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.

Since it’s Valentine’s Day week, there’s no better time to learn about the “Science of Love,” and Des Moines’ own Highline Community College is here to help with a seminar this Friday, Feb. 12th from 2:20pm to 3:10pm.

Here are the lovely details:

WHAT: Science of Love

WHEN: Friday, Feb.  12th, from 2:20pm – 3:10pm.

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 3, Room 102, located at 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines

COST: FREE and open to the public.

INFO: Psychology professor Ruth Frickle presents this special Science Seminar that looks at what is love and the different kinds of love, attempting to answer such questions as:

• What is love?
• Does it really exist or is it a myth?
• Are there different kinds of love?
• Can love last?

For more info, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/scienceseminars.

Students from Des Moines’ Aviation High School (AHS) gave Port of Seattle Commissioners first-hand descriptions of their experiences and a robotics demonstration during the Commission’s first community outreach meeting of 2010, held last Tuesday, Feb. 2nd.

The Port of Seattle supports AHS through its tax levy along with an airport environmental curriculum challenge, a job shadow program and high school internships.

“The students at Aviation High School will one day help Washington maintain a competitive edge in aviation, aerospace and high tech industries,” said Bill Bryant, Port of Seattle Commission President. “They are an impressive group! The future is in terrific hands.”

Aviation High School, located in Des Moines, is the only public, college-prep aviation themed school in the Northwest. Founded in 2004, the high school is part of the Highline School District but is open to students throughout the region. Currently 65% are students from the Highline School District with the rest coming from other districts, as far away as Olympia, Bremerton and Everett. With a current student body of 411, AHS has been very successful in providing a rigorous, high quality education to its student body.

The Port of Seattle has pledged $15 million in tax levy funds for Aviation High School, including $9 million in 2010 to help with constructing a new facility to be built at The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. After 2010, the school will receive $650,000 per year through 2013 from the Port.

The high school prides itself in having the third highest score in the state in math and science as well as a highly diverse population of which 21% qualify for the free or reduced cost lunch program.

The Port of Seattle Commission meets quarterly at community locations.

Aviation High School’s slogan is “Where the sky is not the limit,” and is administered by Highline Public Schools. It is open to students across the Puget Sound region, and serves as a model science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) school. The curriculum is college preparatory, and all subjects are taught in the context of aviation and aerospace.

As we reported on March 26th, Aviation High recently received a $4 million grant from James Raisbeck. It will be re-named Raisbeck Aviation High School, and will move to the Museum of Flight in Seattle; construction is expected to begin in March.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Des Moines’ Aviation High School Makes U.S. News “Best High Schools List”
• Aviation High School Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign
• Four Aviation High Students Graduate From Washington Aerospace Scholars Program
• Aviation High School Students Hitch Ride On Delivery Flight Of Brand New 737
• Aviation High School Gets $4 Million Dollar Grant, New Name & New Address

Highline Community College is now accepting nominations for its “Distinguished Alumnus Award,” its most prestigious award for alumni.

This award is meant to honor a former Highline student who has made outstanding contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations are due by April 16, 2010.

Previous winners have included:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who attended Highline in 1968–69, was the first recipient of the award in 1990
• Other past honorees include Junki Yoshida, CEO of the Yoshida Group
• Washington state’s first poet laureate Sam Green

Last year’s recipient was Dr. Linda Petter, a family practitioner in Tacoma and author of “Common Medical Sense,” who was honored for her outstanding work in the health care field. She has a regular feature at 7:45 a.m. Sundays on KOMO-AM 1000.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile that will be reviewed by a campus selection committee. The person selected will be invited to accept the award and participate in Highline’s commencement exercises on June 10, 2010.

Please send your nominations via e-mail to ayoung@highline.edu or hard copy to:

Melissa Sell
Resource Development Office
Highline Community College
PO Box 98000 MS 99-248
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800

For more information, call (206) 870-3774, e-mail rstephen@highline.edu or visit www.funds4highline.org.

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.

As many of our Readers also know, Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer also attended Highline College, where he worked on the student newspaper The Thunderword. Another alum is one of his then-classmates, prolific local Playwright and current HCC Journalism Professor TM Sell.

