Good News: December 10, 2019

Posted by Amanda Dassoff on 12/11/2019 8:00:00 AM

Music Aid Northwest and the Washington Music Educators Association award Sacajawea Middle School with a $4,000 grant

We would like to thank Music Aid Northwest and the Washington Music Educators Association for awarding Sacajawea Middle School with a $4,000 Music Matters Grant!

Sacajawea’s band program has grown from 66 to 84 participants over the past year. This grant money supports the purchase of new brass instruments.

We would like to recognize Robin Blumenthal, Valley Regional President of the Washington Music Educators Association who presented a check of $4,000 to support our scholar-musicians.

As part of this grant, Sacajawea Middle School commits to contributing $400 which means a total of $4,400 toward the school’s band program!

Their support will help our scholars become more proficient in our strategic plan Goal 4, content area competence. Thank you!

Thomas Jefferson High School students selected for the Museum of Flight's Washington Aerospace Scholars Program

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School’s Zoie Noelle Aquino and Ketterra Johnson who were selected for the Museum of Flight’s Washington Aerospace Scholars Program!

This program will help them gain experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathways through the exploration of space, and space travel. It includes online college level courses and working with STEM professionals, National Aeronautics and Space Administration otherwise known as “NASA” scientists, university students, and STEM educators to plan a realistic space mission.

Opportunities like these help our scholars with our Goal 5 efforts, persistence to graduation through successful transitions. We are proud of you Zoie and Ketterra!

154 Twin Lakes Elementary scholars had perfect attendance in the month of October

Twin Lakes Elementary School recently celebrated an exciting achievement. In October, 154 scholars had perfect attendance!

These scholars were in class, on time, every day, ready to learn. They all received perfect attendance certificates, a t-shirt and were recognized during a monthly Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports assembly.

We would like to recognize the scholars who are representing the group who had perfect attendance in October. Thank you to Twin Lakes for supporting our strategic plan Goal 2 whole child efforts and making strong attendance a priority at your school.

Federal Way High School's head football coach selected as the North Puget Sound League 4A Football Head Coach of the Year

Congratulations to John Meagher, Federal Way High School’s head football coach for being selected by his fellow coaches as the North Puget Sound League 4A Football Head Coach of the Year!

John has served 23 years as the Federal Way High School Head football coach. His leadership helped the team secure the North Puget Sound League Valley Division Championship this season. He finishes with a career record of 123-94.

John, thanks for supporting over 100 scholar-athletes each season to be active learners, engaged, empowered critical thinkers — Goal 3 of our strategic plan. We are proud of you for gaining the respect of fellow coaches in the North Puget Sound League as a football coach. Way to go!

FWPS scholars place in Federal Way Invitational Speech and Debate tournament

Federal Way High School recently hosted the Federal Way Invitational Speech and Debate tournament — which has been around nearly 40 years. Our scholars competed against 70 students from 9 schools from across the region. Federal Way Public Schools was represented by students from TAF@Saghalie, Todd Beamer, Thomas Jefferson, and Federal Way high schools.

These engaged, empowered, critical thinkers took first place in the following categories:

• Amy Ojeaburu, oratory
• Mary Wood, dramatic interpretation
• Carlos Santana, humorous interpretation
• Allen Benjamin Tugade, program oral interpretation
• Cade Homfeldt, impromptu
• Mantak Singh, extemporaneous speaking
• Genevieve Tobin and Madalyn Crane, duo interpretation
• Brooke Meadows, informative
• Haley Storms, novice extemporaneous speaking
• Shaaniya Mahabir, novice informative
• Anika Sharma, novice oratory

We would also like to recognize the speech coaches who helped put on the tournament: Isaiah Parker and Meykia Smith from Thomas Jefferson High School and Paul Sealey from Federal Way High School. Congratulations speech-scholars and coaches — we are proud of you!