GHS Tracks

Town Hall with Mayor and Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield Tuesday, June 21 - seasholes@gmail.com

2011-06-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

Town Hall Meeting with Mayor McGuire and SPS Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 South Shore Elementary School Rotunda
4800 S. Henderson, Seattle, WA 98118 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Mike McGinn & Interim Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield invite you to join them for an open community meeting and Q&A session, featuring entertainment by the hit band School of Rock and information about city-wide youth programs and opportunities, the proposed Families & Education Levy, and more. Parking is available at the school and supervised activities for young children, along with water and light snacks, will be provided.

Interpretation and translation will be provided in the following languages: American Sign Language, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Amharic, Tigrinya, and Oromo

Please RSVP to: publicaffairs@seattleschools.org

This meeting is part of an ongoing series of community outreach meetings as part of the Mayor's Engage Seattle and Youth & Families initiatives (www.seattle.gov/engage; http://youthandfamilies.seattle.gov/).

To be included in the contact lists for future Mayor's Office events or to receive regular news from Mayor McGinn, visit www.seattle.gov/mayor/signup.

"Race to Nowhere" Screening at Hamilton

2011-06-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

Race to Nowhere Public Showing at Hamilton International School on Wednesday, June 15th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives. This remarkable new film shines a light on the price young people pay for this “race to nowhere.” High-stakes testing has replaced meaningful teaching and learning. Cheating is commonplace. Stress-related illness, depression, and burnout are rampant. Many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.racetonowhere.com .

Garfield Tracks moderator's note:
I'll pass this along with a recommendation to anyone who has not seen this film yet, in part as an antidote to the "Waiting for Superman" film hype that washed through the media this past year.

Garfield Student wins Edward R Murrow Award for journalism

2011-05-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

Garfield High School Senior Sam Heft-Luthy won 1st place for in the Edward R. Murrow High School Journalism Award (http://communication.wsu.edu/symposium/hscomp/hscomp2011.html ) for Best News Story for his well-written and rather positive article on counter military recruiting.

Army Strong
The Garfield Messenger

By Sam Heft-Luthy
Published December 3, 2010

On the corner of 23rd Avenue and S. Jackson Street, an indistinct beige shopping center buzzes with the weekday rush of Garfield students. They pour into Red Apple, crowd the faux-beach-bum décor of the Taco Del Mar, and make a steady, snaking line at Subway.

Yet next to all of these bustling storefronts is a sight that has become all too familiar in this current economic climate. A row of several businesses stands closed for good, several “For Lease” signs the only clue that the now lifeless facades were ever once occupied.

However, among the abandoned windows and signs is one tenant who is as active as ever. Although the curtains to the windows are drawn, a bright red lettering above the door proclaims “U.S. Navy Recruiting”.

This lone open storefront in a tide that is decisively turned against it is indicative of the nation as a whole – publicly released military figures show that any 1 percent increase in civilian unemployment yields a 0.6 percent increase in recruiting.

A Princeton University study shows that “Voluntary military enlistment during wartime” depends on three factors: “college aspirations, lower socioeconomic status, and living in an area with a high military presence.” Garfield parent and prominent anti-war activist Kathy Barker says that it’s her duty to influence the latter. For the past five years, Barker has led the campaign to counter the presence of military recruiters in Seattle Public Schools.

“I got involved through anti-war work during the time that the [Iraq] war was starting. That’s when I became aware of No Child Left Behind,” she tells me.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was one of the earliest Congressional acts supported by George W. Bush. In addition to a subtle endorsement of public school prayer and an education reform plan based on standardized test scores, the bill requires that military recruiters be given the same level of access to student information as institutes of higher education, specifically names, addresses, and phone numbers.

“From both an anti-war perspective and as a parent, I found that horrendous, that they would mandate that we had to have military recruiters in schools getting access to kids.”

Although she had a child attending Garfield when she started her work (Zoe Barker-Aderem is a 2009 graduate), Barker’s campaign focused on other schools.

“There was a coalition at the time,” Barker tells me, “teachers and activists who wanted to let students know that they had the right to opt-out. That was all it was, just letting people know that they have the right not to give their name to the military” (The NCLB mandate on recruiters also includes a right to request that information not be released to military recruiters).

At first, the coalition did nothing but hand out papers; Barker and her compatriots stood (off of school grounds) and handed students the very same opt-out forms that now come in the start-of-school packets. Eventually, the group, along with several school PTSAs (including Garfield’s) worked out a compromise with Seattle Public Schools to redefine official military recruiter policy.

Seattle Schools’ official stance is fairly strict towards military recruiters on school grounds. Policy states that recruiters must stay in uniform, must identify their branch of service and the visit’s intention, and are held to strict expectations. Garfield rules allow counter-recruiters (including Kathy Barker) to be present at all recruiter meetings, as long as they do not “interfere or confront the recruiters”. The guidelines for principals state that although SPS is required under threat of loss of federal funding to give recruiters certain admissions, “equal access does not require more access.”

Yet at Garfield’s 2010 – 2011 homecoming assembly, three army representatives stood in the audience. After the dougie-ing and introductions finished, they walked up and called down Pierre Wright. Wright had recently been an integral player in Garfield’s 35 – 28 victory over Roosevelt, where he had rushed for 261 yards and passed for 104 — an achievement that’s difficult even in Madden.

The three men in full uniform, along with a representative of the Seattle Seahawks, presented Wright with the “U.S. Army Player of the Week” award. According to the award’s official website, the $250 prize is awarded to the ASB of a player who displays “Army Strong” traits of “loyalty, duty, respect… honor… and personal courage.”

Though the presentation was fairly respectful, and focused mainly on Wright’s impressive achievements, the army connection felt forced. Says Junior Grant Bronsdon, “I thought it was great that Pierre was recognized, and I didn’t feel that the Army presence was a big deal — although it was a little overblown and unnecessary when they started talking about the army’s ‘core values’.”

“I was really honored to receive the award.” Wright says. “It made me want to work even harder to follow my dream.”

Garfield Principal Ted Howard explains his reasoning behind approving the presentation: “Any time a parent calls me saying that their kid’s being honored, it doesn’t really matter which organization…I would lean toward the side of ‘this kid is being honored, why take that honor away from the kid?’ And that’s the question you have to weigh between the sides: is that message going to get lost in [the Army connection]?”

Kathy Barker maintains the position that such an award is a form of recruiting just as influential as direct informational meetings. Recruiters are held to two Career Center visits per year, but community outreach events such as the U.S. Army POTW award are not subject to that limit. “This is what recruiting is,” Barker asserts.

“The Recruiter Handbook”, published by the United States Army Recruiting Command and freely available on the internet, outlines many “tools, tips, techniques, and insight” intended to help recruiters “provide a continuous supply of quality volunteers”. Among the most repeated aspects of the manual is the importance of involvement in the community. The manual implores recruiters to “participate in public events such as high school sports functions, community fundraisers, or Army-sponsored events” and says “this type of involvement will demonstrate your willingness to be a viable part of the community.”

In addition to lauding the effectiveness of being a visible member of the community, the “Handbook” also suggests finding and addressing “student influencers” by informing them about the benefits the Army can provide. It states, “Students such as class officers, newspaper and yearbook editors, and athletes can help build interest in the Army in the student body” (Italics are my own).

Yet for all of the recruiting tactics Kathy Barker fights against, there are some people who made their military decision earlier than high school.

Garfield class of 2009 alum Kyle Dofredo says he can’t remember a time when he didn’t want to be a soldier.“To be honest I believe I was born with that mind set,” he tells me. “People joke that I was born with an M16 in my hand and cut my way out. Since I was 3 years old I was going out on Halloween in army gear, drawing pictures of battles and constantly playing with army men. So the whole family knew where I was headed.”

Dofredo enlisted with the U.S Army Reserves before graduating high school. He says that his decision was made completely independent of any on-campus recruiters. In his junior year, he dropped into to a U.S Army recruiting center for advice on how to sign up, and then attended basic training in between 11th and 12th grade.

“The recruiter would call every so often or swing by to make sure you were still game,” Dofredo says, “But if you’re wondering if they were pushy or unprofessional like the rumors say, they were the complete opposite.”

Dofredo is currently a Private First Class in the U.S Army.

Kathy Barker tells me that one time this year she had an appointment to be in the room with the Navy recruiters, as is protocol. Career Center director Leanne Hust told her she could arrive at noon, and would be allowed to set up a poster next to the Navy presenters.

Two days before the meeting, Barker received a call saying that the recruiters would be at the school at ten o’clock. When she arrived at Garfield, Ms. Hust said that she had heard nothing about the visit being pushed forward.

“I ran into the navy guys in the parking lot,” Barker tells me. “There were twelve [recruiters].”

“They completely broke protocol.” Barker continues, “The way you get an appointment is supposed to be very strict, but they went over the head of the person who was supposed to be scheduling, and brought all these extra guys… I had to stop one of them from going out into the hall and grabbing students, which you are not allowed to do.”

Barker claims she was met with hostility and dismissive attitudes, and that she was told by the lead recruiting officer told her that he “could push for more visits if [he] wanted”.

Since the appointment was not properly scheduled (no invitations were sent to students), it will not count towards the Navy’s 2 visits per school year.

Although there is a limit on the number of visits per year recruiters can make, Nicole Petty (who is currently starting the job of leading the Career Center) tells me that any organization (including a military organization) can bring as many representatives as it deems necessary.

“Nothing was done — from my knowledge, and from that of my communications with the Seattle Public Schools legal department — that was against any school rules,” Petty tells me.

William Li, another Garfield alumnus, didn’t grow up with quite the same certainty in his future as Kyle Dofredo. He tells me, “As a younger kid and teenager I probably had the same kind of interest in the military that the average male movie theater-goer would have, kind of an abstract sense of heroism and adventure, mixed with the glamor of going on super-secret missions behind enemy lines. But nothing to seriously consider the military as a profession.”

Before graduating high school, Li had only heard about military recruiters through the Garfield PTSA’s efforts to bar them from campus. Eventually Li came to the realization that another four years of traditional schooling would not be the way he wanted to go. In the summer after graduation, Li met with a Marine Corps recruiter who steered him towards officer training.

“He pretty much just gave me the information I needed to make my own decision,” William explains.

When Li explained his choice to his family, he was met with nearly unanimous negativity. “There was an overwhelming feeling of disappointment in my decision. ‘You could do so much better’ thus became the unspoken sentiment.”

Li went through Basic and was preparing for deployment when he was assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training (NROTC) program at the University of Washington. There he is learning the skills and techniques necessary for his future job as a commissioned officer.

“Now that I’m going to school, my family has cooled down considerably, and has even warmed to the idea of my being a Marine. There will always be concern from my family for my safety, but there is greater respect for the decisions I make on my own.”

“Unconditional love is a great safety net,” Li adds, “but [it] can sometimes feel like a trampoline.”

As of November 30, Garfield High School updated their military recruiter rules for the first time since the 2007 – 2008 school year. The rules, which are to be posted on the Garfield website, have several changes to those from the past. Ms. Petty will keep a monthly calendar of all upcoming visits which will be posted in several places; also, recruiters may not make private meetings with students without the consent of the administration. Finally, recruiting is not allowed during an assembly — however Mr. Howard tells me this rule will not actually affect awards such as the one given to Pierre Wright earlier this year.

Kathy Barker stands in Garfield’s Career Center, folding up a poster explaining “the realities of war.” It has pictures of wounded soldiers, and testimonials of veterans who didn’t get the school benefits and bonuses they were expecting.

“The reality of even not killing someone, but crashing into their house and taking them hostage, I think that’s really hard on people…the reason why we can’t get Iraq vets in to speak to kids is because they’re so messed up. PTSD is such a ubiquitous factor in active duty.”