Highline Community College is holding a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 9th for not-for-profit organizations on how to pursue grant money.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Community College workshop on the entire grant-getting process.

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 9th from 9:00 a.m. – noon (module 1) and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (module 2)

WHERE: Highline Community College – Des Moines Campus

COST: $59 per module; $110 for both modules

INFO: Designed for not-for-profit organizations new to pursuing grants, this workshop provides an overview of the entire grant-getting process. In particular, it addresses: assessing the applicant organization’s readiness to apply for a grant, researching funding prospects, cultivating relationships with prospective/current funders, writing the grant application, and what to do after its submission. The focus of the workshop is on foundation grants.

REGISTER: Contact Highline Community College at 206.870.3785 or via http://flightline.highline.edu/cel

AGENDA:

• The Grant-Getting Process (or Don’t Wait ‘Til The Day Before It’s Due to Work On The Application)
• Grant-Getting Readiness: You Need More Than A Need For Money
• Funder Fundamentals: Researching & Cultivating Relationships With Funders
• Work Plans And Other Ways to Save Your Sanity
• Completing The Grant Application
• Make Your Application Stand Out
• Summary of Key Concepts

About the Instructor: Lisa Arnold is a consultant to not-for-profit organizations, has worked for over 20 years in the nonprofit arena, and has a Master’s Degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. She has produced and/or taught numerous fundraising and other workshops for nonprofits throughout Puget Sound. These include a six-day training series in conjunction with the Gill Foundation (production); and workshops at the Evergreen State College, the University of Washington, Highline Community College, and South Seattle Community College.

Highline Community College’s StartZone is offering free tax preparation workshops and filing assistance to self-employed individuals in King County with total household income of less than $50,000.

Workshops being Feb. 10th, and eligible individuals will receive assistance from a trained and professionally supervised volunteer who will help complete and file 1040, Schedule C, applications for the Making Work Pay and Earned Income tax credits, and other forms.

For more information about eligibility requirements, individuals are encouraged to attend a tax preparation workshop. Workshops will be offered:

• Wednesday, Feb. 10th: 6-9pm
  
• Wednesday, March 10th: 6-9pm
  
• Saturday, March 13th: 9:30am – 12:30pm
• Saturday, March 27th: 9:30am – 12:30pm

To register, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3388, or e-mail startzone@highline.edu.

StartZone’s Business Tax Center is funded by the CFED in partnership with the United Way of King County.

StartZone is a program that helps women, people of color, immigrants and persons with a disability start or grow small businesses in Southwest King County. For information, visit http://startzone.highline.edu.

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 WLB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer.

WLB Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The Highline Community College Foundation received a $60,000 donation from lifelong resident Justine Richards to help provide emergency assistance to Highline students who are struggling to pay for their college education.

Emergency assistance may include funds to pay for books, supplies, child care or transportation. Funds will be distributed through Highline’s Financial Aid office based on a student’s need.

The endowment is named in honor of donors Justine Richards, of Des Moines, and her deceased husband, Gene J. Newman.

Richards is a lifelong resident of the Des Moines area and taught business classes for the Highline School District for 40 years. She has been a longtime supporter of Highline Community College.

Newman graduated from Lynden High School in Lynden, Wash., and the University of Washington. He served in the 10th Mountain Division (86th Infantry Regiment) during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal at Monte della Torraccia Ridge in Italy on Feb. 27, 1945.

He spent 60 years as an electrical engineer building cranes, designing hydroelectric plants and other projects. His ashes are interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.

For more information on the HCC Foundation and how to donate to help needy students, call (200) 870-3774 or visit www.funds4highline.org.

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 as well as Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this here blog.

Between Jan. 19th and 22nd, Highline Community College’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week will feature nationally known authors and scholars discussing a variety of topics, including diversity, politics, education, sports and the legacy of Dr. King.

