Comedy night will benefit Komen Foundation
An improv comedy night on Thursday will feature the talents of West Valley High School teachers, alumni and parents to benefit the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The improv session begins at 7 in the WV auditorium. Cost is $3 and all proceeds will benefit the foundation dedicated to breast cancer education, research and discovery of a cure.
Organizers are hoping to raise $1,000. WVHS drama students will serve as judges and hosts, said Kamiel Youseph, West Valley drama and English teacher.
University Elementary students bag Albertsons honor
University Elementary students have learned that artistic effort can pay off. Principal Sue Lennick and the student body received a $1,000 check from Albertsons recognizing their work decorating 2,544 paper grocery bags to promote recycling.
The school’s 400 students designed and colored the bags with recycling messages as a part of Albertsons “Earth Day” coloring contest. They were displayed in the Albertsons at 32nd Avenue and Highway 27.
Store manager Jerry Howard presented the check along with a cake, cookies and juice for students. He reported that of all 2,500 Albertsons stores across the United States, his store received more decorated bags than any other, thanks to University Elementary.
CV students’ art on display
Art from Central Valley students is on display inside CenterPlace at Mirabeau, 2426 N. Discovery Place.
Located in the front lobby, the student work includes paintings, drawings, pottery and other pieces. Presented in partnership with the Spokane Valley Arts Council, the display runs through May 31.
Central Valley High School art instructor Sue Mihalic arranged the art work for public viewing. Student work is from Chester Elementary, Greenacres Elementary, Liberty Lake Elementary, University Elementary, North Pines Middle School, Central Valley High School and University High School.
EVHS students help blood center
East Valley High School students organized a blood drive Wednesday to benefit neighbors.
EV student activities adviser Rob Collins said the students started working at 7 a.m. and helped run the event through midafternoon. Student coordinator Alyssa Cox worked with about six other students.
“We have about 90 to 110 students who give blood,” said Collins. “East Valley has an account at the blood blank, so people from this community can draw from that account.”
CVSD hands out Meritorious Service Awards
The Central Valley School District has recognized individuals and groups for this year’s Meritorious Service Awards. Recent honorees who made outstanding contributions to students and education include:
“Community Member/Organization Co-recipient: Allstate Insurance and Chuck Lund – Greenacres Elementary. For three years, Spokane area Allstate Insurance agencies have teamed with Junior Achievement to bring lessons in economics to Greenacres Elementary students. On “JA Day,” Allstate employees spend the entire day teaching a variety of interactive activities that stress the importance of education and workplace skills. Allstate funds all materials. Allstate also sponsored an “Around the World in 80 Days Reading Challenge” incentive program supporting reading objectives by Greenacres students.
“Community Member/Organization Co-recipient: K-Kids Club and Pat Lutzenberger – Liberty Lake Elementary. Since starting in March 2004, the Liberty Lake K-Kids Club and advisor Pat Lutzenberger have given more than 1,400 hours of community service. Advised by the Liberty Lake Kiwanis, this group of fourth- and fifth-grade students has done community service, fundraisers and activities benefiting organizations and individuals. The K-Kids collected nearly $500 and more than 1,000 jars of baby food for the Barker Learning Center and the local food bank, visited City Hall and convinced the mayor to proclaim a citywide “No Smoking” day, adopted a Kenya orphanage and delivered Valentine’s cards to Guardian Angel Assisted Living Home residents.
“Classified Employee: Bruce Spurlock – District Office. With a “can-do” attitude and perseverance, Spurlock manages dozens of district computer servers supporting more than 12,000 students and 1,500 staff. He also manages the firewalls and the ongoing onslaught of intruders battering these servers to reach electronic information about students, staff and the district. This past year, Spurlock solved a nagging technological problem. After converting to a new district Web site, the site would experience short service lapses. These “blips” meant restarting the Web site, which he did even on evenings and weekends. He spent months researching and testing “fixes” before he solved the problem.
“Certificated Employee: Jana McKnight – Barker High School. A high school teacher in the district for more than 25 years, McKnight was instrumental in the creation of Barker High School in 1996. Designed to serve discouraged and disenfranchised students, Barker became a fully accredited high school in 2002, due in part to her planning and evidentiary work. McKnight’s heart has led her to a district role that places her in a highly challenging work environment. The relationship she forges with students is founded in respect, honesty and caring. Her students know they can trust her and that she will hold them accountable. She challenges students to step up to meet their capabilities.
“Team: North Pines Middle School teaching staff. Several years ago, the teaching staff at North Pines took an honest look at the factors affecting student performance. They received a three-year grant, identified goals and began a journey which has transformed the school’s culture. North Pines teachers have worked to improve classroom instruction, use reading strategies across the curriculum, increase parent involvement and overcome economic factors. Curriculum and instructional decisions are now made by teachers working in teams to collaborate and make decisions based on solid data and student need. The results include dramatic increases in student test scores, the number of students on honor roll and parent involvement.