What’s new, what’s coming in our schools

Compiled from school district responses
Last updated: September 2nd, 2008 10:19 AM (PDT)

AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • District has new superintendent, Kip Herren, and deputy superintendent, Mike Newman.

 • Each teacher will have access to SWIFT Web page account to develop class Web page and increase opportunities for communication with teachers, parents and students.

 • Middle schools implementing “Algebraic Thinking,” an ongoing mathematics professional development program. Middle schools and high schools implementing “Key Elements to Algebra Success” provided by National Training Network.

Information: www.auburn.wednet.edu, 253-931-4900.

BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • New social studies curriculum for grades seven-12. Implementing “High Schools that Work” and “Making Middle Grades Work” school reform models to raise academic achievement in junior and senior high schools.

 • Athletic fees increase to $38 per high school sport, $28 per junior high sport. Reduced athletic fees for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

 • All schools start two hours late Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 4, March 11 and May 13, to accommodate teachers’ professional learning communities development.

In the works: Construction of three schools: Nelson and Frederickson elementaries and Liberty Junior High; design work for Pierce County Skills Center. On horizon, major remodel of Spanaway Lake High School, replacement of Clover Creek and Spanaway elementary schools, modernization of Shining Mountain Elementary.

Information: www.bethelsd.org, 253-683-6000.

CARBONADO HISTORICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School started: Last Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • District adopted Reading Street 2008 curriculum for grades K through six. Added Washington Problem Solving Math program to supplement math program in grades K through eight.

 • Lunch prices increase to $2.40.

In the works: School Board will consider technology capital projects levy for February, but no decision has been made.

Information: www.carbonado.k12.wa.us, 360-829-0121.

CLOVER PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • 5-12 Learning Community moving to former Lake City Elementary School and will be called Harrison Preparatory School.

 • Debbie LeBeau, former deputy superintendent, is now superintendent.

 • Breakfast prices up 5 cents, lunch prices up 10 cents.

 • Full-day kindergarten offered at eight elementary schools: Custer, Hillside, Idlewild, Lakeview, Oakwood, Southgate, Tillicum and Tyee Park. Idlewild’s full-day program is tuition-based.

In the works:

 • Work continues on school improvement plans to meet No Child Left Behind requirements.

 • School Board set five priorities for 2008-2009 school year: student achievement, communication, community engagement, focus on secondary schools and their issues, student conduct.

 • Lakes High School being rebuilt in phases with money from $65 million bond approved by voters in 2006. Project scheduled for completion in fall 2010.

Information: www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us, 253-583-5000 .

DIERINGER SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • Five-classroom addition at Dieringer Heights Elementary School.

 • Implementation of new reading and spelling program to align with state standards.

 • Lunch price increases to $2.25 at elementary schools, to $2.50 at middle school.

 • School day at Dieringer Heights Elementary will be 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; at Lake Tapps Elementary, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Both schools will end two hours early on Fridays.

 • Implementation of School Messenger communication system to rapidly call and e-mail families and staff.

In the works: During school year at North Tapps Middle School, construction of science wing, health and fitness classroom and auxiliary gym will be completed, and mechanical drawing and woodshop classrooms will be remodeled.

Information: www.dieringer.wednet.edu, 253-862-2537.

EATONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • Eatonville High School 50 percent through major modernization. Students are attending school at temporary campus.

 • Two of three elementary schools will commence modernization this month. Six portable classrooms have been set up at Eatonville Elementary and Weyerhaeuser Elementary schools.

 • Pilot algebra program for ninth grade, new reading curriculum for first and second grade, new expanded library program, FitnessGram for each student in health and fitness classes.

 • New prices for school breakfast and lunch.

In the works:

 • Eatonville Middle School renovation in design and permitting phase. Project should go out to bid in spring 2009, with construction beginning in June 2009.

 • Superintendent search and transition.

Information: cruiser.eatonville.wednet.edu, 360-879-1000.

ENUMCLAW SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • Beginning second year of two-year cycle of a middle school science curriculum.

 • Continued districtwide focus on mathematics with curriculum reviews occurring at all levels during school year.

 • Increases to athletic and activity fees as well as lunch prices.

In the works: School Board has updated Capital Facilities Plan and District Study and Survey. With cities of Enumclaw and Black Diamond expected to lift building moratoriums, board feels that having both of these plans adopted is proactive step in addressing growth.

Information: www.enumclaw.wednet.edu, 360-802-7100.

FEDERAL WAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School starts: Tuesday, except Technology Access Foundation Academy (Sept. 8).