This year’s event includes an exhibit featuring local social activists and revolutionaries who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement in Washington state. The exhibit is on display throughout the week in the Highline Student Union.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Community College’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Week

WHEN: Jan. 19th through Jan. 22nd at various times

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus. Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: Free and open to the public

SCHEDULE:

TUESDAY, JAN. 19th:

Dream Fulfilled? The legacy of Dr. King in an Obama age
A lecture by Dedrick Muhammad
9:00 – 9:50am,  10:00 – 10:50am Building 7

Dedrick Muhammad is a Senior Organizer and Research Associate for the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute of Policy Studies. His presentation will examine the current socio-economic status of African Americans, the progress that has been made since the time of Dr. King, and the prospects of African Americans under the Obama presidency

Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Celestine Lanier-McClary, Black Child Development Institute
11:00-11:50am, Highline Student Union Building 8, Mt. Constance Room

Children of color are entering the Criminal Justice at an alarming rate! In 2001, it was said that 1 out of every 3 African American preschool child has a chance of going to prison in his lifetime (CDF 2006). This workshop will explore the link between education and the criminal justice system and also examine the risk factors as it relates to people of color in the criminal justice system. During this time participants will begin to better understand this pipeline and start to create strategies for dismantling the Cradle to Prison Pipeline.

MLK Exhibit
Highline Student Union Building 8, Mt Constance Stage
Open all day/evening, Jan 19-22 Come view a display of local social activists and revolutionaries who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement in Washington State.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30th:

Why are Poor People Poor?
A workshop by Dustin Washington and John Page, American Friends Service Committee and People’s Institute Northwest
9:00 – 9:50am,  Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room

Explore the roots of class inequality with two community organizers and leaders in the Seattle Area. Dustin Washington and John Page are from the Community Justice Program at American Friends Service Committee and do extensive work around anti-racism and social justice advocacy.

Workshop: Environmental Justice and You!
Presented by Community Coalition to Environmental Justice (CCEJ)
10:00 – 10:50am, Building 7

We hear about the environmental movement, but what we don’t hear about much is the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement. With the EJ movement, they take into consideration how certain populations are targeted and polluted on purpose, specifically people of color and/or low income communities. In addition, environmental injustice is impacting people not just locally, but globally as well. Come to this workshop to hear more about the EJ movement, discuss the root causes of environmental injustice such as racism and profits before people, and how you can get involved and make a difference.

Music and Liberation: A panel discussion
12:10-1:10pm, Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room

Join us for a panel discussion with local activists and musicians. Explore how social change, activism and music intersect. The artists will represent different genres of music that include Hip Hop, R&B, Folk, Reggae and Latin.

Music and Liberation: A Caucus Discussion
1:30-2:30pm, Highline Student Union, Building 8 – Leadership Resource Room

Join a follow up discussion of how music was, can, and is used for activism.

THURSDAY, JAN. 21st:

Inter-Minority Racisms and Cross-Racial Identifications: The Role of Hip Hop in Shaping Contemporary Asian/Black Relations in the U.S.
Lecture by Nitasha Sharma followed by Q &A session
9:00-10:30am,  Building 7

In this talk, Professor Sharma will analyze the political potential of hip hop for framing Asian/Black relations in the U.S. Americans often view Asians and Blacks to be distinct minority groups with little in common; however, history and politics reveal otherwise. Drawing from her fieldwork on 24 South Asian American hip hop MCs, DJs, record label owners, and journalists, Dr. Sharma will discuss how some Asian American youth call upon hip hop to articulate their racial identities and politics. Within the context of Asian anti-Black racism and Black anti-immigrant sentiment, perhaps hip hop offers a space and form for some youth to create cross-racial connections across these divides.

Nitasha Sharma is a professor in African American Studies and Asian American Studies at Northwestern University. Her ethnographic research focuses on Asian/Black relations through hip hop culture and the multiracial experience. She is the author of “Hip Hop Desis: South Asian Americans, Blackness, and a Global Race Consciousness.” Her latest project analyzes the negotiations of mixed race Asian/Blacks in Hawaii.

Poetry Workshop
11:00-11:50am, Building 2

Engage in this workshop for new and existing poets and discover how poetry can be used as a platform for expression.

Open Mic Poetry
Laura “Piece” Kelly &  Freshest Roots
7:00-9:00 pm, Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room
An evening of poetry open to anyone wishing to share their poetry in a like-minded environment.  Co-sponsored by Freshest Roots.