“What I want is for people to make deliberate decisions. If they’re going to go into the military, I hope that people will look at more facts than what the recruiter presents to them.”

http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/focus/2010/12/03/army-strong/

Copyright © 2009 The Garfield Messenger. All rights reserved.

LAX Bulldogs

2011-05-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

The Garfield Girls Lacrosse team has had a winning season this year! Come cheer them on as they play Overlake School Wednesday May 18th at 6:00 PM in the Division 2 semi-final playoff game for the Washington Girls Lacrosse State Championship. The game is at Overlake School in Redmond http://www.wslax.org/fielddirections.php
Come see the fastest growing sport in the Northwest played by the Garfield Girls Lacrosse Team!

Margaret Sandvig
Garfield Girls Lacrosse Co Manager

Forum on Cuts to Classes Thursday May 19th 5-6PM

2011-05-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

The PTSA is hosting a forum on the recently-announced cuts to classes for next year. It will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 5 pm to 6 pm, in the GHS Commons. Mr. Howard will be there, along with some of Garfield's faculty. This forum is open to all. The draft agenda is below. If you have suggestions for the agenda, please send them to David Foutch at dfoutch@blarg.net.

Draft agenda:

Establish the facts:
1. What classes are being cut, compared to previous years and compared to what students have requested?
2. What process and guidelines were used to determine which classes would be cut?
3. How is this related to the projected number of students who will be at the school?

What is likely to happen in the future?
1. Will Garfield receive more budget? For instance, if the actual number students is higher than that assumed for the budget, wouldn't the budget increase?
2. Will some or all of the classes be restored?

What will the school administration do next on this subject?

What will the district administration do?

What should parents do?
1. Lobby the district?
2. Raise money? The PTSA likely could cover only a small portion of the cuts from our current budget.

-David Foutch

Auction May Day in March

2011-03-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

May Day Call in March!
Heidi Noun and I are the food leads and have a team of adults doing prep work at St. Cloud's next week--located at 1134 34th Ave in downtown Madrona, less than a mile from GHS. We are in need of a few more people to work Tues. 3/29, Weds. 3/30 (especially this day) and Thurs. 3/31 from 9 to 1. If by chance you are available to help please stop by.
Thank you, Karen McManus

Legislative action on HB 1470 and 5189

2011-03-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Garfield parents and PTSA have helped play a significant role in this issue. Please take 5 minutes, and contact your state senators and representatives about HB 1470 and SB 5189, "Regarding access to K-12 campuses for occupational or educational information."

The House has already approved the bill, but it is still ongoing in the Senate. Only Bob Hasegawa of the 11th district, and Marko Liias of the 21st district, voted no. All other WA House members voted yes. Please express your disappointment at this yes vote to your House rep, and ask your Senate rep to Vote no on SB 5189.

This is a bill suggested by the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, strongly backed by the military, and requires that schools give military recruiters access to students in grades K-12. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 already requires that secondary schools give access to military recruiters. This bill not only extends the grades that must give access to the military, but would remain as law then if NCLB were amended to not require schools to give students' contact information and access to students to military recruiters.

Please let your reps know that we want more College and Career Center Specialists in schools. Please suggest that the role of the Education Committee, which moved this bill, should be to support students rather than facilitate Department of Defense access to minors in schools.
-Kathy Barker
kbarker715@comcast.net

To find your district reps and their contact information, see http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx .

Bill information http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5189&year=2011

SHB 1470
Access to K-12 campuses/info
House vote on Final Passage
2/25/2011

Yeas: 96 Nays: 2 Absent: 0 Excused: 0

Voting Yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Angel, Appleton, Armstrong, Asay, Bailey, Billig, Blake, Buys, Carlyle, Chandler, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, Crouse, Dahlquist, Dammeier, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Fagan, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Frockt, Goodman, Green, Haigh, Haler, Hargrove, Harris, Hinkle, Hope, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jacks, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kirby, Klippert, Kretz, Kristiansen, Ladenburg, Lytton, Maxwell, McCoy, McCune, Miloscia, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Nealey, Orcutt, Ormsby, Orwall, Overstreet, Parker, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Probst, Reykdal, Rivers, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Ryu, Santos, Seaquist, Sells, Shea, Schmick, Short, Smith, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Takko, Taylor, Tharinger, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Walsh, Warnick, Wilcox, Zeiger, and Mr. Speaker
Voting Nay: Representatives Hasegawa and Liias
Absent:
Excused:

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The idea for this bill came from the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
which studied the issue. This bill simply puts rules around the timing of the access provided. House Bill Report - 2 - HB 1470The military has much to offer young people, including free access to preparatory programs for the ACT and the SAT tests. The military also builds discipline, and provides guidance and mentorship. Currently, students' access to military recruiters is quite limited and should be improved. Many schools allow frequent access to colleges, and hold college days both on and off campus while only allowing the military recruiters access on two occasions a year. The military recruiters can have considerable difficulty getting into schools. Providing more access to the military recruiters will provide students with access to more opportunities and options post-high school. Some students are not college bound. The military provides career options and students should be made aware of these options. Some schools make morning announcements that include information about college recruiters on campus but do not do the same with respect to military recruiters. Unless military recruiters come to campus, many students may remain unaware of such options. The military not only provides options in addition to college, it provides the means to pay for college. The discipline learned in the military led to better grades in college later in life.
(In support with concerns) As the bill is currently written, it causes concerns with its very specific directive regarding the number and timing of visits.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Bailey, prime sponsor; Jeff Brane, Shilo Waltz, Joseph Eralch, and Nicholas Davey, United States Army; Marvin Faulcon and Amanda Edwards, United States Marine Corps; and Mike Partridge, Veterans Legislative Coalition.
(In support with concerns) Marilee Scarbrough, Washington State School Directors' Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.

Kathy Barker
kbarker715@comcast.net

Students Testifying in Olympia

2011-03-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

This proud father would be remiss to not include this bit of Youth Ambassador testimony concerning their truancy program. You can slide forward to 29:45 to catch the start of their testimony that runs a good length of time!

Lori and the Youth Ambassadors deserve a big round of applause. Check them out

Town Hall Visits this weekend

2011-03-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, March 12th, Olympia is coming to you! Your Legislators will hold Town Meetings in your District to fill you in on the session's work, and to hear your concerns.

As you know, the state's revenue forecasts are dismal, and severe cuts to education, social services, and health care are being contemplated to balance the budget. It is vital that Garfield parents and community let our legislators know what our kids need to achieve in the 21st century. Many legislators do not have kids in school, and do not understand the impact of larger class sizes, layoffs, and cuts to services like career counselors.

Here is a list of Town Halls by Legislative District (check your voter card if you don't know your district)

11th LD (Seattle - South)
Rep. Bob Hasegawa South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus; 6727
Corson Ave S, 10am-12pm
Plus Telephone Town Hall
1-877-229-8493, Access # 15515 6:30pm

34th LD (West Seattle)
Senator Nelson, Reps. Cody & Fitzgibbon
Highpoint Community Center 10am-12pm

36th LD (Seattle NW) no 36th District Town Hall
Option to meet with legislators in Olympia on Thurs. 3/24 lunch-time,
(contact Heidi@bennettdirect.net if you want to attend)

37th LD (Seattle Central)
Senator Kline, Reps. Santos & Pettigrew
Garfield Community Center 2323 E Cherry 10:30am-12pm

43rd LD (Seattle North)
Senator Murray, Reps. Pedersen & Chopp
Seattle First Baptist; 1111 Harvard Ave 2pm

46th LD (Seattle NE)
Senator White, Reps. Frockt & Gutierrez Kenney
Meadowbrook Comm. Center, Multi purpose room; 10517 35th Ave NE, 12-1:30pm

--
Janis Traven
Legislative Chair, Garfield High School
206.285.7375
janistraven@comcast.net

PTSA General Meeting Mon Jan 31st

2011-01-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

The amazing and dedicated Garfield High School PTSA holds its next general meeting on Monday, January 31, in the school commons. We know your time is valuable and we promise to use it well! The meeting will start at 7 pm and end by 8:30 pm, but you should arrive early and enjoy two student art shows - one in the lobby of the Q, the other in the library. Then join us at the PTSA meeting to learn about what is happening at the school and at the district, and to help the PTSA set its budget priorities. You'll also hear about the progress on the very important (and fun) Raise the Woof Auction.

Agenda:

Student art shows - 6:30 - 7:00 pm

Photography in the library

Art show in the lobby of the Quincy Jones Performance Center

Welcome and introductions - 5 min.

PTSA business - 15 min.

Elect the nominating committee

Budget priorities for 2011-2012

Progress on the Raise the Woof Auction, April 2 - 10 min.

Update from the District -- Nancy Coogan, Executive Director of Central Region Schools, approximately 20 minutes

How will the assignment plan changes affect Garfield?

How will the budget cuts affect Garfield?

Update from the School -- Ted Howard, Principal, approximately 15 minutes

We hope to see you on Monday!

Jayn Foy and David Foutch

PTSA Co-Presidents

GARFIELD KIDS “BUILDING BRIDGES”

2011-01-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

WORKING FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY

Approximately 150 people gathered at the Garfield Teen Life Center on the evening of January 12^th for “Building Bridges”, a youth led forum on police, youth and community relations.

The idea for the forum was youth-initiated and co-produced by Garfield’s Students Against Violence Everywhere* and the Seattle Youth Commission**, in partnership with the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, Partners in Prevention and the Seattle Police Department. The evening included a panel of officers, community members, and teenagers, as well as breakout discussion groups led by Garfield students where everyone attending (police, youth, and community) had the opportunity to share and listen to each other’s concerns.

“With all of the attention on the problems in our community with youth and police, we thought it was time to start focusing on how to improve the situation for everyone and that Seattle youth needed to be part of that discussion,” said high school senior Emerson North of Students Against Violence Everywhere. And according to Issac Pearson, a spoken word artist and Garfield High School junior who’s a member of the Seattle Youth Commission, “Youth have a lot to say that can be constructive, if people will listen.”

One of the most positive outcomes of the event was the many sign-ups from teens to participate in a student led advocacy alliance to meet monthly with the ability and access to continue to dialogue with SPD on the issues that affect youth.

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is a student- led program working to spread awareness about alternatives to youth violence throughout the* Seattle community through youth led initiatives.

**The Seattle Youth Commission is a group of 22 Seattleites aged 13-19 from all over the city who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council to connect youth to their elected officials. http://www.seattle.gov/syc/

-Notice forwarded by SAVE advisor Holly Jacobson

Legislative and District Updates

2011-01-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

Next Garfield PTSA General Meeting is Monday, January 31st 7-8:30 in the commons.

Notes from PTSA members involved in vital efforts affecting Seattle Schools are below:

State Education Budget Update
I’d like to update you on the recommendations today from the House Ways & Means Committee.

The substitute bill with amendments hasn’t been posted to the Legislature’s website, so don’t consider this email gospel. The bill going forward restores the highly capable program, so APP/Spectrum and some AP/IB programs won’t be affected for this school year. If you’ve contacted your legislators in the past few days, you have made a difference with your advocacy.

The original bill, HB 1086, made cuts in K-4 class size reduction that would have cost SPS about $11M in lost reimbursement. With the substitute bill that passed, that figure is now closer to $4M, I’m told. A big hit, but not as bad as anticipated.

The full House needs to vote on the bill, then it goes to the Senate.

