars for Scholars, summed up the general sentiment expressed by many of the evening’s presenters in telling one student, “I want you to know your entire community is proud of you!”

Photographer Michael Brunk attended the event and captured the following photos.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

WLB Reader Mysty Beal tells us that Des Moines’ own Pacific Middle School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Steen, is heading to San Francisco this Thursday, May 27th, for the annual Heritage Festival competition.

According to Mysty:

After a quick run through San Francisco’s famed Pier 39, they’ll boat across the bay to Alcatraz (for a tour, not incarceration). On Friday, they’ll head inland to the campus of UC Berkeley to attend a clinic held by Dr. Bob Calonico, Director of the Berkeley Wind Ensemble. He’ll give them a final tune-up prior to their performance at the Heritiage Festival competition, held at Foothills College.

Competition pieces the Wind Ensemble will perform include “Quest of the Undaunted Knight” by Greg Hillis; a chorale piece, “Modal Song and Dance” by Elliott Del Borgo; and a march called “Raging Thunder” by David Shaffer.

Best of luck to the Wind Ensemble, and here’s hoping they can again bring home the Gold!

Story by Janet Grella with photos by Michael Brunk

Over 300 supporters of the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence gathered at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Southcenter on Friday, May 21st to celebrate the Tenth Annual Gold Star Awards for the Highline School District.

The highly supportive audience was also told that the foundation has raised over $1 million in its 10-year history. These donations have funded many opportunities for teachers and students that they may not have had otherwise.

Honored Gold Star recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator – Rick Harwood, Principal at Global Connections High School. Mr. Harwood was honored as he “embodies all the traits of a knowledgeable, dedicated, caring and hard-working principal. All his actions and energies are centered around creating kind, intelligent, thoughtful and action-oriented young adults.”

Outstanding Classified Employee – Jacqueline Faundez, Cedarhurst Elementary. The Gold Star committee found Ms. Faundez “an especially effective advocate for our students most in need, regardless of home language or background. As an ELL tutor, Jacqueline is a professional in every sense – good at what she does and continually striving to improve.”

Outstanding Teacher – Carlyn Roedell, Bow Lake Elementary. Ms Roedell was chosen as she is “the paragon of an effective teacher. She loves to learn and she loves to teach. Her students are inspired by her enthusiasm, joy, and hard work. The test results back up her success.”

Outstanding Volunteers – Klara & Braxton Dunn, Gregory Heights Elementary were selected due to “their dedication, belief in children, and high standards, which led them to introduce themselves and ask to help out ten years ago. They have a passion for inspiring youngsters.”

The last award in this annual fund raising event was for Lifetime Achievement and was awarded to Reba Gilman, CEO/Principal of Aviation High School. Ms. Gilman spent 16 years at Seatac’s Occupational Skills Center prior to becoming the first Principal of Highline’s Aviation High School. The award was presented by Tom Russell, Emeritus Trustee for the Foundation.

Musical entertainment included harpist Clara McMichael from Pacific Middle School and Mt. Rainier High School’s “Music Company” directed by Sara Stricherz. The guests enjoyed a wide variety of song and dance from this award winning choir during lunch.

The Master of Ceremonies was Peter Fewing. Besides being a proud Pirate and Highline High School graduate. Mr. Fewing is known around the Northwest for Peter Fewing Soccer Camps and his broadcast on 710 ESPN radio, talking about what else, but Soccer. He is also coach of the Kitsap Pumas.

Boeing was the Executive Event Sponsor. Event Sponsors included Rogers and Norman, Saint-Gobain Containers and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Photographer Michael Brunk assembled this slideshow with additional scenes from the awards luncheon.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Highline Community College’s Athletics Department is holding its annual T-Bird Classic golf tournament, on Friday, June 11th at Elk Run Golf Club in Maple Valley.

The tournament benefits the Highline Community College’s Athletics department.

Cost is $110 per person, and the fee includes cart, green fees, beverages on the course and dinner after the tournament.

Participants have a chance to win cash and vacation prizes, and sponsorship packages from $200-$5,000 are available.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline College’s Ahletic Department’s T-Bird Classic

WHEN: Friday, June 11; Check-in begins at 10 a.m. with shot gun start at 11 a.m.

