School Board, Position 3
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Spokane school rescheduling options proposed
Spokane Public Schools officials now know how school schedules will need to change to accommodate adding 30 minutes to the school day for elementary students. There are two options under consideration, with a decision expected on March 11. Both options mean a change for middle school students’ schedules, however.
Spokane’s On Track Academy fights poverty with education
Spokane students in a program for would-be high school dropouts groaned with disbelief on Thursday when they learned they’ve been labeled based on their socioeconomic status. Close to 75 percent of On Track Academy students live in poverty. Teens in the program designed to help students catch up on credits so they can graduate on time were told that growing up poor often means they are dumber, won’t go to college and are more likely to die young.
Region taking steps to boost vaccination
Measles outbreaks during the past year have rekindled the national and Northwest debate regarding vaccines in an area with historically higher-than-average numbers of people who don’t have their children immunized against diseases. There have been some gains. The National Immunization Survey found that both Washington and Idaho meet the public health goal of having more than 90 percent of toddlers – children 19 to 35 months old – vaccinated against the measles and a host of other diseases.
Spokane’s Jefferson Elementary kindergartners host pre-Super Bowl party
The buildup began long before the first snap. Kindergartners in teacher Andrea Sims’ Jefferson Elementary class have been wearing blue and green every Friday since September. They sent Christmas cards to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. They’ve taken pictures with a poster of Wilson and written sentences about what they would do if they could spend a day with the quarterback.
Doug Clark: Franklin Elementary needs bond and levy for old-school reasons
On a totally selfish note, there’s a lot more at stake in the upcoming vote about schools than just giving my beloved alma mater, Franklin Elementary, the makeover it so desperately deserves. Sure, passing the bond and levy for Spokane Public Schools is vital for building matters like security and technology (the bond) and learning issues like programs and staff (the levy).
Spokane Public Schools report high flu rates
Spokane elementary schools have seen flu infection rates as high as 23 percent this year and Spokane Public Schools is encouraging students and staff to wash their hands frequently.
No debate: Area schools’ cafeterias offering nutritional lunches
While Spokane students are piling roasted chicken and homemade red potato fries onto their plates, other students around the country will still be eating canned vegetables packed with sodium and previously frozen meat. Congress on Thursday approved a spending plan that allows schools more time to comply with new federal standards requiring that they cut down on sodium and boost the amount of whole grains in school lunches. Nutrition directors nationally have complained that they’re losing money from the new standards because so many students stopped eating school lunches and because the fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains cost more.
Spokane high school graduation rates hit 83 percent
High school graduation rates have soared to 83 percent in Spokane, a turnabout that has earned national accolades. Six years ago, only six in 10 students were finishing high school. The poor performance spurred a grassroots effort that has made a difference with Spokane Public Schools.
Stevens Elementary teacher gives STEM subjects a musical remix
Teacher Shawn Tolley combines his two passions – music and computer science – to show fifth- and sixth-graders how to mix and master music, record audio tracks, synthesize sound and create electronic music. The result is teaching creative right-brain thinkers how to engage in concrete left-brain activities while also using music to teach technology, and a little math.
City Council members don boxing gloves for Rogers debate club benefit
A bout in a Spokane boxing ring ended peacefully Tuesday, although not without fervor over a fairy tale and strong words about pens and swords. Spokane’s City Council President Ben Stuckart and Councilman Mike Fagan took the hits like men, but in the end they were no match for Rogers High School’s keen debaters, James Pearson and Zackary Bonser.
Pet project: Montessori students learn about care, feeding of animals
Olivia is a demanding young female often caught preening during class. Sugar, at 7 years old, already has been in third grade. Cleopatra is lanky, extremely flexible and could reach six feet. The three – a rat, a guinea pig and a ball python – all live at Spokane Public Montessori School, where class pets are used to teach students about animals, responsibility and caring.
Shadle Park graduate sues district over sex case
A former student sexually assaulted by a Spokane high school teacher is suing the district for failing to fire him for being inappropriate with students. A Seattle lawyer filed the federal civil complaint for unspecified damages on behalf of a Shadle Park High School graduate earlier this month. School officials refused to comment about the complaint. “It would be inappropriate for us to discuss any ongoing litigation at this time,” district spokesman Kevin Morrison said.
Adams Elementary teacher wins prestigious Milken Award
Spokane teacher Karen Krantz sat frozen in her seat, unsure she’d just heard her name and the prestigious national Milken Award in the same sentence. A student’s hug and a standing ovation moved her from her seat to the front of the packed gymnasium at Adams Elementary.