Then the budgeting process for the for the next two years begins. Your advocacy will be needed. I hope you’ll join me on one of my trip to Olympia.
--
Janis Traven Legislative Chair, Garfield High School 206.285.7375

and Seattle School Board Decisions Affecting Garfield

I wanted to let you know that the School Board passed the New Student Assignment Plan (NSAP) on Wednesday January 19. You can find the document at this link: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/011911agenda/transitionplanrevision2.pdf

With regard to Garfield they essentially agreed to:

(1) end Open Choice for Garfield for 2012 due to the overcrowding

(2) move the southern school boundary north (approximately everything south of the I-90 lid). If you have the boundary map it would be areas H, A, I, X

(3) an optional APP at Ingrahm

(4) Extending the time students could remain at the World School

A conservative estimate is -175 fewer students for next year with no cap on enrollment, and no addressing the over enrollment issue we are dealing with right now. This means we will have at the same number of students in the school next year as we do this year, if not more.

During the presentation of the NSAP a School Board member asked about the idea of a split schedule at Garfield. Tracy Libros said that Nancy Coogan is moving ahead with this. I asked Mr Howard about this at the PTSA Board meeting on Thursday January 21 and he said that he had given a draft plan to Nancy and has not heard back from her. Mr Howard said he has spoken to the teachers about this idea and they are not supportive of a 0 hour class. When asked about getting input from PTSA leadership regarding the idea of a split schedule Mr Howard referred to the attached document which is something he distributed at the December 13 PTSA meeting. He said he has not reached out to the PTSA for their input on this issue.

Please review the attached schedule and send your thoughts about a split schedule at Garfield to me. Nancy Coogan (our region's Executive Director) will be at the January 31 PTSA General Meeting and this would be an excellent opportunity to provide her and Mr Howard with the thoughts and comments of the wider Garfield community.

Thanks, Polly Davis

Help Wanted:PTSA assn't treasurer , auction data entry and videographer needed

2011-01-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Garfield parents and community,

1)The PTSA is hoping to find an assistant treasurer to help with the books.
We raise over 250,000 a year for our children and staff! If you would like
to learn about the inner workings of the organization please contact our
current treasurer, Tom Gaffney <gaffert@comcast.net> and he can fill you in
on the details. Phone number for Tom - 357-5722

2)We are gearing up for our largest fundraiser of the year and looking for
some help. Our co-chairs Jessica Williams and Marlies van Bergeijk have been
lining up a good TEAM WOOF! The current needs are: two silent auction leads,
live auction lead, and data entry lead. Please contact Marlies van Bergeijk
<marliesvanb@covad.net> if you're interested in being a part of this
incredible group of volunteers. Phone number for Marlies - 354-0978

3)Janis Traven and her husband Mark Lindsey are creating a new inspirational
and crowd pleasing prelude to Raise the Woof! Paddle Frenzy. They are
willing to organize the students and do editing but really need a
videographer. If you could help please contact Janis Traven
<janistraven@comcast.net> Her phone number is 285-2357

Thank you for becoming involved,
Jayn Foy and David Foutch
PTSA co-presidents

Fulfilling New Year Resolutions

2011-01-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

Did you notice a "whoosh and a whirl" as your teens headed out the door this morning? The resumption of school brings fuller schedules, a bit more structure and a host of opportunities for Bulldogs on the go.

Resolution #1: Stay informed. No doubt about it, the GHS website and Daily Bulletin are the best place for parents to quickly scan the "The Must, the Should and the Maybe" opportunities that abound. Garfield Notes is very useful, subscribe if you don't already.

Resolution #2: Enjoy life's richness. This January Garfield Stage present a children's show and short vignettes , the Orchestra offers a waltz at Benaroya Hall, the Jazz Band kicks it in the Q, and sociable teens are tooling up to Tolo! on the 27th.

Resolution #3: Be more active. OK, so winter sports at Garfield won't tone the muscles of sports fans, but family support of athletics is still an invigorating affair. The winter season schedule is jam packed and sign ups for spring club and interscholastic sports are not far off. For example, let me pass along this note at one team's request:
Join the Garfield Girls Lacrosse Club* Team Pre-Season Meeting No previous lacrosse skills necessary to play on the teams; New and inexperienced players welcomed! Meet the Coaches, Captains, New & Returning Players; Get information on Practices, Games, Equipment, Uniforms, Registration, & more… (Parents requested to attend) Wednesday January 5th, 2011; 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM @ the Douglass-Truth Library (S Yesler & 23rd Ave S) For further information, Visit our Team Website or contact: Karen Code , Margaret Sandvig , or MaryAnne Trettenero *Member of Washington Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association.

Resolution #4: Be more active, Ver. 2. Just do it! OK, so for adults being active more often takes the form of engaged parenting, community involvement, and sharing our concerns in ways that make things happen. There is no better place to make your mark than in the schools that serve our children. Visit the school, volunteer, email teachers, advocate for district policy. If you need a guide, the PTSA is happy to help direct you to a satisfying role @GHS, just contact Jayn Foy or David Foutch .

Resolution #5: Start now.

Garfield Tonight and District Plans in the Days Ahead

2010-12-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

GENERAL PTSA MEETING MONDAY, DEC 13TH 7-8:30 pm in Garfield Commons
Nancy Coogan, Executive Director Central Area Schools
Ted Howard, Principal
Kay Smith Blum, School Board Director
Three student clubs: ASB, CORE, SAVE

Dear All,
Opportunities to get your comments to the School District and School Board are drawing to a close. Listed below are 4 more dates with a vote being taken on January 19 at the School Board meeting -

In 2009, the Seattle School Board approved a New Student Assignment Plan, school attendance area boundaries and a transition plan for 2010-11, the first year of implementation. The plan responds to what families requested during more than two years of extensive community engagement – a plan that is predictable, equitable and easy to understand.

Work has begun to create the Transition Plan for 2011-12, which will set out rules for the continued phasing-in of the New Student Assignment Plan. Seattle Public Schools is seeking input from families, staff and community members to help shape the Transition Plan. At a series of formal meetings and informal drop-in sessions, staff will share data and information about enrollment trends, options to balance enrollment with capacity and other information related to capacity management.

Among the topics included in the discussion will be development of geographic zones for option schools. The “geographic zone” will provide a tiebreaker for students who live within a defined area in proximity to the school. Option schools include STEM@Cleveland, NOVA and The Center School high schools; AS#1, Jane Addams, Salmon Bay, TOPS, Pathfinder, Orca and South Shore K-8 schools; and Thornton Creek and Queen Anne elementary schools

Planning for the second year of the new student assignment plan will be integrated with development of a longterm Capacity Management Plan. Board policy requires an annual review of enrollment trends, capacity needs and facilities needs.

The drop in sessions are an opportunity to review documents and ask a few questions of staff. The last one is Tuesday December 14 from 6:00 - 8:00.

Student Assignment Transition and Capacity Management Planning: Key Dates at JSCEE (the School District Office - John Stanford Center)
Dec. 14 6-8 p.m. Drop-in session JSCEE Room 2750
Dec. 15 4-7 p.m. School Board work session – Integrated Planning JSCEE Auditorium
Jan. 5 6 p.m. School Board meeting – Transition Plan introduction JSCEE Auditorium
Jan. 19 6 p.m. School Board meeting – Transition Plan vote JSCEE Auditorium

Happy Holidays, Polly Davis

BARK Dogs BARK

2010-12-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

The December Bark newsletter is online on the school website with a number of thoughtful, reflective pieces from parents adding to important announcements from staff , and PTSA. Read and discuss.

The Holiday Fund, in conjunction with the counseling office, is collecting donations to assist GHS families during this season. Please make checks payable to Garfield PTSA, with "Holiday Fund" in the memo line; submitted to the PTSA HOLIDAY FUND envelope in the main office.
December's Holiday Breakfast for Teachers and Staff is Wednesday Dec 15th, 7 am in Room 109. Contact Susan Barkan at barkas@uw.edu if you can provide food or beverages or help set-up or clean up.

In addition to mining dates from the calendar printed in the Bark, remember that the school calender is on the school website.

For more info on the arts @Garfield, Check out Garfield Drama, Vocal Music, Jazz and Orchestra websites.

Meetings that Matter

2010-12-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Rescheduled PTSA General Meeting 12/13 "State of the School"
The PTSA hosts its second general meeting of the year on Monday, December 13th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the commons.
Principal Ted Howard will describe the State of the School and take questions.
School Board Director Kay Smith-Blum will provide an update of how upcoming School Board and School District decisions could affect Garfield and will take questions.
We hope you can make it! Jayn Foy and David Foutch, PTSA Co-presidents

Central District Feedback Sought:
12/7, 7-8:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School

Your child. Your school. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

Parent Feedback Meeting
Seattle Public Schools recently released its annual District Scorecard as well as individual School Reports. (Garfield Report link)These are designed to show the community where Seattle schools are meeting state standards as well as district goals. There are some great successes; there is also a pervasive achievement gap in nearly every school in the district.

The purpose is to help provide SPS with feedback on how we think our schools are doing and what steps the district and community should be taking to best support students. Your region's executive director for schools and your regions school principals will be attending. Seattle Public Schools is looking to refresh the Strategic Plan and will need to make tough budget cuts for next year. Now is the time to weigh in.

Central schools include: Franklin HS, Garfield HS, Nova HS-Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center-McClure MS, Washington MS-Blaine K-8, Madrona K-8, John Hay, John Muir, Lawton, Leschi, Lowell, McGilvra, Montlake, Queen Anne, Stevens, and Thurgood Marshall Coe, Gatzert, elementary schools

http://www.seattleschools.org/area/strategicplan/districtscorecard.pdf

Garfield in the News

2010-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Amy Hagopian & Kathy Barker have published a paper in the American Journal of Public Health based on the leadership shown by the Garfield PTSA, (beginning in 2005 with Amy and Kathy taking the lead) in resisting military recruitment. It is an indication that the scientific community has accepted the premise that military recruitment in public schools could pose a threat to public health. The paper features the Garfield experience prominently. A PDF of the full article is linked here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT for the paper

Recruiters for the various US armed forces have free access to our nation's high schools, as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. Military recruiter behaviors are disturbingly similar to predatory grooming.

Adults in the active military service are reported to experience increased mental health risks, including stress, substance abuse, and suicide, and the youngest soldiers consistently show the worst health effects, suggesting military service is associated with disproportionately poor health for this population.

We describe the actions of a high school parent teacher student association in Seattle, Washington, which sought to limit the aggressive recruitment of children younger than 18 years into the military.

(Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print November 18, 2010: e6–e10. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.183418) (PDF of the article is linked here.)

Full House: Garfield Matters and You Care

2010-11-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

First a Few Resolutions
Following school board meetings on the redistricting and overenrollment issue, the Garfield PTSA unanimously passed the following resolutions.

"1. Cap enrollment at capacity (maximum 1650). Do not increase capacity at Garfield High School without thorough strategic planning which includes Garfield High School leadership.

2. Any change to student assignment plan should maintain the current diversity of Garfield High School.

3. APP anchors academic offerings that benefit Garfield High School. The cohort of APP students per grade level should be maintained at 25%."

News that Seattle Police Dept is considering reassigning Officer Bernie Radford out of Garfield, with no replacement...the PTSA also passed the following resolution:

"The Garfield High School PTSA board believes that it is imperative, in light of his demonstrated improvement of the safety and security of students and staff, including the school and the surrounding community, that we retain Officer Radford as a dedicated officer assigned to our school." Concerned parents should contact the East Precinct Non-Emergency Number - (206) 625-5011.