COST: $110 per person

WHERE: Elk Run Golf Club, 22500 S.E. 275th Place, Maple Valley, 98038

INFO: For more info, check out the Athletics Department’s website: www.highline.edu/stuserv/athletics/

The Equity and Civil Rights division of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is holding a series of community forums to gather input on HB3026, a new Washington state law that bans discrimination in public schools.

The first will be held on Tuesday, May 25, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines.

All feedback is sought and those who have experienced or witnessed discrimination based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, veteran or military status, or disability are especially encouraged to attend.

If you require interpretation or other accommodations to attend, please contact Bernadette Merikle, manager of community engagement for Highline Public Schools at meriklbl@hsd401.org or at 206.433.2331.

Parents and community members from throughout King County are encouraged to attend this forum.

Highline Community College’s Spring Festival 2010 is coming Friday, May 21st from 9am – 1pm, and is intended for local high school students, current HCC students and the entire community, and will include a college fair, workshops and food and entertainment.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline College’s Spring Festival 2010.

WHEN: Friday, May 21st from 9 am to 1 pm.

WHERE: Highline Community College, located at 2400 S. 240th Street in Des Moines.

INFO: This is for Local High School students, current Highline students, and the community, and will include:

• College Fair 9-11:30am (Bldg. 8): Reps from over 20 colleges and universities will be on campus
• Workshops 9:50-11:25am (Various Classrooms): College and Career related – paying for college, powerful resume writing, campus life and much more
• Food & Entertainment 11:30am-1pm (outside of Bldg. 8): $3 barbecue lunch or cafeteria options, live music and interactive activities

More info available at the college’s website here.

Highline Community College International Students and Local Seniors at WLB Advertiser Wesley Homes are sponsoring Culture Fest, on Thursday, May 20th.

It’ll be held from 6pm – 8pm at the Wesley Homes Des Moines Terrace auditorium, located at 816 South 216th Street.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Culture Fest, sponsored by Highline Community College International Students and Wesley Homes.

WHEN: Thursday, May 20th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Wesley Homes Des Moines Terrace auditorium, located at 816 South 216th Street.

TICKETS: Tickets are $8, and admission will include:

• International foods samplings
• Entertainment from around the world
• Culture booths from many countries
• Free shuttle from Des Moines Activity Center

INFO: Visitors are encouraged to “surprise us by wearing the costume of your heritage” but that’s not a requirement.

The Des Moines Activity Center is a sponsor, and all proceeds from this event benefit senior programs and services for the Des Moines and Normandy Park communities.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (206) 878-1642.

On Wednesday (April 14), the Highline Schools Foundation released its list of nominees for the 2010 Gold Star Awards, with 27 names from 20 different schools in the district.

Gold Star Awards honor outstanding teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers in the Highline Public Schools, and all members of the school community were invited to nominate their peers. The entry deadline was April 1st.

Winners will receive a cash award and will be honored at the Foundation’s Gold Star Luncheon on May 21st at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact it’s had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of their major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for students.

The Gold Star Teacher of the Year will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.

Congrats to all the 2010 Gold Star Nominees:

• Carlyn Roedell, Bow Lake Elementary
• Lori Bento, Marvista Elementary
• Jeffrey Steen, Pacific Middle School
• Renee Gallagher, Odyssey
• Joan Johnston, Gregory Heights
• Dennis Storkson, Parkside Elementary
• Kevin Blaylock, Puget Sound Skills Center
• Nikhil Joshi, Aviation High School
• Jill Weseman, Global Connections High School
• Joanne Stevenson, North Hill Elementary
• Dena Sanchez, Cedarhurst Elementary
• Janie Marra, Woodside Campus
• Klara & Braxton Dunn, Gregory Heights Elementary
• Rick Harwood, Global Connections High School
• Linda Sutch, Hazel Valley/ERAC
• Kirsten Gunn, Highline High School
• Casie Fahiye, Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment
• Jeanne Stratton, Bow Lake Elementary
• Christopher Bookey, Technology Services/Southern Heights Elementary
• Janelle Hrisko, Midway Elementary
• Cheryl Jones, Midway Elementary
• Adriana Gonzalez, Midway Elementary
• Louise Faivre-Bavins, Midway Elementary
• Jennifer Fichamba, Evergreen Campus
• Jacqueline Faundez, Cedarhurst Elementary
• Stacie Huffman Lee, ECEAP
• Cynthia Gilbert, Health Sciences and Human Services High School
• Theda Hiranaka, Aviation High School