FRIDAY, JAN. 22nd:

Freedom When? Race and Labor, Then and Now
Lecture by David Roediger, followed by Q & A Session
10:00 – 11:30 am, Building 7

Dr. David Roediger has a doctorate in History from Northwestern University and teaches African American Studies at the University of Illinois. Dr. Roediger’s talk looks from periods of slavery and conquest to current workplace traditions, to suggest that keeping people apart has been a consistent key to overworking and underpaying them.

Movie Fridays: SLAM
Facilitated by Aaron Reader
12:30-2:00 pm, Building 7
Slam is a 1998 independent film starring Saul Williams and Sonja Sohn. It tells the story of a young man whose talent for poetry is hampered by his social background. It won the Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. Co-sponsored by Movie Fridays.

For more information contact Natasha Burrowes at 206-878-3710 x 3256 or via email.

SPONSORS: HCC’s Center for Leadership & Service, Multicultural Services and Learning & Teaching Center

MLK Week Committee Members:

• Natasha Burrowes, Chair
• Darryl Brice
• Naiomi Etienne
• Jodi Golden-White
• Yoshiko Harden
• Heather Johnston-Robinson
• Aaron Reader
• Gayatri Sirohi
• Barbara Talkington
• Gerie Ventura

If you need accommodations due to a disability, please contact Access Services at (206)878-3710, ext.3857(voice) or (206) 870-4853 (TTY) no later than January 5, 2010.

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, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this website former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.

Des Moines’ own Aviation High School, along with Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3), was selected to U.S. News and World Report’s 2010 list of America’s Best High Schools.

Aviation earned a silver award, while HS3, located in White Center, earned a bronze. They were the only two South King County schools to make the list.

The list, published annually since 2008, identifies the country’s top-performing high schools.

“The goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public schools serve all of their students – from the highest achieving to the lowest achieving – in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work,” according to the U.S. News and World Report website.

“HS3 and Aviation are examples of our effort to reinvent high school to better prepare all students for college, career, and citizenship,” said Highline Superintendent John Welch. “Both are innovative schools that are preparing students for the math and science careers that will dominate the new economy.”

Health Sciences and Human Services High School, one of three small high schools on the Evergreen campus in White Center, is the state’s only health sciences-themed high school. According to Principal Paula Montgomery, many students aspire to be nurses, doctors, scientists, social workers and educators. In 2008, HS3 was one of four Washington schools chosen by the Washington Global Health Alliance for a partnership designed to enhance Washington’s position as a leader in health sciences by nurturing the next generation of global health leaders.

Aviation High School is the nation’s first aviation-themed college prep high school. All core subjects are taught in the context of aviation, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Aviation was the third highest-scoring high school in Washington on the 10th grade WASL in 2009. A hallmark of the school, led by Principal and CEO Reba Gilman, is its many aviation industry partners and professionals who mentor students one-on-one.

To earn the silver distinction, schools 1) exceeded statistical expectations for all students on state achievement tests in math and reading; 2) exceeded the state average on test scores for black, Latino, and low-income students; and 3) had high levels of participation and performance in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. Bronze awards went to schools that met the first two criteria. The gold distinction was awarded to the 100 top-scoring schools that met all three criteria.

In all, 30 Washington state schools earned bronze awards, 17 earned silver awards, and four earned gold awards.

Highline School District’s Camp Waskowitz will he holding an Open House Fundraiser in cooperation with sponsoring North Bend Christmas Tree Farms and the Puget Sound Youth Foundation from Noon to 2:30pm this Sunday, Dec. 6th.

Visit this Historic CCC facility and home to Highline School District’s nationally recognized environmental education outdoor school program, where you can make holiday nature craft items, have your picture taken with “Smokey the Santa,” and receive discount coupons to purchase your own U-cut Christmas Tree.

Just a short drive up I-90, off exit 34. All proceeds from this fundraising event will go to “camperships” to help financially struggling families send their children to Waskowitz Outdoor School.

North Bend Tree Farm Sponsors include: Keith and Scott Tree Farm and Crown Tree Farm.