PTSA Meeting Monday 11/ 22 "State of the School"
The PTSA hosts its second general meeting of the year on Monday, November 22, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the commons.
Three outstanding student groups will describe their activities -- ASB - Associated Student Body, SAVE - Students Against Violence Everywhere, and CORE - Congress of Racial Equality.
Principal Ted Howard will describe the State of the School and take questions.
School Board Director Kay Smith-Blum will provide an update of how upcoming School Board and School District decisions could affect Garfield and will take questions.
We hope you can make it!
Jayn Foy and David Foutch, PTSA Co-presidents

Share: Garfield Holiday Fund

Holiday Fund: The PTSA, in conjunction with the Counseling Office, is collecting donations for the "Holiday Fund" The purpose of this fund is to assist families during this season. It is particularly critical with this year's continued economic downturn. Checks should be made payable to Garfield PTSA and "Holiday Fund" should be written on the memo line. A "PTSA Holiday Fund Envelope" is in the Garfield Main Office. Thanks in advance for you contribution to assist families in the Garfield community! Posted by: "Courtney, Kenneth" kcourtney@seattleschools.org

Mark Your Calendars Now

PTSA Meetings of Import and a Chance to Help

2010-11-14T16:14:00.000-08:00

District-hosted meeting on the student assignment plan and over-enrollment. Monday, Nov 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at school. We'll hear why Garfield is overenrolled this year, what options are being considered, then have a chance to offer solutions and provide feedback. It's importand that we have a good turnout for this. More info:

http://ghs.seattleschools.org/documents/Assignment%20Plan%20at%20GHS%2011-15-2010.pdf

Kick off meeting for the all-school auction. Tuesday, Nov 16, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, 733 17th Ave E. (Ann Bergman's house, one block from St. Joe's). The whole team gets together, has fun and makes huge progess on this important fundraiser.

School Board Meeting. Wednesday, Nov 17, Public testimony 6:00 - 7:00 pm. We need to keep the enrollment issue in front of the school board. Signinug up to speak for 3 minutes is easy, but has to be done right at 8:00 am on Monday. Here's how: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/publictestimony.pdf

"Drop-In" session on changing the assignment plan with district staff. Nov 18, 1:30 - 3:30, John Stanford Center, Room 2700. We need some participation here. It will be a smaller forum and a more direct way to commuicate with the district staff. From the SPS website, it's purpose is to "provide a more informal opportunity for families to review information, ask questions and provide feedback."

http://www.seattleschools.org/area/news/1011/20101026_NSAP_Regional_Meetings.pdf

PTSA General Meeting. Monday, Nov 22, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the commons. Ted Howard on "State of the School," plus introductions to three student groups: ASB, CORE, SAVE. Translation provided. Please attend and encourage your friends to attend, too.

Thanks, PTSA CoChair David Foutch

A Garfield Alumni family forwarded this note so I'll pass it along to GHS TRACKS readers:

Would you like to rekindle the hope of a teenager who has fled abuse, neglect, or abandonment in his/her native land? The Refugee and Immigrant Children’s Program at Lutheran Community Services NW is looking for foster parents for these brave youth. If you live in King/Snohomish County, you could become a long- or short-term foster care provider with our program. Recently, the need has been greatest for foster parents who speak Spanish and English. We provide training and the support of a dedicated team of social workers. A monthly stipend covers the youths’ expenses. Would you - or a friend or a colleague of yours - like to learn more about this unique opportunity? If you have any questions or to sign up for an “Info Night” (433 Minor Ave N, Seattle 98109), please contact Erika Berg at eberg@lcsnw.org or (206) 694-5780 or visit www.refugeechildren.net

"Info Night" takes place the second Monday of each month.

Thanks so much, former GHS parent Ann Hedreen
Ann Hedreen & Rustin Thompson www.whitenoiseproductions.com 206-723-8228

Meeting Friends (and Others) Online and Face to Face

2010-11-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday concerned parents, students and community members gathered at Garfield addressing the issues of internet safety, cyber-bullying and the physical and emotional safety of students at Garfield.

Stefanie Thomas, the victim advocate on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the Seattle Police Department spoke about "getting the full picture of what's going on here." Remember, kids (and adults) online lives are far more complex and vulnerable to unexpected and unwanted consequences. Websites should not be used as diaries! "Hah!" Stefani reminded the audience, "Online nothing is private." and "Ask how far into the future are teens imagining the consequences of their online communication?" Consider the recent spate of suicides resulting from online harassment, or the practice of "sexting" wherein sending and receiveing photos of suggestive or graphic images can be prosecuted on Federal felony charges relating to child pornography. Got the message?

Questions and concern, information and advice, safety and responsibility continued in the Thursday evening conversation as panel members including students from S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere) club at Garfield, Officer Bernie Radford and Principal Ted Howard broadened the conversation to consider the relationship between cyber-bulling and flesh-and-blood bullying at Garfield. Many panelists weighed in on concerns of how hazing and bullying play out in student lives.

Make the time to frequently to review your student's Facebook, Myspace, etc habits and postings.

Anonymous messaging like Facebook's "Honesty Box," or "formspring.me" allow nothing but anxiety and woe down blind alleys in cyberspace.

Try tools like http://youropenbook.org/ which points to flaws in the Facebook infoscape .

Consider http://www.reclaimprivacy.org/ suggestions of concrete steps you can take to correct unwanted lapses in privacy settings.

Read articles like http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/09/17/how-to-protect-your-childs-privacy-online/, and browse websites like http://www.cyberbully.org/ or the official http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/cyber-bullying.aspx,

Bottom line? Whenever there's a problem or concern, seek advice from trusted adults, school staff, or community advocates like Stefani Thomas and Officer Radford. Discrete, face-to face-communication still works wonders. At one point, Ted Howard helped steer the conversation back to his confidence in students taking responsibility for the solution, saying "The bottom line is this, students have to decide what they're going to do."
As indeed they will! Student leaders from S.A.V.E. and C.O.R.E. held an after-school forum last Thursday afternoon after school that was attended approx. 80 students. The Garfield Messenger had their reporter at the adult forum that evening. Later in correspondence, Ted confirmed that GHS student leadership will continue to work with Administration and student body to address the issue school-wide. there remains just leaves one essential question: "So, what are you going to do?"

PARENTS: Don't forget to access important announcements, articles and calendar links in the November BARK, now online. It's an important tool in our information toolbox of parenting 2.0.

and
Seattle School Board member Kay Smith-Blum will hold two additional community forums in early November that touch on issues of importance for Garfield parents:

Regional meeting (State of the District) around test scores, budget and assignment issues by Supt. At Mercer Middle School, 6pm –7:30, Nov. 9th, and
Douglas Truth Library (23rd and Yesler) on Nov 13th, 10 a.m. To 11:30 a.m. – will have athletic folks with me around the GHS football issues.

Stray Bullets - The Garfield Messenger

2010-10-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

A "Focus" piece in the current Garfield Messenger impressed me with it's journalism and artwork, and is an example of the sort of student work that deserves wide recognition and support. Stray Bullets - The Garfield Messenger is the link. Let this also be a reminder for parents to consider a supportive subscription to the paper which will bring a print edition to your mailbox, crisp and un-rumpled and by lunch or backpack mishandling. For those determined to read online only, http://www.garfieldmessenger.com/ also includes a donate now button to allow you to show your support.

And just a reminder for this Thursday's "Teens and Harassment, On and Off Screen" forum is this Thursday, Oct 28th 7-8:30 PM in the Commons. Come learn about the legal consequences and real life problems that are associated with community related harassment and cyber bullying. We will also discuss how we can encourage our teens to be more respectful of the neighborhood surrounding the school. Parent participation is encouraged! For more info: contact Holly Morris Jacobson, 206 769 7185, holly@voteraction.org

Your Teen: on and off screen

2010-10-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

The unfortunate spate of teen suicides related by cyber-bullying underscore the importance of staying informed and alert.

*NEW* October 28th- Parent forum on cyber bullying and harassment with special guests

Your Teenager and Harassment; On and off screen. Know the law, learn what's happening and how it could affect your family.

Come learn about the legal consequences and real life problems that are associated with community related harassment and cyber bullying. We will also discuss how we can encourage our teens to be more respectful of the neighborhood surrounding the school. Parent participation is encouraged!

October 28th, 7-8:30 PM, Garfield Commons,

Guest speaker Panel

1. Stefanie M. Thomas, Victim Advocate - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for the

Seattle Police Department

2.        Principal Ted Howard
3.        Peggy McEvoy, Safety and Security for Seattle School District
4.        Teen Mental Health Counselor Rosie Moore
5.        Officer Bennie Radford
6.        and a panel of Garfield students

You might also want to check out a short simple article on the topic from eSchoolNews, review the Seattle Public Schools Middle School (anti) Cyberbulling curriculum and Prevention-Intervention Resources links .

Stranger editor Dan Savage's response and "It Gets Better" youtube channel has created a great deal of constructive conversation to help address particular challenges of LGBTQ youth.

Extra Efforts Support Excellence at Garfield

2010-10-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Given the Herculean efforts that counselors, administrators and teachers have made this fall in responding to the over-enrollment, it's time for parents to make an extra effort to express our appreciation.

The next Teacher/Staff Appreciation event will be a light breakfast (coffee, breads and pastries) at 7am on Wednesday, October 13th. That is the morning that 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT.
Please contact Susan Barkan at barkas@uw.edu if you are able to provide fruit, juice, jam, spreads, other light breakfast fare and/or help setup (6:30-7:00 am), serve (7:00-8:00 am) or clean-up (8:00-9:00 am).

While you're at it, go ahead and mark your calendars for the other teacher appreciation dates for this school year: December 15, Wednesday – 7am (Holiday Breakfast) May 4, Wednesday – 7am (Staff/Teacher Appreciation Breakfast) and June 22, Wednesday – 12Noon (End of year Luncheon)
Thank you! PTSA Teacher Appreciation Event Co-Chairs: Susan Barkan barkas@uw.edu; Lisa McNelis lisa@mcnelisarchitects.com; and Cindy Osborn cindyplusbill@juno.com

Looking for another way to "say thanks?" Consider taking time and help hardworking faculty apply for a PTSA Small Grant, to provide additional funds for a teacher's project. The Fall deadline is just past, so you have plenty of time to initiate an appreciative inquiry via faculty email and help these PTSA funds go to well-deserving projects.

WEDNESDAY Oct 13th is also the PSAT day for all Sophomores and Juniors from 8:00 - 11:00 am. Freshmen and Seniors have late arrival, 11:00.

On Thursday Oct 14th, the Portland Trail Blazers will hold an intra-squad scrimmage at Garfield High School – the alma mater of Trail Blazers all-star guard Brandon Roy – in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday, October 14, the team announced today. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. tip-off. Tickets will be $5 each and go on sale Monday morning, exclusively in-person at the Garfield High School activities center. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Garfield High School Foundation. Together, Roy and the Trail Blazers will match the ticket proceeds with a $10,000 donation to the foundation. Roy attended Garfield from 1998 – 2002, averaged 22.3 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Bulldogs as a senior, and was a two-time KingCo Conference Most Valuable Player (2001, 2002). (Got that, Tony?)

October Issues to Keep in Mind this Week

2010-10-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

The October issue of the Bark was posted on the Garfield website last week, under "PTSA." Unfortunately, it may take a while for this issue to arrive in your mailbox. You can always find the Bark on the website, usually just before the first of the month. If you would no longer like to receive hard copies in the mail, please email your name and address to zongora@gmail.com. BIG THANKS to Mark Linsey (September BARK) and Maria Bruzas-Zinkus (October BARK ) for designing such beautiful layouts! The deadline for the November issue is October 15. Teresa Nemeth, Bark editor. 325-8320.

Homecoming Week brings variously spirited dress and behavior this coming week, culminating in Purple and White Day Thursday, with an assembly in the afternoon and dance in the evening at The Cirque Event Center 9:00PM –Midnight. Between assembly and dance is the time when the "froshing" tradition raises its twice-yearly challenge to say YES to social bonding and NO TO INAPPROPRIATE ANS UNSAFE HAZING. As parents it is important to go over the Thursday after-school plans and family expectations for behavior. Friday evening is the traditional homecoming football game GHS vs Ballard @ Memorial Stadium – 5:00 PM

Two petitions from the PTSA to the Seattle School board address the issues of enrollment stability and support for the exemplary science courses offered at Garfield. Both are available online to print then email to PTSA co-president David Foutch .