Here’s more info on the May 21st awards luncheon:

Simply titled “ten”, this year’s luncheon is May 21, 2010 at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact we’ve had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

Each year, four Gold Star Awards are presented to an outstanding teacher, administrator, classified employee or support staff and volunteer of Highline Public Schools. All members of the district and community are invited to nominate an outstanding individual. Winners receive a cash award and will be honored at the luncheon. The Gold Star Outstanding Teacher will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2010.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of our major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for our students. We look forward to partnering with you this year and hope to see you at the 10th Annual Gold Star Luncheon!

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 1999 with the purpose of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed. We believe that by helping to enrich the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level of learning, and the entire community will benefit. The Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of volunteer Trustees and is the only 501(c)(3) organization supporting all Highline Public Schools. The Foundation strives to be the single point of contact for community members, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

Please see the links below for more information on becoming a sponsor at this years Gold Star or to download the Nomination form. For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

“Dollars for Scholars” is a scholarship program that provides thousands of dollars in funds each year to students who live or go to school in Des Moines or Normandy Park. This year they are offering 10 scholarships, and strangely, according to WLB Advertiser Vickie Bergquist, to date there have been NO applicants!

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 21st.

Many generous local businesses and organizations donate to this fund to help further education, and we encourage anyone out there needing tuition assistance to at least apply!

Applications are available online at www.scholarsgetdollars.com.

Here’s more info from their website:

What Is Des Moines Dollars for Scholars?
Des Moines Dollars for Scholars is a locally operated and supported, nonprofit, tax-exempt scholarship foundation. Operated by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, the purpose of Dollars for Scholars is to expand access to educational opportunities by involving and assisting our community in the support of students and in the encouragement of educational achievement. Des Moines Dollars for Scholars is a Dollars for Scholars chapter affiliate of Scholarship America®, a nationally recognized nonprofit student aid service organization.

Why Is Dollars for Scholars So Important?
Rising costs are making it more difficult for individuals to pursue continued education opportunities. Through Dollars for Scholars we have the opportunity to make a strong, collective statement about the importance of education beyond high school. We can provide both encouragement and financial support for local students.

Who May Apply for a Scholarship?
Des Moines Dollars for Scholars believes any sincere and determined person should have the opportunity to continue his or her education after graduation. Scholarships can be for two-year, four-year, or vocational and technical colleges. Students graduating from high school (or who have earned their GED) and adults continuing their education who attend school in Des Moines or who live in the cities of Des Moines or Normandy Park, Washington, may be eligible.

How Are Scholarships Awarded?
By completing a common application form, students become eligible for several local awards. Applications are scored anonymously by trained volunteers serving on an Awards Committee. Applicants receive points for a variety of qualities, including work experience, school and community activities, and academic record. In this way, the selection process is objective and nondiscriminatory, making scholarships available to a wide range of deserving students planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution.

How Can I Help?
Members of our community are invited to demonstrate their support of local students individually and through group fund-raising activities. Funds also come from the generous support of local businesses, service organizations, and individuals or organizations who desire to sponsor scholarships through Des Moines Dollars for Scholars. Anyone in the community can help in a variety of ways: Make a contribution. We encourage you to give as generously as you can, but be assured that any and all gifts are appreciated. Your contribution of $10, $100, or $1000 reflects your pride in our students and commitment to the ongoing education of people in our community. Share your time, your skills and your ideas. We invite you to assist with any of our fund-raising events throughout the year. Leave a legacy of hope. Des Moines Dollars for Scholars may be named as a beneficiary in wills and insurance policies or receive gifts of property.

The Highline School District will be holding a food drive the week of April 26 – 30, with donations going to both the White Center and Des Moines Food Banks.