Here’s more info from HSD’s Waskowitz website:

Founded in 1947 by a group led by future superintendent Carl Jensen, Waskowitz Outdoor School is recognized as a leader in the field of residential outdoor education. The Carl Jensen Environmental Education Center at Camp Waskowitz serves the students of the Highline Schools, as well as students from surrounding schools and districts, through environmental education and team building programs. When not in use by student groups, the facilities are available to outside groups for rent. Our office is located in Burien at the Woodside site at 18367-8th Avenue South. Our program site is located in North Bend, Washington at Camp Waskowitz. For more information on our programs or facility rentals, contact our office at (206) 631-7626.

Camp Waskowitz was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in 1935 at its present location and was named Camp North Bend. After the CCC was disbanded, the Camp was sold and later renamed after Fritz Waskowitz from the Chicago area. Fritz Waskowitz had been a football player and captain at the University of Washington before he became a pilot in World War II, was shot down and killed. The facility was renamed in his honor. Highline School District began sending students to Waskowitz in 1947 and later bought the property in 1957. Carl Jensen, then Superintendent of Highline School District, convinced the Highline High School student body to use funds raised for a new sports stadium to buy the property with a promise that the school district would reimburse their fund. Some time later, Superintendent Jensen and the Highline School District made additional purchases of surrounding land that increased the Camp Waskowitz acreage to its present 372 acres. Today, Camp Waskowitz is a State and National Historic Preservation site and is one of only two remaining CCC Camps in the United States with all of the original buildings still standing. Since the inception of the Outdoor Education program in 1947, over 200,000 students have experienced this school in the woods.

Des Moines’ Aviation High School kicked off a major capital campaign last week at the home of James and Sherry Raisbeck, whose foundation has pledged $4 million toward the effort to construct a facility for the school at The Museum of Flight.

Aviation High School is temporarily located in the Olympic interim school in Des Moines, and the district hopes to open the school as Raisbeck Aviation High School on Museum property sometime in 2012.

James Raisbeck is a world renowned aerodynamicist and entrepreneur.  He is most well known for founding Raisbeck Engineering Inc., which engineers and manufactures performance improvement systems for thousands of business and commercial aircraft worldwide.

The Port of Seattle has contributed $10 million toward the new Aviation High School facility. The school hopes to raise an additional $10 million from private entities and $14 million from state and federal sources.

Aviation High School is an innovative public school that teaches a college-preparatory curriculum through an aviation theme. The school is administered by Highline Public Schools but accepts students from across the Puget Sound region.

Aviation High School was the state’s third-highest scoring high school in last year’s WASL exams. It was the top scoring school on the 10th grade writing WASL. Unlike other high-scoring schools, 20 percent of Aviation High School’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The Museum of Flight has had a long-standing partnership with Aviation High School. In 2006, the Museum of Flight Board of Trustees invited AHS to be part of the expansion of its campus. The new school is to be located adjacent to The Museum’s air park.

For more information on the campaign and how you can help, go to www.aviationhs.org.

Mount Rainier High School & Pacific Middle School PTSA are holding a “Together” Auction fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 20th from 5:30pm to 11pm at the Normandy Park Cove.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Mount Rainier High School & Pacific Middle School PTSA’s “Together” Auction fundraiser

WHEN: Friday, November 20, 2009, from 5:30pm – 11:00pm

WHERE: Normandy Park Cove

INFO: The annual 2009 “TOGETHER” will include:

• Master of Ceremonies: Susan West, KCPQ Channel 13
• Auctioneer: Dick Fain, KJR 950 Sports Radio & Voice of the Storm
• International Cuisine: Christi’s Catering
• Boogie Down: KJR FM – Radio Parties !!
• Complimentary Beer and Wine

You truly do not want to miss this opportunity to contribute directly to the “Wish List” submitted by staff/admin from MRHS & Pacific for student academic success! Be a successful bidder for fun, healthy, imaginative, cool, ok…VERY COOL items that have been contributed for sale!  Food is going to be delicious, bidding lively, and we did mention dancing? Yes! Dancing….LOTS of it !!