Tuesday October 5th there is an open education-reform panel discussion from 7-8:30. The panel discussion on "Race to Where?" sponsored by SeattleEducation2010 will discuss educational reform initiatives on national and local levels with author Diane Ravitch (author of Death and Life of the Great American School System) , Wayne Au of "Rethinking Schools" , GHS teacher Jesse Hagopian, and SeattleEducation2010 bloggers Sue Peters and Dora Taylor. It happens at Pigott Auditorium at Seattle University, from 7-8:30 PM.

Thursday, October 7th there is a public event kicking off the Voices from the Education Revolution Series. More Important Than Basketball: Kevin Johnson's Mission to Prepare All Kids for College at 7 p.m. Mount Zion Baptist Church 1634 19th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. More info.

-Posting by Craig Seasholes

Curriculum Night, Plus

2010-09-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday Sept 30th evening is Curriculum Night.

It starts at 5pm – 6pm with “Garfield Counselor Grade Level Workshops:”

9th Grade Meet – in the Gym,

10th Grade– in the Auditorium- QJ Theatre,

11th Grade– the Band Room (rm. 219),

12th Grade Meet - in Black Box Theater (rm. 120 in the Q)

followed by time for Question & Answers with Counselors in the Commons

Also you can also grab a book and catch a bite to lend support to two great programs at Garfield.

6pm – 6:30pm there is a spaghetti dinner in the commons benefiting the Sports Boosters Club.

A library book fair taking also place all day and evening in the library.

The Garfield Curriculum Night –starts in the Gym at 6:30 for introductions from administrators then sends parents to meet teachers in their students classroom according to a 10 minute bell schedule until 8:30. Parents should get a copy of their student's schedules and make haste!

In response to parent and staff concern expressed recently, two PTSA petitions will be circulated directed to the Seattle School Board. Please take a moment to consider lending your support.

The first petition concerns the enrollment issue and would state:

"The undersigned urge Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle School Board to adjust the student assignment plan so that the capacity for Garfield is not exceeded, so that the diversity of the student body is maintained, and so that the APP program remains at Garfield."

The second petition concerns Garfield's science programs and how the district's standard curriculum may mean that Marine Science, Genetics and Ecology would have to be taken in addition to core science classes such as Biology, Physical Science and Chemistry. The petition would state:

"The undersigned highly value the Marine Science, Genetics and Ecology courses offered by the Garfield Science Department. Students in these courses are highly engaged in learning because of the subject matter and the excellent teaching. We ask that these courses continue to count toward the required science credits. If these courses are no longer recognized by the district, it will discourage students from taking these outstanding classes, and reduce the vibrancy of the Garfield Science Department."

PTSA Meeting Synopsis and Student Assignment Plan/Enrollment Feedback

2010-09-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

The PTSA meeting on Monday the 20th was a lively example of parent interest and feedback at Garfield.
Several points heard at the "Navigating Garfield" bear repeating:

Use the Source(assignments and grades), the Daily Bulletin(school events) and calendar on the GHS website, GarfieldNotes(info, events,requests for help) and this blog are ways to get/stay connected.
Teacher and counselling office email contact works to help students and parents stay on track. Use it!
Students who get involved in clubs and activities find more ways to find a niche at GHS. If parents have questions, Jim Valiere and Maria Medina in Activity and Athletics office have the answers.
SPD Officer Benny Radford is on-campus and accessible to students and parents. He repeated that his his voice mail is available for any safety or security concerns/suggestions/tips (206) 684-4353.
"Froshing," remains a concern of freshman students and parents alike. Thursday October 1st is "Spirit Day" when hazing on students is most likely to occur. Parents and students can and should make plans to avoid unwanted harassment, and the school's efforts unambiguous policy against froshing have served to undermine this unfortunate social tradition.
The PTSA sponsored after-school study center is available M-Th in the library. Staffed by Gretchen Wilkinson, it is useful to students for homework, study, online access, and printing of assignments.
The fall Open House is Thursday Sept. 30th, gathering at 5:00 in the commons for informative presentation followed at 6:30 with rotating visits to each or your student's classes to meet the teacher.

And yes there were many questions and concerns about the over-enrollment/class assignment situation. The counselling office has worked tirelessly on filling schedules while principal Ted Howard has been filling additional faculty positions. Kudos are due to their efforts...and issues remain. Speak up and be heard.

At the meeting, parents also met and heard from Nancy Coogan, Seattle School District's new Executive Director for Schools for the district's Central Region. Her oversight responsibilities include Garfield, and Franklin, NOVA, SBOC high schools; McClure, Washington, Blaine Middle Schools; Madrona K-8; CoeNS, Gatzert, Hay NB, Muir, Lawton NB, Leschi, Lowell, McGilvra NS , Montlake, Queen Anne, Stevens NB and Thurgood Marshall Elementary schools. That Nancy has spent so much time at Garfield these past weeks is evidence of both the problems caused by increased enrollment at Garfield, the new student assignment plan and the district's efforts to solve them. The district's student assignment plan, outlined on the district website, includes this feedback process, and is copied below:

You can find summaries of community comments related to the new student assignment plan by visiting our archive section. We welcome also your comments via:

E-Mail. Send your comment to newassign@seattleschools.org
Postal Mail. Send your comment to:Seattle School BoardPO Box 34165
MS 11-010 Seattle, WA 98124-1165

Finally, as previously posted, Seattle School Board director Kay Smith-Blum, Tracy Libros (head of planning and enrollment) and Nancy Coogan are holding a community meeting this Saturday Sept 25th at the Douglass-Truth library, at 10 AM. It promises to provide another chance to give feedback and input to the district.

-posting by Craig Seasholes, for GHSTRACKS

Make Time to Make Garfield Work for You

2010-09-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Garfield Community,
Please join us Monday September 20th for the first PTSA General Meeting, in the commons (located right inside the main doors) beginning at 7pm. It will consist of a panel discussion titled "Navigating Garfield for Parents". Possible topics are highlights of Garfield, pitfalls for students, parenting tips for teens, and safety at Garfield. We will have interpreters for our Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Ethiopian parents. Hope to see you, - David Foutch and Jayn Foy (PTSA co-presidents)

Seattle School Board member Kay Smith-Blum is making time to join GHS parents Monday night, and again in her community meeting at D. Truth Library – 23rd and Yesler – on Sat, 25th Sept, 10 am. Also joining her from the school district will be Tracy Libros (head of planning and enrollment) and Nancy Coogan (Executive Director of Schools).

Mention of the upcoming community meeting can be found on the SaveSeattleSchools community blog, another blog that makes interesting reading for those keen on schools in Seattle.

With the start of school this year, enrollment at Garfield has certainly been one topic of keen interest and concern to many of our parents. Numerous parents have been writing and speaking about the topic. Danny Westneat covered it recently for the Seattle Times. With any large and vibrant community there are any number of questions which deserve attention at the PTSA meeting...and maybe you have one? I'll see you there Monday night!- Craig Seasholes (GHStracks blogger and parent)

September eBark Part 2

2010-09-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

Several important announcements from the September Bark were left out of the previous posting for brevity's sake, now posted below.

What’s Happening at Garfield?

Check the all school calendar on the school website and consult the daily bulletin for late-breaking news. Parents may variously want to link to the The Garfield PTSA Calender, athletic schedules , jazz calendar, orchestra calendar, or theater calendar. (Do you get a sense the profusion of Garfield Activity websites? GHS Tracks Blog hopes to help you navigate to the information you need. )

Seattle School Board
Kay Smith-Blum will convene a series of community meetings at the Douglas Truth Library meeting room, on Saturday, Sept.25th and November 13th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Read Right
Better Vision = Better Reading! The Read Right Program is working with the Rotary Club to obtain free eye exams and glasses for students who need them. First semester screening takes place on September 29, 2010. Follow-up appointments are scheduled on Tuesday afternoons between October 19 and December 6. We need parent volunteers to drive up to three students to and from the appointments located in the Medical Dental Building downtown. The students leave from school at 2:45. If you're interested in helping out with this awesome project and want to learn more, please email or call Vangie at: vangie.peaslee@gmail.com or (206) 550-1328.
Additional Opportunity with Read Right

Read Right is a highly effective program helping students who struggle with reading reach grade level proficiency very quickly. Every Friday, parent and community volunteers run small critical thinking groups discussing reading passages and guide teenagers to think critically about texts.

If you have one to three hours available on Fridays, if you want to contribute to changing a student's school career, if you revel in seeing growth in young people over time, and if you can handle the rambunctious behavior of adolescents THIS IS FOR YOU. You will receive training, camaraderie, and the knowledge that you have contributed to changing lives. Email Mallory Clarke at maclarke@seattleschool.org

Nurse’s Notes by Chris Cordell,

I am delighted to be full time at Garfield for ’10–’11. I look forward to working with you and your student to manage any acute or ongoing health concerns. Although I am a school district employee, I share space with the Teen Health Center. I am located across from the main office...I want all our students to have a healthy and safe year. Please see me if you have questions or concerns, or if you just want to say hi! I am delighted to be back! Chris Cordell, RN, MA, NCSN 206-252-2277 A full copy of Chris' Back-to-School notes are linked online here .

Fall Sports Preview by Jim Valiere

We welcome some new coaches this fall season. Quauthli Martinez is our head girls’ soccer coach and Jake Putnam is our new volleyball coach. Both bring a wealth of experience, passion for their sports, outstanding assistant coaches, and fresh perspectives for our programs. We are grateful to have a cadre of coaches at Garfield committed to creating positive extracurricular experiences for our students.

Our football team has a new look and a new attitude, and we are very excited about the upcoming season.
The Garfield Sports Boosters are planning the annual raffle. Tickets are $10 and the grand prize is $1,000, second prize $500, and third prize $250. The raffle sales will culminate with an adult Old School Dance in October (date, time, and place to be announced soon), and at that FUNdraiser we will draw the names of the raffle winners. This fundraiser is very important to the viability of our GHS athletics program. The Sports Boosters will also sponsor the spaghetti dinner on Curriculum Night.

Complete schedules for all teams can be found on our GHS website under “Sports” by clicking on League Minder then following the prompts.

Interested in hosting foreign students attending Garfield?

Ergon, an Italian Student Exchange organization and a partner of Northwest Student Exchange is seeking host families at Garfield. (While there is no central coordination of exchange students at Garfield, curious families might refer to Leanne Hust in the Counseling and Career Center office for more current information. GHS students interested in foreign study will also find program resources in the Career Center files. )

Join the Garfield PTSA and be part of something great.

Start the school year out right by joining the Garfield PTSA or renewing your membership. As a group we support vital programs—such as small grants to teachers, field trip scholarships, Read Right, Cultural Relations, and teacher-appreciation events. We also help you connect more easily with the Garfield community. By joining you also help increase the influence Garfield has within the Seattle and statewide PTSA to advocate for issues that impact our students. Complete and return the membership forms in the first-day packets, or simply use the information below to join immediately. We have membership scholarships available—so join now.
Questions? Contact Molly Seaverns, 937-9520, or Celia Brown, 723-1490, .
NAME __________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP _________________________________

PHONE ________________________________________

STUDENT(S) ____________________________________
EMAIL _________________________________________
Mail check/money order (payable to GHS PTSA) or Visa/MasterCard info to: PTSA Membership, Garfield High School, 400 23^rdAve. Seattle, WA 98122
Membership Levels:
$26 Family (2 adults + all GHS students)

$16 Individual

$8 Student/Faculty/Low Income
$50 Gold Membership—pay for your own household membership and sponsor another Bulldog family!

