Show and Tell: Schools and youths in the news
Puyallup science teacher honored
Stephanie Haegele, a teacher at Pope Elementary in Puyallup, has been named 2015 Washington State Science Teacher of the Year for Elementary Education. The award is given by the Washington Science Teachers Association. It recognizes Haegele for her hands-on lessons, her work with Washington State University and for her dedication to field work with students. She receives a $500 honorarium and will contribute an article to the science teachers association journal.
Students can get free laptop
Tacoma Public Schools’ Laptops2Kids program will distribute 500 laptops to qualifying ninth-graders after Thanksgiving break, and a lot more laptops will be left.
Fewer than 100 students have submitted applications for the laptops. To receive a computer, students must qualify for free or reduced-price meals or meet the federal poverty guidelines. In addition, they can not have previously received a laptop through the program.
To apply, visit the Laptops2Kids page on the Tacoma Public Schools website where printed and electronic applications are available, along with a frequently asked auestions page. Applications are awarded first-come, first-serve. Students can access the website and applications from home or from computers at each high school.
Mail completed applications to Laptops2Kids, P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401 Attention: Dave Davis, or scan and email to ddavis@tacoma.k12.wa.us.
Latops2Kids places refurbished district computers — that normally would be sent to surplus — into the hands of students who need them most. Laptops become property of the students so they can use them throughout high school while preparing for college or a career.
Laptops include updated software and charging cords. Last year and during the summer, students in Career & Technical Education classes at Foss High School and Willie Stewart Academy repaired the laptops. The Foundation for Tacoma Students raised money for new operating systems and updated software.
In October, the district distributed 262 laptops to students who applied in the first round of the program.
Bethel earns state language grant
The Bethel School District will receive $50,000 in each of two years to help boost the academic performance of their English language learners through dual language programs in Spanish and English.
In dual language programs, concepts and information are introduced in the primary language and reinforced in the second language.
The money comes from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which awarded competitive grants to five school districts.
Along with the Spanaway-based Bethel district, the Bellevue School District also received a grant of $20,000 for each of two years to serve as a mentor to Bethel.
Funds will be spent on instructional coaching, professional development, supplemental materials, program evaluation and recruitment of bilingual teachers. OSPI facilitated the grant process and will collaborate with the districts as they implement their programs. OSPI also will study the academic effect of the dual language programs.
Clover Park to use AP Capstone
Clover Park High School will become an Advanced Placement Capstone school beginning in the 2016-17 school year, the Clover Park School District announced.
AP Capstone focuses on developing students’ capabilities in research, collaboration and communication — skills they will need for future college success. The program includes a two-course sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research. Students who complete both courses receive a special designation on their diploma.
Clover Park offers more than a dozen AP courses, which offer students the option of taking a test to earn college credits for their high school course work.
This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Show and Tell: Schools and youths in the news."