What’s new:

 • Panther Lake Elementary and Valhalla Elementary groundbreaking ceremonies will be held in September and construction will continue through year.

 • Twenty major upgrade projects at 10 schools completed this summer.

 • Cambridge Preparatory Program has expanded into several elementary schools. College Board-SpringBoard Program has been expanded into several elementary schools.

 • TAF Academy opens with science, technology, engineering and math curriculum focus.

 • Cost of school meals increases due to rising gas and wholesale food costs.

 • Uniforms required at Lake Grove Elementary, Saghalie Middle School and TAF Academy.

 • District Web site has been updated with translations in Spanish, Korean and Russian for multiple pages and related documents.

In the works: Work continues on new construction and upgrades to schools. Plans are to begin groundwork for new Lakota Elementary construction in spring 2009.

Information: www.fwps.org, 253-945-2000.

FIFE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • New reading adoption program for kindergarten through fifth grade.

 • District has a blog: fife.edublogs.org.

Information: www.fifeschools.com, 253-517-1000.

FRANKLIN PIERCE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • Moved New Pathways alternative school from storefront property on Pacific Avenue to district’s Waller Road property.

 • Renovated grass turf on baseball fields at Franklin Pierce High.

 • Replaced 259 computers throughout district.

 • Advanced Placement course offerings will be expanded at Washington High and Franklin Pierce High. Math lab classes will be added at middle schools and high schools to support students who need extra assistance.

 • Prices go up for full-price breakfast and lunch.

 • Free, five-day-a-week, full-day kindergarten begins at Harvard, James Sales and Christensen elementary schools. Kindergarten schedule changes to partial-week, daylong kindergarten at Brookdale, Central Avenue, Collins, Elmhurst and Midland elementary schools.

In the works: District will plan for boundary revisions, potentially changing enrollment/transportation boundaries for each school, beginning in 2009-2010 school year.

Information: www.fp.k12.wa.us, 253-298-3000.

NORTH THURSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • “Biology: A Human Approach” to be implemented in January.

 • 10-cent increase for school lunches.

 • Schedule changes: High schools: 7:20 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. (South Sound High School, 7:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.); middle schools: 9:25 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.; elementary schools: 8:10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Horizons Intermediate, Evergreen Forest, South Bay, Lakes, Lydia Hawk and Seven Oaks; 8:45 a.m.-3:05 p.m. for Horizons Primary, Pleasant Glade, Mountain View, Meadows, Woodland, Lacey, Olympic View.

In the works:

 • District’s Boundary Review Committee will make recommendations to the School Board in September for changes to be implemented in 2009-10 school year.

 • Construction and remodeling in works at South Bay and Woodland elementaries, Nisqually Middle School and Timberline High School. Building to begin this fall on elementary school in Horizon Pointe area. It’s to open in 2009. Renovation of Chinook Middle School also scheduled.

Information: www.nthurston.k12.wa.us, 360-412-4400.

ORTING SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • $25 million building opens for Orting Middle School, allowing sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to go to school on same campus.

 • Orting High School’s $10 million renovation, including new commons, small auxiliary gym, new weight room and new locker rooms, should be done sometime in October.

 • Athletic, Associated Student Body and lunch fees increasing.

In the works: District will consider how grades levels and students should be divided between primary and intermediate schools. Will go to bid for new district stadium on Orting Middle School campus; new stadium would open in fall 2009.

Information: www.orting.wednet.edu, 360-893-6500.

PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • Glacier View Junior High opens, Aylen Junior High rebuild completed, Sparks Stadium renovations done.

 • Upgrades made to science classrooms at Ballou, Ferrucci, Edgemont, and Stahl junior high schools.

 • Literacy textbook adoption for junior high and senior high grades; literacy interventions at elementary level (K-6); active chemistry text adoption at high schools; expansion of AVID to Ballou, Glacier View and Kalles junior high schools; Guided Language Acquisition Development program established at select elementary schools.

 • Increase in athletic fees.

 • Increased requirements for athletic eligibility for all WIAA-sanctioned athletics and activities.

In the works: $257 million bond package and $57 million capital levy package will be offered to voters March 10. Construction continues on Puyallup High School East Campus Phase 1.

Information: www.puyallup.k12.wa.us, 253-841-1301.

STEILACOOM HISTORICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School started: Last Thursday.

What’s new:

 • New Pioneer Middle School open at DuPont/Northwest Landing; opening celebration set for 1 p.m., Sept. 20.

 • New social studies curriculum starting at Pioneer Middle School.