2010-2011 PTSA board members at the annual retreat, June 5, 2010

September Bark Articles

2010-08-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

eBark Articles for September

Dear Garfield Families -Principal Ted Howard
Notes from the Counseling Office- Ken Courtney
All About Testing - Gretchen Wilkinson
Legislative Issues: Hot! -Janis Traven
Library and Tech Update -Janet Woodward
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) -Holly Jacobson
College Access Now Is Recruiting Qualified Juniors -Greg Abbott
Senior Families: Sign Up for Email List - Holly Morris Jacobson
Garfield PTSA Calendar, 2010–2011

Dear Garfield Families,
   Welcome back! We are so excited to begin this school year! Our custodial staff and our teachers have been working all summer to prepare the school for your arrival. Rooms are clean and floors are polished, waiting for students. I am confident we have strategically positioned our school to achieve tremendous success this school year. Without question, we will face many new challenges in our pursuit to be a school of excellence; however, I believe we possess all the necessary ingredients to overcome any obstacles and attain our goal of student success.
   Let’s make this school year a year of many successes and great results. If at any time you wish to have a conference with your child’s teacher or teachers, please don’t hesitate to call us at (206) 252-2270. I look forward to meeting you and working together to support the students here at Garfield High School.

Sincerely,
Ted Howard

Notes from the Counseling Office  By Ken Courtney

Welcome to the start of a new year. A key for success is communication. The Bark continues to be a great resource, as well as Garfield Notes, Tracks (get signed up with the PTSA), and the Daily Bulletin (available online at the Garfield website—www.ghs.seattleschools.org). The Source is also a great way to communicate with your student’s teacher (there is a link to teacher emails!) and to stay up on their progress.

The start-of-school packet contains some very important papers. Please read them carefully. Verify that your phone numbers (home, work, and cell!) are correct, and add your email if you haven’t already! This will make sure that you get school mailings and will help school staff keep you informed of your student’s progress.

All students should have Naviance accounts (the 9th graders will be added soon and will receive their orientation). If a correct email is used, we are able to send out mass emails to students notifying them of important dates and issues. Please remind them to update their account!

Each year we have students who miss out on benefits because they do not fill out the Free Lunch Form completely—it’s not only about food! Be sure that you sign up for these benefits by checking all the boxes and signing the front of the form. This puts your student’s name on a list to receive free college tests and admission waivers, as well as class fee waivers and much more!

Seniors: The counselors will be meeting individually with their seniors regarding graduation and post–high school plans. This often involves the letter of recommendation and college application process. Make sure that your senior does this important senior meeting beginning the third week of September!

October 1 is the deadline to request a letter of recommendation for your Early Decision/Early Action schools. December 1 is the deadline for letter of recommendation forms to be presented to counselors for regular applications in early to mid-January. Please be conscious of these deadlines. The scholarship profile is also due on October 1 to be considered for several of the select scholarships. Submitting a late scholarship profile may mean missed scholarship opportunities.

All Grade Levels: Here’s one more reminder to mark your calendar for Curriculum Night, September 30. Counselors will be available at 5 pm to meet with grade levels in designated areas. Please follow the directions on signs.

Grade Changes, PE Waivers, and Occupational Education Waivers: The deadline for grade changes is in early October. Please verify that your PE waivers from last year’s spring sports have been processed by checking your academic history. The deadline for last-semester PE waivers and occupational education waivers is October 1. The next deadlines are in March, so plan ahead!

Progress Reports and End of First Quarter: To assist you in monitoring your student’s progress, progress reports and report cards are mailed out every 5 weeks. The first 5-week progress reports will be mailed shortly after October 15, and the first-quarter report cards will be mailed shortly after November 15. Please check the Source for additional updates on your student’s progress. You may also request that your student pick up a progress report in the counseling office to hand carry to any or all of their teachers, at any time you want!

Reminder: Go to the GHS website for the Daily Bulletin Keep informed! Have a GREAT year!

Counseling Office Contact Information:

Nicole Petty, secretary 252-2304

Fax 252-2412

Office Hours: 7:30–3:00 on school days.

Grade 9 / College and Career Center manager:

Leanne Hust 252-2364 lkhust@seattleschools.org

Grades 10–12:

A–Ha Sam Labi 252-2365 slabi@seattleschools.org

He–O Ray Willis 252-2367 rewillis@seattleschools.org

P–Z Ken Courtney 252-2366 kcourtney@seattleschools.org

Academic Intervention Specialist

Gretchen Wilkinson 252-2362 gawilkinson@seattleschools.org

All About Testing By Gretchen Wilkinson, Garfield academic intervention specialist

What’s New with State Testing?

The name stayed the same—the HSPE, or High School Proficiency Exam. Thank goodness for small favors. However, there’s lots that IS new this year, especially for sophomores and freshmen (classes of 2013 and 2014).

Classes of 2011 and 2012

ü Must pass Reading, Writing, and Math.

ü Math alternative of 2.0 credits after 10th-grade year accepted as alternative.

ü Cut scores on ACT and SAT accepted as alternative for passing for Reading, Writing, and Math after taking and not passing the HSPE.

ü Collection of Evidence (COE)—this is the creation of a portfolio of work and is available for Reading and Writing. For seniors, the COE is due in January 2011; for juniors, the COE is due in June 2011. Submission does not guarantee passing. This becomes available as an option after taking and not passing the HSPE tests.

Classes of 2013 and 2014

Ø Must pass Reading, Writing, Math, and Science. THIS IS NEW!

Ø The Math 2.0 credits after 10th-grade year NO LONGER IS ALLOWED.

Ø The Math test is now called “End of Course,” or EOC. Students must pass both Algebra 1 EOC and Geometry EOC to graduate. The testing will happen sometime (TBD) in the last 3 weeks before the end of school. Tests will be taken in each student’s math class over 3 days. Results will arrive sometime in September or October. Since this year is the first year for this change, there are many unanswered questions. Keep reading the Bark, and I will share the details as I learn them. The most important thing to keep in mind: passing these end-of-course tests is a graduation requirement.

Ø Passing the Science test is now a graduation requirement. THIS IS NEW!

Ø ACT and SAT will remain as an alternative way to pass (after taking and not passing both Algebra 1 and Geometry tests or taking and not passing Reading and/or Writing).

DATES TO SAVE!

Please write these down, and don’t schedule doctor, dentist, or any other type of appointment that requires your child to miss school. Missing these test days will make it more difficult for your child to satisfy this graduation requirement.

Writing March 15, 16, 17 (yes, this has also changed to 3 days of testing)

Reading March 22

Science April 12

Math TBD but must happen in the last 3 weeks of school

All of the above dates are set by the state and are mandatory. The next test time is in August 2011.

Questions? Contact me at gawilkinson@seattleschools.org or 252-2362.

MAP, or Measurement of Academic Progress

What is this? A district-mandated assessment for all 9th- and 10th-grade students two times a year. Actually, it is now happening K–10, as of this year.

How is it scored? It’s a computer test using multiple-choice questions for Reading and Math. The score is computed instantly. It’s an adaptive test, so it adjusts to each student’s ability to answer questions correctly. Thus, it “adapts” to the appropriate level of questions, allowing each student’s skill level to be quantified. The result is a number, called a RIT score.

What will this

tell me? It can potentially tell you where your child needs extra support in Reading and Math. Each subject is broken down into elements that comprise the building blocks for success. Because the assessment is given in early October and then again in May, you will now have a quantitative way to answer the question, Has my child advanced his/her learning in reading and math?

Be forewarned Some students will see their scores go down. Last year was the first year Garfield was required to give this assessment, and it was only given to 9th graders. Many of the students showed little or no change. This can be discouraging for students. Parents can step in with positive encouragement. Remind your children that this is one assessment, not a statement of who they are and what they can accomplish. It’s a one-day snapshot. Ask them the #1 and #2 questions below.

Why? Here are the factors to consider:

1 Did the student take it seriously? Some students have difficulty sitting at a computer for over an hour taking a multiple-choice test that is not connected to any class or grade. It’s a new mind-set for them to be able to see quantitatively how they might be learning in these two areas.

2 Were they feeling ill that day, or were they overly tired, or were they distracted? All of these elements can affect the outcome.

3 The amount of growth anticipated statistically on this assessment is very small—sometimes 1 or 3 points on the RIT scale. As your children get older, they learn at a different pace than 2nd graders. They are now refining and solidifying what they have learned, combined with new subject information. This is the critical-thinking part of learning, the making of connections between subjects. Thinking is more difficult to quantify, thus the RIT scale for growth is smaller.

How will I learn

my child’s score? Ask your child. There won’t be a mailing. At this point, the most efficient (and yes, we hear you about stuff not getting home) way to pass this along to you is via your child. They will be setting their own learning goals for the year based on their October scores. ASK THEM. Please.

The district is working on making the scores more accessible, possibly on the Source. They may decide to do a mailing. Stay tuned as this evolves.

10th and 11th Graders, Save the Date: October 13, PSAT

That day, all 9th and 12th graders have late arrival. Test results will arrive by January, just after Winter Break. Encourage your child to pick them up. The results break down how students did on individual questions, and it’s a great way to see how your child will do on the national SAT tests. The 11th graders’ scores will enter them into the running for National Merit Scholar, which can be a boost on college applications.

Legislative Issues: Hot! By Janis Traven

Hello all, and welcome back from what I hope was a refreshing summer. I’m your legislative chair, Janis Traven (mom of junior Harrison Linsey), and my role is to represent you at the State PTA Legislative Assembly in October. Before, during, and after that time, I’ll keep you informed on what legislative issues and elections affect Garfield, and I’ll provide you with the information and tools to become grassroots activists.

If you think that following legislative issues regarding education is yawn inducing, think again. This is some of the hottest action around—and you and your students get to make a huge difference in the outcome.

While the past legislative session produced progress in education reform, it was not significant enough for the state to be a contender for Race to the Top funding. There will be ongoing challenges to maintaining the current funding for education.

I know, however, that continuing presence of PTA parents in legislative offices (Parent Power) makes a huge difference in Olympia. I encourage you to write, call, email, or visit your elected officials and let them what you think. Often.

More on the State PTA Legislative Assembly in the next issue. Until then, feel free to contact me at 285-7375 or janistraven@comcast.net.

Library and Tech Update - Janet Woodward, GHS librarian

Welcome back, families! The library looks forward to another busy year supporting the school community with its resource, information, and reading needs. We anticipate helping new students get their computer accounts and orienting them to all our services. Check out the library section of the school website to learn more about our services.

In addition, the library will be working with the photography classes on the Qwest grant that was awarded to document the Central Area, and with history and LA classes involved with other grants from the American Library Association, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Washington State Library. More on those initiatives as they get under way in the fall.

As the sole supervisor of a multifaceted facility, I could use some assistance in clerical tasks with materials and other organizational activities. Also, there is an opportunity to contribute content to the school website if you help manage a sports team or school club. Many wonderful parents and guardians have contributed each year in all these areas, and their help has made a real difference. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me at jwoodward@seattleschools.org or 252-2359.

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Club Reborn at Garfield High School By Holly Jacobson

In 2009 some Garfield '11 students got together to reinstate Students Against Violence Everywhere, a student-led club that had a history at Garfield and throughout the region but dissipated when its parent organization was retired. Fueled by a desire to take positive action to help curb the rise of youth violence and create a dialog about how students could create positive change in the community, SAVE took the school year to reinvent itself.

SAVE is focused on three areas of activity to achieve its goals:

1) Giving students a voice in creating solutions in the community to combat violence

2) Creating a dialog through forums for students and the community

3) Developing a mentor program for students to provide positive guidance by their peers

The initial response was powerful. Within one day of the students posting a group on Facebook, over 200 fellow students signed up. Regular meetings were held, and by the end of the school year, SAVE had promoted some forums for students to discuss issues relevant to their own experiences and observations. Forum topics included “Oppression Through Words,” which led to a discussion of the power of how students communicate with each other.

