Good News February 28, 2017

Kiwanis and FWPS partner to Bridge a Gap 

The board would like to take a moment to recognize and thank the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way for its continued partnership over the years. Kiwanis Club has run the concessions stand at Memorial Field since 1971, donating 50 percent of its proceeds to our district.

Specifically the board would like to thank Ed Plumlee, current president of Kiwanis Club of Federal Way; Dennis Hulse, past president of Kiwanis Club of Federal Way, and all other Kiwanis members for presenting a check of $21,488 to the district, that goes towards support of school activities.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. We appreciate your steadfast service within our community, and all you do to support our student-scholars.

Additionally, as part of this partnership, Federal Way Public Schools commits to donating 25 percent of the amount received from the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way to the Bridging A Gap Program. The Board would like to present Valerie Danforth, of the "BAG" program a check of $5,372, on behalf of the district.

The BAG Program was established in 2014 to provide food for students in Federal Way Public Schools who might not otherwise have a reliable source of nutrition over the weekends, and during school breaks. Each week, a team of volunteers meets and stuffs backpacks with nutritious, easy to prepare foods. The filled backpacks are then dropped off at the school each Friday, or the day before the school break, and are distributed to the students by school staff. On Mondays, the students return their empty packs to the school and volunteers pick them up so that we are able to re-fill them the following week.

Thank you to our community partners for all you do to support our scholars!

Raiders Girls Bowling place third in state

Congratulations to the Thomas Jefferson High School girls bowling team for placing third in the WIAA state tournament! Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of strategic plan Goal Three: Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

The Board would like to recognize the following team members and coaches:

• Whitney Lee
• Ku’u Esquerra
• Abbie Harris
• Kaitlyn Larimore
• Cassie Lee
• Madison McCord
• Haylee Pollard
• Coach Joseph Townsend
• Assistant Coach Marty Lee

This season, the Raiders were undefeated, having won the 4A North Puget Sound League and the 4A West Central District title for the first time.

In addition to winning the team state tournament, Whitney Lee took third place in the WIAA State Individual bowling contest. Coach Joseph Townsend was named the North Puget Sound League Coach of the Year.

We could not be more proud of you for this achievement. Congratulations!

Gators Cheer takes second in state

The Board is FWPS proud of the Decatur High School cheer team who has placed second in the state in the 3A/4A division! Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of strategic plan Goal Three: Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

The Board would like to recognize the following team members

• Brookelyn Andrews 
• Perla Avelino 
• Ty Goode 
• Niayeve James-Ortiz 
• Tayzaj Murray 
• Courtney Pitre
• Jordan Reddicks
• Paulette Rogers  
• Kiora Surratt 
• Mikayla Thomas  
• Kacey Vongsaveng 
• Michela Walker  
• Kayla Watkins  
• Trinity Zapareski
• Coach Angelica Watkins

In order to win the team performed a 2 minute 30 second routine that incorporated group stunts, pyramids, jumps and a cheer section.

Congratulations Decatur cheer team! We are so proud of how hard you worked, and how much you accomplished.

Decatur Gator selected as 4A Female WIAA Athlete of the Week

Each week throughout the school year, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association recognizes varsity athletes, who are in good academic standing, and exhibit an outstanding performance for the previous week (based off of nominations).

Tonight, the Board would like to recognize Decatur High School scholar-athlete Makayla Lambert who was selected as a 4A female Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week!

Makayla Lambert had an outstanding game against Tyee, scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds leading the Gators. Participation in extracurricular activities is in direct support of strategic plan Goal Three: Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

Only one nominee per gender is chosen statewide in the 4A classification (60+schools) which provides a perspective on how HUGE this recognition is for Makayla!

Congratulations, we are so proud of you!

FWPS Scholars make 2017 All-State Band, Choir, and Orchestra 

On February 18, a number of FWPS fifth through eighth grade students participated in the Washington State Music Educators Association Honor Ensembles at the National Association for Music Education's All-Northwest Regional Conference.

These scholars auditioned and were selected to rehearse and perform with the other top student musicians under the direction of accomplished directors in their respective areas of music education. 