According to a release, each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

With the Feinstein Foundation Challenge still active, donations could effectively be doubled through April 30th.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact on the needs of our community members,” said Audrey Zemke of the White Center Food Bank. “The Alan Feinstein Foundation splits one million dollars in matching funds for all monetary and food donations through April 30.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline School District food drive.

WHEN: The week of April 26 – 30 (Mon-Fri).

WHERE: All Highline Public Schools.

INFO: From a release:

Help fight hunger! Did you know one in five families with children in our region does not have enough money to buy food?

During the week of April 26 – 30, you have a chance to help change that! Highline Public Schools will partner with the Des Moines and White Center Food Banks to raise food and funds for the hungry.

Each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

We can do this! Stamp out hunger in our community!

Bring non-perishable items…

OR

CASH! ($1 = $4 buying power!)

You can also donate online:

• www.myfoodbank.org (Des Moines)
• www.whitecenterfoodbank.org

Or send donations to:

Highline Food Bank
P.O. Box 66427
Burien, WA 98166

Highline Community College’s “Unity through Diversity Week” is coming April 26 through May 1st, and the theme this year is “Institutions, Power and Privilege.”

One of the more interesting offerings will be the third annual “Drag Show” Tuesday evening, April 27th from 6pm–8pm (and no, we’re not talking about car racing here…).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline College’s Unity through Diversity Week: Institutions, Power and Privilege

WHEN: April 26-May 1, 2010

WHERE: Various locations around campus; see schedule below for specifics:

SCHEDULE:

Monday, April 26:

• Racial Microaggressions and Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education Lecture by Dr. Miguel Ceja 11:00-11:50 Building 7 (Co-sponsored by the Learning & Teaching Center): Racial Microaggressions are defined “subtle, innocuous, preconscious, or unconscious degradations, and putdowns” (Pierce, 1995). Using critical race theory as a framework, this talk will explore the educational experiences of students of color in higher education. Furthermore this talk will examine the campus racial climate in an effort to understand the concept of racial microaggressions and their adverse effect on students of color. Dr. Ceja is an Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at California State University, Northridge.
• Enhancing and Strengthening the Campus Racial Climate: A Collective Effort Workshop facilitated by Dr. Miguel Ceja 1:30-3:00 HSU- Mt. Constance room: Workshop for faculty/staff (Sponsored by the Learning & Teaching Center): In this interactive workshop participants will have the opportunity to discuss issues of diversity in higher education and propose recommendations for developing and sustaining a healthy campus racial climate for faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Miguel Ceja is an Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at California State University, Northridge

Tuesday, April 27, 2010:

• The Color of the Race Problem Is White Lecture by Dr. Robert Jensen 11:00-11:50 Building 7 (Co-sponsored by the Learning &Teaching Center): In The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois suggested that the question white people so often want to ask black people is, “How does it feel to be a problem?” This program turns the tables and recognizes some simple facts: Race problems have their roots in a system of white supremacy. White people invented white supremacy. Therefore, the color of the race problem is white. White people are the problem. White people have to ask ourselves: How does it feel to be a problem? Following the ideas in his book The Heart of Whiteness, Jensen argues that — even decades after the significant achievements of the civil-rights movement and with an African-American president — it is still appropriate to describe the United States as a white-supremacist society, in terms of how we think and how we live. Through an analysis of contemporary racial ideology, Jensen presents a framework for critiquing the naturalizing of power and privilege in other arenas of our lives (gender, class, nationality, and ecology). How have we come to accept so easily systems of domination and subordination? How did we become resigned to hierarchy? How can we challenge the unjust and unsustainable nature of the systems in which we live? Robert Jensen is a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin and board member of the Third Coast Activist Resource Center in Austin. His articles can be found online at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/index.html.
• Beyond Race, Gender, and Class: Understanding the Roots of Privilege Dr. Robert Jensen Workshop for faculty/staff 1:30-3:00 HSU- Mt. Constance (Sponsored by the Learning &Teaching Center): Many corporate, governmental, and educational institutions in the contemporary United States articulate a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. The discussion of race, gender, and class has been institutionalized in many of these institutional settings. Such changes signal progress, but do they indicate that U.S. society has made a serious commitment to a more just distribution of wealth and power? Has this multicultural moment led to an ongoing critique of the deeper systems of authority in the culture? Using the concept of privilege in race, gender, and class, this workshop will raise questions about systems and structures of power that can allow us to go beyond polite “diversity talk” to discuss what would be needed to transform our society and promote justice and sustainability. Any serious effort toward those goals must confront the structures of power in the contemporary United States that produce such profound inequality. Robert Jensen is a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin and board member of the Third Coast Activist Resource Center in Austin. His articles can be found online at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/index.html.
• 3rd annual Drag Show 6:00-8:00 HSU- Mt. Townsend (Co-sponsored by the Gay/Straight Alliance): Come to Highline Community College‟s 3rd annual Drag Show event. Performers from both the Drag Queen and Drag King communities will show their best talents and entertain you for an evening you don‟t want to miss.