Looking forward to hearing from You!  Thanking you in advance for your contributions and consideration!

RSVP to either school or mail to:

Kay Duncanson
19625 Marine View Drive SW
Normandy Park, WA  98166

Questions? Contact Lora Bolding at 206-456-9284 or via email: prauction2009@gmail.com.

Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)

UPDATE 10/28/09: We received word this morning that this event has SOLD OUT!

Highline School District’s Aviation High School’s Skunkworks Robotics Team 1983 is holding its annual Auction/Dinner fundraising event this Friday, Oct. 30th from 6pm to 8:30pm at Aviation High’s Cafeteria, located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines.

From their press release:

2009 was our third year and it will be another hard act to follow. We attended the Portland and Seattle Regionals and World Championships in Atlanta. This was the first time we were on the winning alliance in Portland and we were extremely competitive in Atlanta only losing 2 matches.

The team received two awards at the regionals for quality of robot design and our website was given an award for excellence by FIRST.

A program like this one does not happen by accident! We need your support in raising money for team operations.

The Aviation High School Skunkworks Robotics Team 1983 is raising funds for robotic equipment, registration fees, and travel expenses to attend competitions in Portland, Seattle and Atlanta, Georgia.

There are Three Ways to Participate:

1. A spaghetti dinner will be served from 6:30-7:30pm.
2. Bidding for desserts and a few special items donated by the team and their families will begin at 7:30pm. In addition to these items, participants can “Fund-A-Skunk” by sponsoring a student with a directed donation. Money will also be donated to fund an “anonymous” Skunk for students who have a difficult time fundraising.
3. If you cannot attend and would like to contribute directly, tax deductible donations can be mailed to the school address. Please make checks payable to “AHS PTSA Robotics”

Prepaid tickets: $8/student, $10/adult

Tickets at the door: $10/student, $12/adult

For more team information please visit our website: http://www.ahsrobotics.us

• If you cannot attend and would like to contribute directly, tax deductible donations can be mailed to the school address:

Aviation High School
615 South 200th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
206.716.0006 phone
206.716.0020 fax

Please make checks payable to “AHS PTSA Robotics”

For more information or to purchase tickets:

• Dayna Miller: 253-797-3077 or DaynaMiller1277@msn.com
• Kathy Swan: bswan55234@comcast.net

The Highline School District has been awarded $200,000 towards a five-year $1 million grant to expand and establish community schools programs at Des Moines’ own Pacific Middle School, as well as at Chinook (SeaTac), Cascade (White Center) and Sylvester (Burien) middle schools.

The grant is funded by The Seattle Foundation and the Raikes Foundation.

According to a press release:

Highline partners with the non-profit Community Schools Collaboration to provide academic and enrichment programs to students after school, as well as other support services to student and their families. The partnership will use the grant funds to create a support system that will help students achieve their maximum potential in school, work and life, including programs that ease the elementary school-to-middle school and middle school-to-high school transitions.

“This initiative helps schools connect to nonprofits and other neighborhood resources in ways that really make a difference for middle-schoolers in our community,” said Michael Brown, vice president of community leadership at The Seattle Foundation.

“We are grateful for the Seattle Foundation’s investment in Highline and the prospect of a long-term partnership,” said John Welch, superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “Thanks to the Foundation’s funding, many of our students will benefit from academic support and enrichment programs that will effectively extend their school day and their opportunities for learning.”

The Seattle Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in the region. It’s mission is create a healthy community through engaged philanthropy, community knowledge and leadership.

The Raikes Foundation is a private family foundation focused on support for young adolescents so that they can grow up to be healthy, contributing members of society.

More information on the Highline School District available at their website.

Highline Community College’s Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center is presenting a special seminar on “Jumbo” Squid  with David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor, this Saturday, Oct. 17th at their location near the Redondo Beach Pier.

Rumor has it that there may even be a dissection taking place.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Special seminar on “Jumbo” (aka Humboldt) Squid with David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor

WHEN: Saturday, October 17 12:00 – 12:45

WHERE: Highline Community College MaST Center, located near the Redondo Beach Park

INFO: From their website:

They’re Big, They’re Here and They’re Squid Jumbo Squid as Harbingers of Ecosystem Change! Dosidicus gigas, the Humboldt or Jumbo squid is a voracious predator with a unique ecology.

