Good News February 13, 2018

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. supports Federal Way Public Schools families

For families struggling to make ends meet, the holidays can be a tough time of year. Tonight, we would like to recognize Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for adopting a Federal Way Public Schools family to support this holiday season in direct support of strategic plan goal two whole child: thriving, confident, responsible individuals.

Brothers, when I call your name please come forward to be recognized:

• Mitch Jeune
• Julian Heyward
• Jason Cavness
• Conrad Webster
• Yarid Mera
• Josh Cheatam
• Anthony Buchanan
• Everett Bond
• Josh Dawson
• Dereck Cook

The chapter's Adopt-A-Family event enables the Men of Sigma to take some of that pressure off of a deserving family every year.

The Men of Sigma donated over $2,500 for a Christmas shopping spree at Target Department Store and Dick's Sporting Goods. The family was able to purchase coats, pants, shirts, underwear, sock, shoes, and games. Those children in the family that participate in sports were able to purchase sporting gear.

Thank you to our community partner for providing essential support to our scholars and families during the holidays!

Woodmont K-8 scholars achieve perfect attendance

The student-scholars and staff at Woodmont K-8 have an exciting achievement to celebrate. Woodmont has embarked on an "Attendance STARS!" effort. STARS stands for Scholars Tenacious Attendance Reflects Success. Each classroom has a banner they fill with a letter for each day all scholars are in class, on time, all day. Woodmont had 10 classrooms meet this goal rather quickly and are now on their second banner to fill "Attendance STARS."

There are representatives from each class here this evening. Please come forward when I call your name:

• Daniel Ayala-Mendez
• Yahya Daud 
• Yusuf Daud 
• Lizbeth Quinones-Alvarez 
• Oriana Harris
• Taniya Guster
• Anell-Jade Amponsah 
• Michael Gasanov 
• Ona Kelley
• Ebba Flor 
• Melina Eng

School staff, you are welcome to come forward too. Woodmont’s focus on attendance is tied to the district-wide emphasis on goal two of the strategic plan: whole child: thriving, confident, responsible individuals. One measure of success for this goal is student-scholars participating in at least 95 percent of instructional time.

Thank you to Woodmont for making attendance and student success a priority! Keep up the great work.

TJHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America club donates books

Today we’d like to recognize our scholars involved with the Thomas Jefferson High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student leadership club. This year the scholars started a children’s book drive — that they hope to make an annual event. They collected approximately 160 books, which were given to the Thomas Jefferson High School ECEAP families and included a note reminding families about the amazing benefits of early reading.

Scholars please come forward to be recognized:

• Sophia Chen
• Melody Du 
• Madeline Aguirre
• Mairead Busbee-Adams
• Adilene Martinez
• Dahiana Salas
• Gurbir Kaur
• Odalis Octaviano 

This is a great example of how our scholars are leading efforts to support our goal one early years efforts to build a strong literacy foundation.

Scholars, thank you for your leadership. We are proud of you!

Kilo teacher wins Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the year for 2017

I would like to acknowledge a teacher who won the Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the year for 2017 presented by Washington’s Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE).

This teacher is Michelle Cole from Kilo Middle School. Michelle, please come up to be recognized.

Michelle has built routines and rituals into class that allow all students to feel safe and confident in themselves to put forth their best effort no matter what the activity is. This results in improved confidence in themselves and their abilities throughout out the year, and they see that steady improvement all year long.

Thank you, Michelle, for your creativity and commitment to student learning and ensuring all students are thriving, confident, responsible individuals — goal two of our strategic plan.

Matthew Jarvis donates $5,000 to Panther Lake Elementary

The board would like to recognize and thank Matthew Jarvis with Jarvis Financial for his donation of $5,000 to Panther Lake Elementary. This donation was put towards technology to enhance scholar learning and prepare them to succeed in 21st Century college and career pathways.

On January 11, Matthew presented kindergarten scholars with iPads for the classroom that had been purchased with the donation money.

Schools cannot do it alone, and family and community engagement supports pillar two of our strategic plan. Matthew, thank you for your donation to help our scholars be engaged, empowered, critical thinkers — goal three of our strategic plan!