Education matters: News briefs for Federal Way students and parents

By Kyra Low • June 19, 2009 6:34 pm

Math tutors needed

Interested in tutoring in math or literacy with sixth- through 10th-graders in Federal Way for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year? Contact Jennifer Youngblood, TAF Academy Site Coordinator, at (206) 390-1479 or e-mail jennifery@techaccess.org with any questions.

ELL registration help for summer

Federal Way Public Schools’ English Language Learners Department will once again be providing school registration assistance in August for students and their families who do not speak English.

Students from kindergarten to 12th grade can register from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 10-27, Mondays through Thursdays, at The Commons mall in Federal Way. Translators for Korean, Russian and Spanish speaking families will be available for drop-in visitors and by appointment. For other languages, translators are appointment only. For more information, contact the ELL Department at (253) 945-2094.

AmeriCorps volunteers wanted

AmeriCorps members provide full-time national service to Federal Way students for 10 and a half months beginning Sept. 1.

During the year they are involved in a variety of activities that include tutoring students in reading and math, developing before and after school programs, and providing community service. They are assigned to schools Monday through Thursday, and use Fridays for training, team building and community service projects.

Each member receives a $1,050 monthly stipend, valuable training, health benefits, federal student loan deferments, child care and a $4,725 education award. To apply go to www.americorps.org or call (253) 945-2271.

Valhalla and Panther Lake surplus sale June 24

With the new buildings almost done, it is time to sell off the old furnishings and fixings at Valhalla and Panther Lake elementary schools.

On June 24, items from Panther Lake, 34424 1st Ave. S., will be up for sale from 8 a.m. to noon. From 1 to 4 p.m., items at Valhalla, 27847 42nd Ave. S. in Auburn, will be for sale.

District staff gets first dibs on the items from 8 a.m. to noon June 19.

All items must be taken before the end of the sale time, and there will not be any assistance from staff in loading items. To learn more, call (253) 945-2266.

Early childhood preschool tuition

Federal Way School District has early childhood preschool programs in six elementary schools. All programs fit both special needs and typically developing students.

Classes are made up of eight students with special needs and eight typically developing students. Classes are taught by certified teachers with at least one para-educator assistant in each room. Tuition for a typically developing student is $190 a month with a one-time $25 registration fee. Parents provide transportation to and from school.

Preschool is held Monday through Thursday and follows the Federal Way School District calendar. Each session is two hours and 45 minutes long, and both morning and afternoon sessions are offered.

Children can be registered at the school during their regular business hours. Parents need to bring original proof of birth such as a birth certificate or a passport. Immunization records and emergency contact forms can be filled out at the school.

The Early Childhood Preschool Programs are located at the following elementary schools:

• Camelot: (253) 945-2500 (Two a.m. sessions and two p.m. sessions)

• Enterprise: (253) 945-2600 (One a.m. session and one p.m. session)

• Meredith Hill: (253) 945-3200 (Two a.m. sessions and two p.m. sessions)

• Rainier View: (253) 945-3700 (One a.m. session and one p.m. session)

• Twin Lakes: (253) 945-4200 (Two a.m. sessions and two p.m. sessions)

• Wildwood: (253) 945-4400 (Two a.m. sessions and two p.m. sessions)

The district also provides Head Start and ECEAP preschool programs available to families that meet the income eligibility requirements. For more information about Head Start and ECEAP, call (253) 945-2379. To learn more about the tuition preschool programs available in the school district, contact Julie Hunt at (253) 945-4580 or e-mail jhunt@fwps.org.

Hispanic community meeting rescheduled

The Hispanic Community Meeting originally scheduled for May 28 has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m. at Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Ave. S. in Federal Way. A city update will be given to the Hispanic community.

August WASL testing scheduled

High school students will receive their results from the Spring WASL testing in the first week of June. If they wish to retake any section of the WASL, the next opportunity is August 10-13, 2009. Students in grades 10-12 who plan to retake the WASL in August must sign up.

Registration for the August, 2009, WASL can be made from June 8-26 at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/. Students need their State Student Identification (SSID) number to register. This number is included with the results of the Spring testing. If you need assistance registering, please call (866) 400-9275 (during the registration window only).

As in previous years, August WASL testing for FWPS students will be held at Federal Way High School. The summer testing schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Aug. 10 – Reading

• Tuesday, Aug. 11 – Math

• Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Writing: Expository

• Thursday, Aug. 13 – Writing: Persuasive

Unlike previous years, the state is not funding Summer PAS classes for students preparing for the August WASL testing.

Florida A&M looking for black female students

Florida A & M University is providing an outstanding opportunity for black women entering college in the fall of 2009. It is designed to address their absence in the field of computer technology. A recently-awarded $552,000 NSF Grant entitled African-American Women in Computer Science will provide scholarships from $4,000 to $10,000 per year for female African American students. The full text of the scholarship can be found at http://www.cis.famu.edu/%7Eaawcs/.

Silver Lake first-graders win Mariners contest

Ms. Englund’s first-grade class at Silver Lake Elementary — one of the top five finalists in the Mariners Dairy Cheer Contest — learned Monday, June 15, that they have won a suite at a Mariners game, as well as a chance to meet the Mariners Moose and Dave Niehaus. Their cheer for the Mariners and dairy products was one of the top two vote-getters. You can still see the kids performing the cheer at www.mynorthwest.com/dairycheer.

Olympic View receives $500 grant for books

Olympic View Elementary Librarian Teresa Bateman reports the school has received a Target Grant to purchase $500 worth of books for the school library from FirstBooks. The books have been ordered and are on their way.

FWPA helps Kenyan orphanage

Federal Way Public Academy held its annual Community Service Carnival on May 21 to benefit the Crossroads Springs Orphan Care Center in Hamisi, Kenya. Crossroads Springs is both a school and care center for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. About 200 people attended the carnival, which generated $1,468. This is the fourth year FWPA has donated funds to Crossroads Springs, which is currently building new classrooms and is in greater need than usual. To help out or to learn more, go to http://www.crossroadssprings.org.