Wednesday, April 28:

• ALIVE & FREE: Eliminating the Disease of Violence Presentation by Marquis White, Leletha Williams, J’Quai Holiday 12:10-1:13 Building 7 (Co-sponsored with Honor’s Colloquy): Violence is a public health issue and a social disease. Alive & Free is the prescription to eliminating the disease. Alive & Free, a nationally recognized youth development and violence prevention organization works with communities to eliminate the “risk” factors of violence by dealing with emotional residues and breaking unhealthy norms. Presentation will focus on the individual and systemic roles of violence.
• Caucus Discussion, Topic: Youth Violence, Facilitated by Thomas Tobin; 1:30-2:30 Leadership Resource Room- HSU- 3rd floor Come to this caucus discussion where we will be investigating the causes of and solutions to youth violence.

Thursday, April 29:

• Searching Routes and Roots for Songs of Ghosts Talk by Quynh-Tram Nguyen, School of Social Work- UW-Tacoma 10:00-10:50 HSU- Mt. Constance room. In the tradition of storytelling this interactive lecture aims to reveal an insider‟s perspective in migrant invisibility in North America landscapes. Quynh-Tram Nguyen is a faculty member in the School of Social Work at UW-Tacoma and Doctoral Candidate in the PhD Social Science Program, Taos-Tilburg University. Her public scholarship focuses on performance-based community work where creative tension between the local and „global‟, between the familiar and unfamiliar, the being at-home and the being on-the-move takes place.
• Backstage Racism: How Nice White Students Perpetuate the Racial Hierarchy Lecture by Dr. Leslie Houts Picca 11:00-11:50 Building 7 (Co-sponsored by the Learning & Teaching Center): It’s more comfortable to view racism as “bad acts committed by bad people.” Dr. Picca‟s lecture draws upon her research on 626 journals of racial events kept by white college students at twenty-eight colleges in the United States. Dr. Picca co-author of the book “Two Faced Racism: Whites in the Backstage and Frontstage” (Routledge, 2007 with Joe Feagin) examines and explains the racial attitudes and behaviors exhibited by whites in private settings. Picca earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida, and is now a Sociology professor at the University of Dayton in Ohio. She has publications in the areas of racial relations, and adolescent sexuality. Her research on racial relations has been nationally recognized, and she has been interviewed by CNN, the Associated Press, Congressional Quarterly, National Public Radio, Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, among others. She is also the proud mother of three daughters ages 4, 2, and 10 months.

Friday, April 30:

• Safe Zones Workshop Facilitated by Joshua Magallanes, Multicultural Services & High School Programs 10:00-11:30 Building 2; Although grossly understudied, research indicates that Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Questioning (GLBTQ) students hear derogatory words such as “fag, homo and gay” an average of 26 times per day. In K-12 education, colleges and universities, 85% of teachers oppose integrating GLBTQ topics into the curriculum (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network 2003).The Safe Zones education program is part of a national program that focuses on basic GLBTQ concepts, definitions, theories and building skills to confront homophobia and heterosexism. This interactive workshop will focus on campus climate for GLBTQ communities and allies and strategies to address individual and institutional forms of homophobia.
• Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? 12:30-2:00 Building 7 (Co-sponsored with Movie Fridays) In sickness and in wealth- how does the distribution of power, wealth and resources shape opportunities for health? Unnatural Causes is the acclaimed documentary series broadcast by PBS and now used by thousands of organizations around the country to tackle the root causes of our alarming socio-economic and racial inequities in health. Viewing and discussion facilitated by Melissa Ponder and Natasha Burrowes.