The ongoing range expansion of this creature, coincident with changes in the California Current suggest that something larger is afoot.

Are these changes indication of global change? What will the impact be to our fisheries and the ecosystem of the West Coast? Come to the MaST Center, and find out.

Please join us to hear David Eric Hamm, NOAA Fisheries Research Scientist/Contractor

More info here.

South King Fire and Rescue Station 26 is holding an Open House on Thursday, Oct. 8th from 5pm – 8pm at their building, located at 2238 South 223rd Street in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: South King Fire and Rescue Station 26 Open House

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 8th from 5pm to 8pm

WHERE: Station #26, located at 2238 South 223rd Street in Des Moines

INFO: Here’s what’s in store:

• BBQ hot dogs (benefitting the Firefighters Foundation
• Hands-on fire safety practice
• Engine, Medic One and Marine 26 tours
• Firefighters challenge
• Senior fire and life safety
• Disaster preparedness

Begin planning your future at Highline School District’s “Life After High School Fair” (wait..there’s actually life after high school?) on Wednesday, Oct. 7th from 3:30pm to 8:30pm at the Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1reet in SeaTac.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Life After High School Fair”

WHEN: October 7th from 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m

WHERE: Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1., SeaTac, 98188

INFO:

• Food will be available to purchase from DECA Students
• For more information, call the Office of College and Career at (206) 433-2430

SCHEDULE:

5:30-6:00: Keynote Speaker from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Polly Stansell, director of Product Development Whatskills are critical for student success in the 21stt economy?

6:00-8:30: College and Career Booths – VIsit with representatives from universities, community and technical colleges, as well as apprenticeship programs, military programs and civil service opportunities.

6:00-6:45: Middle School Rally and Parent Workshop – How to help your middle schooler prepare for success in high school, college, career, and citizenship.

7:00-7:45: Workshops:

• Finding money for college (financial aid and scholarships)
• College application (helpful hints for completing the college applications, SAT scores, essays, and your personal statement application.

Highline Community College’s StartZone is marking its first-year anniversary with a celebration from 5pm – 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 8 in the Highline Student Union (Building 8).

Since opening in October 2008, StartZone has helped more than 120 women, people of color, immigrants and people with disabilities who want to start or expand their small businesses in Southwest King County.

In addition, StartZone members have started 15 new businesses, created dozens of new jobs and obtained nearly $90,000 in financing.

The celebration, which is free and open to the public, will feature speakers who have found success after receiving support from StartZone’s trained business specialists.

Featured speaker Adugna Wubbie, of SeaTac, originally came to StartZone with the hope of building a successful business and helping his family back in his home country of Ethiopia.

He started Rose Super Clean Services, a commercial janitorial service, and is now earning about $3,000 a month in revenue. By the end of his first year in operation, he hopes to generate at least $10,000 a month in revenue.

“Our StartZone business adviser gave us information on what we needed for success,” Wubbie said. “As part of the StartZone community, we have had an opportunity to meet other business owners, network and find support from our peers.”

Ruth Tial Par, of Kent, will also be sharing her success story during the event.

Tial Par, who is wheelchair-bound and came from Burma more than a year ago, wanted to convert her hobby of sewing clothes into a business opportunity.

StartZone helped Tial Par get new sewing machines and her business, Ruthy Tailoring, recently started accepting customers.

StartZone services are free to members and include assessments, referrals, business consulting and planning, loan packaging, workshops, mentoring and opportunities for networking and peer support.

StartZone offers orientations from 6-6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the HCC Outreach Center (Building 99), room 132, 23835 Pacific Highway S. in Kent.

For more information about StartZone, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3388, e-mail startzone@highline.edu or visit http://startzone.highline.edu.

StartZone is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida, Washington state poet laureate Sam Green and yes, even Scott Schaefer, the Publisher/Editor of this here blog.

Attachment: Adugna Wubbie, of SeaTac
Ruth Tial Par, of Kent