The SAVE kids participated in community forums sponsored by the mayor and other organizations to provide a youth's perspective particularly concerned with curbing and addressing youth violence. By June the students had also developed from scratch a weekly summer peer-to-peer mentoring program called SAVE Summer, partnering Garfield High School upperclassmen with incoming ninth graders to meet once a week over the summer for activities and guidance on making positive choices in high school. The Garfield Community Center provided the space, and the kids procured in-kind donations for food and organized all activities and discussions on topics of nonviolence.

In the fall the program will shift to one-on-one mentoring to continue to provide guidance throughout freshman year and to sustain the growth of the program, thereby encouraging leadership development in SAVE and the community. Additionally, they will be taking on about a dozen more eighth graders as mentees. SAVE kids will also be developing a weekly movie night and discussion group at a local coffee shop, open to the community.

Earlier this year, after a brief presentation by some of the SAVE kids, the organization was officially adopted as a sponsored project of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, providing an opportunity to keep the program sustainable and strong.

SAVE seems to represent the best of Garfield. Garfield kids care about their community, they take initiative, and they have fun during the process. They put tremendous energy, creativity, and spirit into all that they do. They believe in the idea of possibility. Watching these kids at work, becoming leaders and developing even more leadership opportunities for other kids, certainly gives this parent a sense of great hope for the future.

SAVE's staff adviser is Samuel Labi. The parent adviser is Holly Jacobson (holly@voteraction.org). For more information, contact SAVE at saveseattle@gmail.com.

College Access Now Is Recruiting Qualified Juniors Who Want to Go to College! -By Greg Abbott

If your student is an incoming junior, would like to attend college, has at least a 2.0 grade average, and qualifies for free or reduced-price student lunch, then College Access Now (CAN) is the program for you and your student. With the start of the new academic year, CAN will be recruiting about 30 motivated juniors to work with our wonderful staff of AmeriCorps volunteers on-site at Garfield to begin the process of identifying colleges your student will apply to when he or she is a senior, writing first drafts of the personal essays that most colleges require, getting ready to take a college entrance test (ACT), and visiting colleges that are very interested in getting to know prospective students as early as their junior year.

The juniors will attend a weekly after-school session geared to preparing the student for the intense period in the fall and winter of senior year when applications must be sent and financial aid forms and scholarship applications have to be submitted. CAN has been very successful at accommodating schedule complications and extracurricular activities, so don’t be deterred!

The CAN program is free of charge. It is appropriate for students who wish to go to a two- or four-year college or university, including community college, Washington state universities, and private and public institutions of higher education throughout the

United States

. CAN has consistently received fantastic institutional support from Mr. Howard, the counseling staff, teachers at Garfield, and the PTSA.

We have had a 100% success rate for several years with participating students. CAN graduates currently attend Washington community colleges and universities and many of the most highly regarded private colleges and universities, including Amherst, Bowdoin, Stanford, Occidental, Pomona, and many others. Of critical importance: these students have, with CAN’s help, been able to obtain necessary financial aid from their chosen colleges and from many private scholarship sources.

Even if you haven’t previously given college much thought, now is the time! We would love to meet your student and answer any questions you or your student may have.

Our on-site staff of AmeriCorps volunteers includes Katie Panhorst, a 2010 Middlebury grad who will work with CAN seniors, and Craig Pilawski, a 2006 grad of Western Michigan University. Craig will be the point person working with the juniors. Our wonderful program director, Jennie Flaming, is often at Garfield during the week providing oversight and support for the program.

If your student is a senior, but missed out on CAN last year, let us know. We can’t promise to take any additional seniors into the program at this point, but there may be a lot of assistance that we can still provide.

We look forward to meeting a great new group of juniors this year, who will become the CAN grads of the future with the opportunity to go to college!

Greg Abbott is PTSA liaison to CAN and a CAN board member and volunteer counselor.

Senior Families: Sign Up for Our Email List
How did this happen so fast? The “One Last Year” is here!
My name is Holly Morris Jacobson and I am the ’11 senior class rep. It is sure to be a busy year for all of our kids and families. To keep us together as a community and informed of all of the senior activities and family matters, we have created an ’11-specific class email list for parents and guardians. Please send your name, student’s name, and best contact info to 2011garfield@gmail.com and we will keep you informed. We promise we won’t spam you. I
f you don’t have access to email, or if you have a question, give me a call at 769-7185.

AND SAVE THE DATE FOR GRADUATION! Graduation for 2011 will be Tuesday, June 14.

Garfield PTSA Calendar, 2010–2011

September 2, 12 noon Staff appreciation: welcome-back luncheon

September 7, 8:30 am–3 pm Student orientation and pictures

September 8, 8 am–2:30 pm First day of school!

September 9, 6 pm BBQ for freshman families; stay for girls’ soccer game

September 24 Teacher requests for small grants due to PTSA for fall semester

September 16, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

September 20, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the Commons:

“Navigating Garfield: A Panel for Parents”

September 30, 7 pm Open House (“Curriculum Night”). Meet with counselors beginning at 5, administrators at 6:30.

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October 1 & 2 State PTSA legislative assembly at the SeaTac Marriott

October 8 No school: Professional Development Day for teachers

October 13,7 am Staff appreciation: light breakfast. PSAT.

October 21, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

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November 11 Veterans’ Day holiday

November 18, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

November 22, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the Commons:

“State of the School”

November 25–26 Thanksgiving holiday

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December 15, 7 am Staff appreciation: holiday breakfast

December 16, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

December 20–31 Winter Break

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January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday

January 20, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

January 27 Last day of the semester

January 28 Day between semesters—no school

January 31, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the Commons:

district speaker, budget priorities, elect nominating committee to fill next year’s positions

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February 11 Teacher requests for small grants due to PTSA for spring semester

February Eighth-grade visits

February 21–25 Presidents’ Day holiday, Midwinter Break

February 17, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

February TBD PTSA Focus Day in Olympia

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March TBD All-school auction

March 15–17 HSPE Writing

March 18 No school: Professional Development Day for teachers

March 22 HSPE Reading

March 24, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

March TBD Bubblin’ Brown Sugar dance contest

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April 12 HSPE Science

April 18–22 Spring Break

April 28, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome:

officer slate proposed, budget proposal voted on

April 29–May 1 Washington State PTSA Annual Convention

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May 4, 7 am Staff appreciation breakfast

May 19, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome

May 23, 7 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the Commons:

officers elected, budget approved, PTSA awards presented

May 30 Memorial Day holiday

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June 4, 8:30 am–12:30 pm, PTSA yearly retreat

June 14 Graduation at Memorial Stadium, followed by post-graduation celebration

June 21 Last day of school! (unless extended due to snow days)

June 22, 12 noon Staff appreciation: end-of-year luncheon

Welcome, All Garfield Families!

2010-08-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

September is here and we’re excited to start the 2010–2011 school year. Our community thrives by all of us pitching in—we encourage all families to find a way to get involved. There are three great benefits to volunteering: it helps the school, you get a feeling of satisfaction, and people who volunteer generally have a better impression of their school. So give it a try! Contact our volunteer coordinator, Ann Bergman (abbergman@gmail.com or 328-0678), or the school office, and they will help you find something that works for you.

This year the PTSA is continuing its focus on the Read Right program, offered to students reading below grade level. Also, we are hoping to see a big change with the career center. Last year the career specialist position was eliminated, so we will work to make sure students have access to the career center this year. Another focus this year will be student safety: we will strive to keep the Seattle Police Department position at Garfield. And we will be doing cultural and community outreach. Make sure you check out the roster and calendar in this issue. They will give you a better idea of the many facets of the PTSA. You are also welcome to join us for monthly board meetings as well as the general membership meetings.

We know keeping track of what’s happening at Garfield is a challenge for parents, students, and staff. In addition to subscribing to this blog, here are some additional ways to stay informed:

GHS Website ( http://ghs.seattleschools.org). An outstanding source of information about everything going on at GHS.

Garfield Notes. A non-PTSA Yahoo group email list providing information for and from parents, teachers, and staff at GHS. To subscribe, send your name and how you are related to the Garfield community to garfieldnotes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

The Bark. A monthly PTSA newsletter that covers school and PTSA news. Find current and back issues under “PTSA” on the Garfield website.

The Messenger. The student-written-and-produced newspaper available online on the Garfield website as well as by subscription.

Freshman families, join us for the freshman BBQ September 9 at 5 pm, and if you can, stay to cheer on the girls’ soccer team as they play their first home game. September 20 at 7 pm in the Commons we’ll have our first general meeting, and we’ll cover safety, security, and navigating Garfield. Be sure to mark your calendars for September 30, 7 pm: it’s the Garfield Open House (“Curriculum Night”), preceded by the Sports Boosters’ spaghetti dinner at 6 (watch for details). There will also be meetings with counselors at 5, and with administrators at 6:30.

Here’s to a fabulous year in the doghouse!

Jayn Foy, PTSA Co-President jaynfoy@comcast.net 323-7785

David Foutch, PTSA Co-President dfoutch@blarg.net 323-0923

Let's Get Started

2010-08-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

The PTSA is gearing up for the approaching school year and we have openings on our board. We are still looking for:
ASSISTANT TREASURER; works with our treasurer, Tom Gaffney, and learns on the job and usually becomes treasurer for the following year.
AUCTION CO-CHAIRS; organizes the largest PTSA fundraiser of the year. We already have two people happy to work on procurement, Diane Osland and Hildy Ko. Kirk Wohlers has offered to head up banking. Anyone willing to work on venue and equipment or volunteer coordination?11TH GRADE CLASS REP; sends out emails pertinent to the Junior class and organizes chaperones for the Seniors Grad Night outing.

If you're interested in any of these roles, email Jayn Foy for further details.

Want to make friends and show your support?
The first Teacher/Staff Appreciation event of the year is a Welcome Luncheon for 140 staff & teachers on Thursday, Sept. 2nd at 11:30 am. Please consider contributing salads of any kind (green, pasta, bean, fruit), quiches, casseroles, raw vegetables and dips, sandwich makings (sliced cheese, cold cuts), hard boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit, dessert, drinks and/or your help with setup or cleanup. Please email Susan Barkan and let her know.

Curious about upcoming teacher contract negotiations? You can check out the Seattle Public Schools and SEA to read both perspectives on teacher contract negotiations.

Looking Back: Looking Forward

2010-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Want a good reason to be involved with PTSA efforts at Garfield?
Here are highlights from outgoing PTSA treasurer Barbara Thoreson Linde regarding the financial end of the PTSA's 2009-2010 year's accomplishments:

We provided approximately $21,500 in small grants over the year.
We provided over $62,000 in funding for ongoing Academic and Visual Arts Programs.
We funded the Homework Center at $12,000.
We supported the school community with communication and community events at nearly $72,000
Total income was $347k and total expenses were $281k -- an amazing amount of support and generosity from the Garfield community.

Details of how this happened:

We are carrying over $259,462.10 to the 2010-2011 fiscal year -- an amount equal to our expense budget for 2009-10!!
The Annual Fund exceeded expectations by $10,000
Gross Auction income exceeded expectations by $56,000 while holding expenses to their budgeted amount.
Grad Night was a well-organized and highly successful event which came in under budget for expenses and over budget for income -- the best of both worlds. .
Membership income was higher than expected for the year.
Of course, money is only one aspect of the PTSA@GHS: fundamentally, this is "social networking" for the benefit of your/my/their/our students at Garfield. The PTSA serves as a source of information through general meetings, school website, Bark newsletter and GHS TRACKS blog. The PTSA can serve as a go-to resource for plugging into opportunities to support the school through volunteering. Contact Ann Bergman to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Expand your influence . Get involved.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to subscribe to GHS TRACKS blogs to receive automatic email notification each time a new posting is made. New this year, the PTSA will also be posting its BARK newsletter articles here as they are written...no need to wait for a monthly print edition. It's a great way to keep up with goings-on at Garfield. Just submit your email on the right-hand side of this page -CS

"GHSreportcard" Seeking Feedback: Seize the Opportunity

2010-06-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Garfield High School administration has asked the PTSA to collect parent/guardian reflections at the end of this year, thinking about what we know, have heard or have observed of instruction, curriculum, syllabus, grading and student engagement and learning.