Saturday, May 1:

• 2nd annual Teaching Equity Conference May 1, 2010 9:00-3:30 pm Highline Campus; This year’s event is being held in collaboration with CWU’s Power of Diversity project and The Center for Excellence in Education’s Future Teacher’s Conference. The professional development experience for future educators and those interested in teaching will provide important information for participants regarding successful pathways to becoming a teacher and the need for all educators to be culturally competent. There will be panel discussions throughout the day in addition to workshops, information tables from local colleges/universities, and entertainment. More information at: http://www.teachingequity.com/.

For more information on this year’s event, download the program here (PDF file). To view presentations from last year, click here.

Des Moines’ Aviation High School is one of four Highline Public Schools to be recognized with the 2009 Washington Achievement Award, which celebrates the state’s top-performing schools and recognizes achievement in language arts, math, science, gifted education, graduation rate, and overall excellence.

The four Highline schools to receive the award are:

• Aviation High School – Science, Overall Excellence (Des Moines)
• Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment (ACE) – Language Arts (SeaTac)
• Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) – Language Arts (White Center)
• Marvista Elementary – Science (Normandy Park)

The Washington Achievement Award was created by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. This highly selective award is based on schools’ performance according to the newly created School Accountability Index, a comprehensive measurement of how schools in Washington are performing over time. Schools are selected for the award based on their state assessment data for the previous three years.

“The selection process for the Washington Achievement Award is very rigorous, and your staff, students, parents, and community can take real pride in being part of this elite group,” said State Superintendent Randy Dorn.

“These awards show the progress we are making in student achievement,” said Highline Superintendent John Welch. “We have seen that when we raise the bar and hold students to high expectations, they meet and even exceed them.”

The award-winning schools will be recognized at a state awards ceremony in Renton on May 5th.

The Highline Schools Foundation is now accepting nominations for this year’s Gold Star Awards, which will honor outstanding teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers in the Highline Public Schools.

All members of the school community are invited to nominate their peers, and the deadline for nominations is April 1st.

Winners will receive a cash award and will be honored at the Foundation’s Gold Star Luncheon on May 21st.

Nomination forms will be available through school administrators and on the Foundation’s website: www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org, or you can download the form directly here.

The Gold Star Teacher of the Year will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.

Here’s more info on the May 21st awards luncheon:

Simply titled “ten”, this year’s luncheon is May 21, 2010 at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact we’ve had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

Each year, four Gold Star Awards are presented to an outstanding teacher, administrator, classified employee or support staff and volunteer of Highline Public Schools. All members of the district and community are invited to nominate an outstanding individual. Winners receive a cash award and will be honored at the luncheon. The Gold Star Outstanding Teacher will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2010.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of our major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for our students. We look forward to partnering with you this year and hope to see you at the 10th Annual Gold Star Luncheon!

Please see the links below for more information on becoming a sponsor at this years Gold Star or to download the Nomination form. For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 1999 with the purpose of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed. We believe that by helping to enrich the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level of learning, and the entire community will benefit. The Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of volunteer Trustees and is the only 501(c)(3) organization supporting all Highline Public Schools. The Foundation strives to be the single point of contact for community members, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

If you’re not familiar with the Highline Schools Foundation, here’s a video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCeUYwozaIM[/youtube]

On Thursday (Mar. 4), Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics (ITTL) announced that it had received $250,000 to provide additional job training opportunities for positions in the international trade sector.

“As our economy continues to change and adjust so too must our workforce,” said U.S. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA). “This funding will help do just that by training Washington state workers for a career in a growing sector of our local economy – international trade.”

The project — part of the final version of the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on Dec. 16, 2009 — will lead to a 20 percent increase in the number of trained ITTL workers in Washington state.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Smith secured funding for the project that will also improve the image of international trade throughout Washington state and create awareness of career and training opportunities that lead to family wage jobs.

“In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy,” Murray said.