 • Middle school students required to wear uniforms for physical education; optional at high school.

 • $32,000 Intel grant provides 30 high-powered computers for use by students in technology and engineering.

 • Every classroom equipped with SmartBoard.

In the works: Virtual academy program in which home-schooled students at Fort Lewis will be able to take one class a week at Youth Center. Steilacoom High School remodel continues, with some work completed.

Information: www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us, 253-983-2200.

SUMNER SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday; special first day of school start times for grades seven, eight and 10-12; more information at district Web site.

What’s new:

 • Students will pay athletic participation fee to help offset rising costs (elementary $10, middle school $15, high school $25). Fee will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch program.

 • Wednesday 90-minute late starts for all students.

 • New start and dismissal times for elementaries.

In the works:

 • $114 million bond issue approved by voters in May 2007 includes construction of facility to replace Lakeridge Middle School and modernization projects at Bonney Lake, Maple Lawn and Victor Falls elementary schools as well as Sumner Middle School and Sumner High School.

 • Construction under way on Elementary #9 in Cascadia community, scheduled to open in September 2009.

 • School Board will be discussing how to best fund technology, including feasibility of tech levy.

Information: www.sumner.wednet.edu, 253-891-6000.

TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School starts: Wednesday.

What’s new:

 • Increases in breakfast and lunch prices. Parents can set up online account on Lunch Money Now to prepay for meals, look up balances and see recent meal purchases. There’s a small fee for the service. For more information, call 253-571-3370.

 • Elementary schools will add half hour to their schedule and middle schools will add 10 minutes. Middle schools: 8:15 a.m.–2:45 p.m.; elementary schools: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

 • Free all-day kindergarten at all elementaries.

 • Lincoln Center opens to help boost achievement at Lincoln High School. Some 125 freshmen will attend classes until 5 p.m. each day and weekends.

 • Initiation of Tacoma Business Academy, a partnership with Bates Technical College and Communities in Schools of Tacoma to help kids who aren’t in high school earn their diplomas.

 • Tacoma Internet Academy will be housed at Oakland High School.

 • Grades Online, a pilot program, will allow parents to see their students’ grades at high schools and some middle schools.

In the works:

 • Construction on $45 million Gray Middle School could be completed this year; school district officials haven’t decided whether to move kids into it at midyear or wait until fall 2009.

 • $50 million middle school being built along Portland Avenue on McIlvaigh Middle School grounds. Facility, to combine student bodies of McIlvaigh and Gault middle schools, to open next fall.

Information: www.tacomaschools.org, 253-571-1000 or 253-571-1015.

UNIVERSITY PLACE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • University Place Primary School will open this year, replacing district’s historic first school.

 • New eighth-10th grade science curricula will be implemented this fall. Additionally, grades five-to-seven health/fitness will field-test this fall, with adoption in fall 2009.

 • District will implement new schedule at intermediate level (grades five to seven), which creates common master schedule for both schools and increases instructional time in core subject areas. Start and end times for student day will remain the same.

 • New Curtis High School Recap program available to students in grades nine through 12 as seventh period (after-school) option for students who have lost credit due to failure. All levels of English and math will be offered. Students will be charged course fee of $100 (with free/reduced fees available).

In the works: With funding from $86 million bond approved in 2006, new junior high school, replacing current school on site, will open in fall 2009. Other major projects include installation of new 911-compliant phone system districtwide, and renovations to Curtis High School gymnasium and performing arts center, slated to be completed in next 18 months.

Information: www.upsd.wednet.edu, 253-566-5600.

WHITE RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • K-5 Math Adoption and Implementation – Math Learning Center’s “Bridges” program was adopted and implemented last year.

 • AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) – This program and Navigation 101 help prepare students for post-high school educational experiences. AVID will be implemented in both middle schools as well as White River High School.

Information: www.whiteriver.wednet.edu, 360-829-0600.

YELM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

School starts: Tuesday.

What’s new:

 • Beginning second year of Houghton-Mifflin series for kindergarten-through-sixth-grade reading and language arts.

 • Increased meal costs.

 • Elementary schools begin and end 15 minutes earlier, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

 • Ridgeline Middle School begins and ends five minutes earlier, 7:40 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

 • Late starts: Beginning Sept. 10, all schools will begin one hour late on Wednesdays for staff development.

In the works: Lunchroom addition project has begun at Fort Stevens Elementary School. Projected completion date is Jan. 1.

Information: www.ycs.wednet.edu, 360-458-1900.

Compiled from school district responses.

Originally published: September 1st, 2008 01:22 AM (PDT)