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Good News January 10, 2017

  • Good News Announcements
Good News January 10, 2017

Sacajawea Middle School Student places in Math Fall Classic

The Math Fall Classic was designed to reward excellence in mathematics. The classic was held in November 2016, and Sacajawea Middle School students placed very well in individual and team contests.

Approximately 100 middle and high school students from around the state participated in this 20th annual event hosted at Thomas Jefferson High School.

The Board recognizes Sacajawea Middle School student, Zoie Aquino, who placed 3rd in the individual multiple-choice challenge and 4th in ciphering.

This effort is in direct support of the district’s Strategic Plan Goal 4, Content Area Competence: Mastery of All Subjects.

TAF Academy Techno Tigers take first place 

In November 2016, the TAF Academy robotics team, the Techno Tigers, competed against 11 other schools from the southern Puget Sound area in the Spencer League robotics competition. This competition was a representation of Content-Area Competence and is in direct support of Goal 4 of our Strategic Plan. 

At the competition, teams score as many points as possible in three minute matches, either by claiming light beacons, shooting particles into goals, or lifting exercise balls. The Techno Tigers won all five of their matches, which put them in first place.

 The board would like to recognize these scholars:

  • Cody Small
  • Juan Garcia-Bucio
  • Ryan DeBoer
  • Aaron Ho

Also, in December 2016 the team went on to compete in the final qualifying tournament and placed second. This improves their standing in the Spencer League before the regional robotics competition in January.

Way to go, Techno Tigers!

TAF Academy seniors awarded scholarships 

In December 2016, four TAF Academy seniors received the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Scholarship award, each in the amount of $2,500.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Scholarship is in its second year of partnership with TAF Academy, supporting the school's college and career readiness programs through the National Urban League program, Project Ready. This is in support of Strategic Plan Goal 5: Persistence to Graduation.

The board would like to recognize these scholars:

  • Gurleen Bassi
  • Kamryn Bond
  • Katherin Guzman
  • Torri Brown

Two of the recipients, Gurleen Bassi and Katherin Guzman, participated in the National Urban League Youth Summit, a national youth leadership conference, where they represented the Seattle area.

We are proud of the effort that each of you put in to achieve this award — congratulations!

Lakota MS teams up with Federal Way Cares for Kids

In December 2016, at Lakota Middle School, our community united as one and volunteered at the annual Federal Way Cares for Kids holiday support program.

Federal Way Cares for Kids is a community coalition who coordinates the talents, resources and skills of local organizations and individuals to maximize support received by kids and families of Federal Way schools in direct support of Strategic plan Goal 2 Whole Child: Thriving, Confident, Responsible Individuals. 

The board would like to recognize the following representatives: 

  • Chief Andy Hwang, Federal Way Police Dept.
  • Lindsey Sperry, Federal Way Police Dept.
  • Kassie Swenson, Federal Way Public Schools
  • Tracy Oster, Communities in Schools
  • Jon McIntosh, Grace Church
  • Wendy McIntosh, Grace Church
  • Paul Zimmerman, Grace Church
  • Janice Siebenaler, Heritage Bank
  • Susan Moss, Life and Health Chiropractic
  • Kevin Crossen, South King Fire and Rescue

This year, almost 200 families received support, totaling over 1,000 children!

Volunteers partnered with parents to complete holiday shopping for their children, and others had the opportunity to create gifts with children for their parents.

Thank you to our community partners for their support of scholar success!

FWPS scholars participate in Hour of Code 

As part of the district’s ongoing work to incorporate 21st century skills within our instruction, all grade levels participated in Hour of Code activities during Computer Science Education Week in December. We are pleased to report that over 11,000 students participated in the week-long event. That’s an increase of 3,500 more scholars participating than last year!

The board would like to recognize the following scholars from Rainier View Elementary who participated in Hour of Code:  

  • Tim Parkhomey
  • Gerson Sanchez
  • Evelin Ramirez
  • Tessa Rainford
  • Gabe Jones
  • Ammar Muhi

A special thanks to our Teaching for Learning Department for their efforts and outreach to encourage participation. 

This effort is in support of Strategic Plan Goal 3, Active Learners: Engaged, Empowered, Critical Thinkers.

Scholars, we are proud of you!

Thomas Jefferson HS scholars are chosen for All Northwest and All State Orchestra 

Each year high school students have the opportunity to submit audition recordings to be part of the All Northwest or State Orchestra.This year, two students from Thomas Jefferson High School were selected!

The board would like to recognize the following students:

  • Nicholas Kim has been selected to play the viola for the All-Northwest Orchestra. He represents one of the best viola players from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska.
  • Madison Kim has been selected to play for the All-State Orchestra. She represents one of the best viola players from Washington state.

Both Nicholas and Madison will rehearse for two days at the Bellevue Convention Center, then play concerts over Presidents' Day Weekend at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.

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!

Families Help Familes at Enterprise Elementary 

In December 2016, Enterprise Elementary School’s teachers, staff members, student volunteers, World Vision, and AmeriCorps members sorted donations and gifts for 44 school families for their 19th annual Families Helping Families program.

 The board would like to recognize the following staff members and representatives: 

  • Quincy Walker, World Vision
  • Brenna Gile, AmeriCorps
  • Adam Sanders
  • Karen Sacia
  • Stacy Traylor
  • Shay Smith
  • Brayden Todd
  • Natalia Baerenwald
  • Abby Carmel

We are proud of these individuals for supporting Goal 2 of the Federal Way Public Schools' Strategic Plan by addressing the needs of the whole child so that they become thriving, confident, responsible individuals through this annual program!