Positions in the ITTL sector include managers, logisticians, cargo and freight agents, shipping and receiving clerks, locomotive engineers, drivers and warehouse workers. Washington state will need nearly 77,000 new employees in ITTL by 2018, according to estimates based on data from the state’s Employment Security Department.

For more information about the Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics, visit www.ittlwa.com.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice
• Entrepreneur Junki Yoshida
• Washington state poet laureate Sam Green
• And yes, even WLB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer

Classes began at Des Moines’ newly rebuilt Parkside Elementary School Wednesday morning (Feb. 17th), as buses arrived and students streamed in for the first day of classes in their shiny new building.

Parents enjoyed a welcome reception and a quick chance to look around at the new facility, and a grand opening event was held for families and the community on Tuesday, March 16th.

Students and staff of Parkside have been temporarily housed at the Manhattan school site during the last year and a half, during which time the old Parkside building was demolished and construction of the new facility took place.

School hours are 9:30am – 4pm weekdays, and the newly renovated building is located at 2104 South 247th Street in Des Moines. Please note that along with a new building, Parkside also has a new phone number: (206) 631-4700.

Here are some photos of the new building, which looks very nice and modern:

For a bus load of more pics of the building, click here.

(Photos courtesy the Highline School District)

The Museum of Flight is holding an Engineering Fair this weekend, and the one event that stood out to us was the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, Feb. 13th from 8am to 5pm.

High School engineering students will be busy creating sturdy (and perhaps not-so-sturdy) bridges made entirely of Popsicle sticks and white glue, which to us sounds like a lot of fun (especially if they have to eat a lot of Popsicles beforehand to prepare).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Engineering Fair & the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 13th from 8:00am-5:00pm

WHERE: William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle; Phone: 206.764.5720

INFO: From the Museum of Flight’s website:

The Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers will put on a competition of bridges built using only Popsicle sticks and white glue. Each year teams of high school students from local schools build bridges that are strong, efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The bridges will be judged and then tested to failure with a hydraulic press. Be sure to be in the room as each bridge snaps and broken Popsicle sticks fly everywhere. At 12:00 noon the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

In the Museum’s Side Gallery, the Puget Sound Engineering Council will celebrate the annual National Engineers Week with an Engineering Fair. Local chapters of national societies representing the entire span of engineering disciplines will staff booths all day where those interested in engineering careers can learn more about the exciting opportunities available. Several university engineering departments and student clubs will also be represented.

Here’s a video about the Popsicle bridge competition:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NhBJJcXOPQ[/youtube]

Story & Photos by Janet Grella

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence celebrated their major donors and board participants at a special awards luncheon at The House Restaurant in Burien on Wednesday, Feb. 10th.

According to Holly Moore, Foundation Executive, the luncheon was made possible by an Anonymous Donor’s $2,000 gift.

Chef Will and hostess Stephanie prepared and served a four-course meal to 39 guests, while Board President Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Highline Superintendent John Welch and the Foundation’s Holly Moore awarded five couples for their personal and financial support to the Foundation over the 10-years since the Foundation was started.

In the first of what will be an annual event plaques of appreciation were give to:

• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason
• Tom and Leann Russell
• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Sharon and David Wilson (who were acknowledged posthumosly for their long-term support Highline Schools Foundation)

Ms. Moore also shared a “traveling plaque” with the audience that included the recipient’s names. It will be displayed at various schools throughout the Highline School system.

Superientendent Welch noted the good efforts and commitments of the Highline Schools Foundation, and their funding of programs during these “challenging financial times.” He particularly called attention to the arts and athletics support given by the foundation.

If you are interested in donating to or learning more about Highline Schools Foundation for excellence, click here.

Here’s Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow

One of the annual projects the Des Moines Rotary Club does to help this community is to distribute dictionaries to students at Woodmont Elementary School, and this year Rotarians presented every third grader there with a new illustrated children’s dictionary.

The project aims to promote literacy and build connections with local schools.

Here are some photos courtesy this local service organization:

Don’t forget, the Rotary is sponsoring the annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, which will be held at the Landmark Event Center on March 6th and 7th – for more info, including how and where to buy tickets, click here.

For more information on the Des Moines Rotary, click here.