The Board would like to recognize: 

• Taylor Harmer, Alto
• Emily DeBoer, Alto
• Myla Warden, Alto
• Sam Flores, Baritone
• June Hee Lee, Violin
• Caleb Choi, Bb Clarinet 
• Luqman Shibly, Euphonium 
• Cassidy Stanhope, Tuba 
• Isaac Yi, Viola 
• Ally Phan, Alto

These scholars are 2017 All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra participants. 

This accomplishment is in direct support of strategic plan Goal 4: Content Area Competence.  

We are so proud of you for going after your dreams!   

Sherwood Forest receives "Apples for Education" 

Congratulations, scholars and staff at Sherwood Forest Elementary for receiving $4,500 from the U.S. Apples Association for its participation in “Apples for Education: Buy an Apple, Help a Student” program.

The Board would like to recognize Principal Alisa DeSart and P.E. Specialist, Ryan Westhoff for their local leadership at Sherwood Forest that made this possible.

The school community has worked hard this school year to encourage Sherwood Forest scholars to choose an apple when searching for a snack. Boxes of apples have been available in the school office every Friday thanks to previous grants and community donations.

The newly awarded funds will allow Mr. Westhoff to purchase more apples and expand the program, so apples will now be available each week on Monday and Wednesday in addition to Friday.

Congratulations Sherwood Forest Elementary for your commitment to  encouraging our scholars’ healthy eating habits which has an impact on our scholars in the classroom and at school and is in support of the district’s strategic plan Goal Two, Whole Child: Thriving, Confident, Responsible Individuals.

Governor Inslee gives FWPS a Gold Star

Federal Way Public Schools is pleased to report that 955 — or 99 percent — of last year’s eligible eighth graders, signed up for the College Bound Scholarship program by the June 30^th deadline. This is in direct support of Goal Five: Persistence to Graduation of our Strategic Plan. Statewide, over 30,000 — 71 percent — of eligible students signed up for the program.

Governor Inslee has recognized Federal Way Public Schools as one of the top school districts to exceed the statewide average sign-up rate of 71 percent. To commemorate this acknowledgment, the governor has presented Federal Way Public Schools with the Gold Star Award.

The Board would like to thank our middle school principals for their effort. The Board would also like to acknowledge the work of three of our district leaders Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, David Stone, and Vince Blauser.

The College Bound Scholarship helps Washington’s income eligible students reach higher levels of educational attainment. In combination with other state aid, it covers tuition at public college rates. Eligible students sign up in middle school by June 30 of their eighth grade year to receive an early commitment of state funding.

Open Door Scholars graduate

The Board would like to recognize three graduates from Federal Way Open Doors. Persistence to Graduation is Goal Five of our Strategic Plan, and these graduates demonstrated this in spades.

The Board would like to recognize the following scholars:

Billy Marok started at Federal Way Acceleration Academy, now Federal Way Open Doors, in the summer of 2016.  He came in needing to finish two U.S. history classes. Bill completed these classes while also having a full time job. Before attending Federal Way Open Doors, Billy attended Decatur and Federal Way High School, and Mariner High School. For his next steps, Billy is considering a career in firefighting with the help of a mentor. He is also considering enrolling in community college with the help of Seattle Education Access. We wish Billy the best of luck in the future, and feel confident in his future success.

Joey Flood has been at Open Doors for almost two years. He was one of our very first students! He came to us needing seven credits — that's 14 classes — to graduate. Once he figured out the online platform and how to discipline himself with online learning, he successfully worked through to the end, and is now a high school graduate! Next steps for Joey are getting his driver's license and finding work. He wants to be out there for a while before he decides what to do next. We are very fond and proud of Joey and his accomplishments!

Jeremiah Mored enrolled with Open Doors in January 2017 to finish his High School and Beyond Plan, two English classes, two PE classes and one health class. Jerry was extremely diligent, and finished all his credits in two months. Before Jerry was enrolled in Federal Way Open Doors, he was doing the running start program at Federal Way High School and Highline Community College. Jerry plans to move to California and enroll in college. From there he wants study nursing or architecture. Jerry has big goals for his future and is always looking at other options. Jerry was a student that was dedicated with his time here, and was open to talking with other students and staff. Federal Way Open Doors wishes Jerry the best in the future and feels confident in his future success!

Congratulations scholars, we are proud of you!