This feedback will be used by Mr Howard to inform planning for next year, and rolled up into a report to be shared with the Building Leadership Team. Individual names -- parents, students or teachers -- will NOT be provided to BLT in these reports.

Please write to GHSreportcard@gmail.com with your thoughts about:

* what is working well, academically and instructionally, at Garfield High?
* what would you like to see improved at Garfield, academically and instruction-ally?
* new practices you think could help students in their learning and engagement?

This is not a substitute for working on individual student issues with individual teachers. Please contact your students teachers to work on more immediate concerns.

Graduating families - use this opportunity to give Garfield a final gift of perspective, feedback, and ideas for the future!

Incoming and Ongoing families - Here's your chance to speak out, share insights with Mr Howard and the school BLT. that reflect your student and family experience at Garfield.

And go the extra mile: Take a moment to forward this invitation to Bulldog families who need to be heard! Facebook this invitation. Tweet your peeps! Point folks to http://ghstracks.blogspot.com . CC: your Garfield friends and families and encourage them to do the same. Everybody gains when more voices are heard.

Let Mr Howard and the BLT hear what you think!

These Dogs Don't Haze

2010-06-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

Friday June 11^th is GHS annual Purple & White School Spirit day.

Parents, especially parents of 9th graders, please talk to your students about ‘froshing’, and help your students avoid malicious hazing.

Encourage your students to take action on their own:

1. Don’t get into another student's car.

2. Make plans with other 9^th grade friends to do something together after school.

3. Remember you have the power and right to say no and mean no.

As parents you can:

1. Pick your student up immediately after school on Friday

2. Talk to other parents to form a plan for alternative after school plans

3. Make sure you communicate with your child about their after school plan.

Encourage your student to enjoy the purple and white day safely.

And here's the word from sensible, hardworking and spirited Ted Howard:

At Garfield, we take a no tolerance policy on froshing. We have had 3 all school assemblies and ASB has worked all year to address froshing and harassment. We are also trying to keep our students on campus by having activities at school that students can enjoy. In the past students were tempted to leave do to the lack of activities. After surveying our students they wanted more activities and we are providing that on the field and inside of the building.

Don't haze. Have fun. Celebrate Garfield.

Finish Strong Bulldogs

2010-06-05T07:09:00.001-07:00

Graduation is a goal for all Bulldogs and the Counseling Office's Letter to Seniors is worth reposting as a succinct reminder for all parents and students:

As the count down to graduation is winding down, it is important that the following instructions be followed; after all, it is YOUR Graduation.

· Know what you need for graduation! Make it a point to pick up a current copy of your academic and a Check List.

· Make sure to check that all graduation requirements are either completed or in the process of being completed.

· Besides the specific graduation requirements: 3 PE’s, Health, 2 Fine Arts, 3 Occupational Education, Washington State History, Senior Project, 60 Hours of Community Service, the High School Plus Plan, passing specific parts of the WASL and a minimum CUM/CORE GPA of 2.0

· Communicate your progress with your parents/guardians so that they know exactly where you stand in terms of graduation and your plans for the future.

· Take all courses seriously; it is ideal to pass them all both for graduation and your next step after graduation, whether it’s college or employment!

· Work closely and respectfully with your teachers and, remember to keep proper documentation of all your work.

· Most colleges rely on your 8th semester courses to make their final decision (not to mention they may be required for graduation!). Avoid absences and tardies.

· Follow all school rules, be respectful to staff and peers alike and, stay out of trouble.

· When a request to report form is necessary to meet with your counselor, make it a point to do so but NOT during class time. Use the passing time, break time, lunch, before or after school to make the appointment.

· Pick up a copy of the daily bulletin in the Main Office, listen carefully to all intercom announcements, visit Garfield’s and the Schools District’s websites for periodic informational updates.

· Keep track of important dates.

· Remember to seek clarification and guidance from your counselors. We are ready and willing to assist you as necessary.

And lastly, don't forget to use Naviance as a tool to opportunities after high school.

And once again, please do not leave your parents in the dark; let them know where you stand in terms of graduation and your plans for the years to come. Do not wait until the last minute before informing them. Encourage them to discuss any concern with your counselor.

Thank you! We are on your side, working for you!
The Counseling Department

One More Meeting for One Great School

2010-05-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

PTSA General Membership Meeting Monday May 17, 2010 7:00 PM

The last General Meeting of the 09-10 school year is Monday evening, in the Commons. Celebrate and recognize many accomplishments! The PTSA will present its budget for next year, and elect new members to help support the many great programs and staff at Garfield.

Coming to the end of the school year, the PTSA would also like to hear from GHS Tracks readers with feedback, good and bad, on this new communication tool. We intend to continue expanding PTSA use of Tracks as a communications tool.. Spread the word. Encourage others to subscribe to GHS TRACKS. Send us an email with your comments or suggestions. Thanks!

Let's Celebrate the Jazz Band's Success

2010-05-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Clarence Acox and the Garfield Jazz Band, who have earned 1st place in the Essentially Ellington jazz competition in New York for the 4th time in 15 year history of the competition. An early article in the Seattle Times and Central District News has some info andthe GHS Jazz Band Foundation website will certainly have more to share in the days ahead. http://www.garfieldjazz.org/

Exemplary programs like the jazz band take tremendous parent involvement and support....and the tireless efforts of everyone involved should be included in any celebration. What better way to celebrate than to hear the band at their (sold out) Jazz Gala on May 15th! If you missed the beat there, catch the band at an upcoming performances at NW Folklife on May 28th or Sunday June 13th at the Quincy Jones Performing Arts center.

TEAMREADREADRIGHT'SALLRIGHT

2010-04-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Making sense of what we read is a challenge throughout our lives. Let's break it down a bit, OK?

Team Read

trains more than 400 high school students each year to become tutors for struggling elementary readers in Seattle Public Schools. Team Read works with Seattle elementary schools most in need of additional literacy support outside the school day. Participating elementary readers are referred to the program by their teachers as students who are reading significantly below grade level who would benefit from one-on-one literacy support from a carefully trained tutor. Most Team Read students do not have someone to read to them at home. Without additional support outside the classroom, they are at-risk for never catching up to grade level.

Team Read trains and match teens to work one-on-one with 2nd and 3rd graders who are reading below grade level. Research states that those students who are not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade have a significantly reduced chance of ever catching up with their peers. Last year, 1 in 10 of our 2nd graders were reading near grade level when they began the program in the fall. By the spring, 7 out of 10 were reading near/at/above grade level! The close bond that develops between the high school tutors and their student readers is the key to Team Read's success.

Year after year the school with the highest representation in Team Read is Garfield High School which represent 20% of Seattle TEAM READ for the 2009-2010 school year. High school students are give then choice of three compensation options: hourly pay, community service hours or college tuition. By one estimate, approximately 78% of our Garfield student/coaches receive hourly pay, 11% service learning and 11% college tuition. Want to learn more? Contact Laura Collins

READ RIGHT

is a structured and successful reading intervention program that has been operating at Garfield for the past 7 years. Approximately 60 GHS students start the program each year: 20 graduated in February, and another 20 students will graduate by June. Mallory Clarke has run the program for the last 3 years with the support of 2 four-days-a-week AmeriCorps volunteers and a cadre of GHS parents and GHS seniors. That's a whopping total of 42 volunteers! Want to join in? Contact Mallory or Shelly Sundberg, the ReadRight volunteer coordinator.

For next year, ReadRight has received confirmation of continuing support for two AmeriCorps volunteers as well as a pledge of support from the PTSA that should help provide for another full time "volunteer" position.

The UW Evans School of Public Affairs is conducting an independent evaluation of our Read Right program to assess how participation in the program affects academic performance, standardized test scores, attendance, discipline, and attitudes towards school and reading.

So here's a shout out to all the volunteer, staff, and students that make the extra efforts to bolster reading skills.

TEAMREADREADRIGHT'SALLRIGHT!

Last Minute Reminder: Small Grants Opportunity for GHS Clubs and Faculty

2010-03-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

First, let me admit to having failed to post this information earlier. Mea culpa aside, put this information in a student club's hands tonight and they may yet apply for the next round of funding!

For many years, through the generosity of contributors to the Garfield Annual Fund, the PTSA has awarded grants to Garfield staff members and school organizations, enabling them to increase the academic and vocational competence of Garfield students. The PTSA Small Grants Committee makes grants twice a year. For the spring cycle, the grants were awarded, for a total of $6284.00 which provided: English Language/Bilingual classroom supplies, History Wall Map Set,Language Arts classroom room set of Scrabble, Tape recorders, UpFront MAg Subscriptions, Science Three microscopes and physics equipment, Yearbook Subsidized yearbooks for low income seniors, DSL camera for yearbook, After School Class After School Classes for students needing to pass The HSPE Student Clubs Application fee for Mock Trials.

The basic information? GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PTSA Small Grant Application Form

DUE DATE: March 26, 2010

1. Your name/email:

Club Name : _____________________________________

Faculty advisor :

2. Small grant would be used for:

3. List project milestones along with the estimated completion date for each.

4. Total requested grant: $_______________ ( $300.00 or less is strongly preferred)
Include a simple line item budget for this grant request on an attached page.

List project funding from other sources and what each other source will buy:

5. Describe the proposed project and explain how it would meet the funding criteria.

6. Indicate the number of students affected.

I have read the above grant application. There is a need for what is proposed and no other source of funds is available to complete the project.

__________________________________ ______________________________________

(student signature) (Faculty Advisor signature)

PTSA Small Grants Box in the office or email to Gretchen@thejacobsens.com and dfoutch@blarg.net no later than the March 26th due date. PTSA Small Grants Co-Vice Presidents

PTSA Position Openings

2010-03-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

The PTSA has been Garfield's most enduring school support organization. Besides the source of volunteer energy in the classrooms, the PTSA also contributes almost $200,000 in annual giving for school projects, and provides political advocacy for enhanced district and state funding for education. Joining the PTSA board is a great way to keep in touch with what is going on at GHS plus contribute to making it an even better school for our kids.

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the PTSA Board in both elected and appointed positions. Anyone who would like to learn more is encouraged to let us know, by emailing co-president and nominations chair Ann Bergman at abbergman@gmail.com.

Congratulations Ted Howard, Raise the Woof Crew

2010-03-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ted Howard II, principal at Garfield High, is this year's winner of the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence, given to a Seattle secondary school principal for outstanding leadership. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011353728_principalaward16m.html

Congratulations and MANY MANY THANKS to Neal Feldman and his huge crew of Auction volunteers - they hosted a TERRIFIC event. The early numbers are at least at $120K, and may in fact be closer to $140K - we will know more by the end of the week. Thanks to you all for your hours of help, your table hosting, your procuring, your guest recruitment, and your donations! A special shoutout to Janis Traven and crew for a funny, clever, and delightful Raise the Woof video. Watch it on YouTube ...and applaud actors, producers and the whole Raise the Woof crew!

GHS PTSA general meeting is next Thursday March 25th.

Input, Legislation and a Pause for Celebration

2010-03-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

The Mayor's "Youth and Families Initiative" comes to Garfield on March 22nd 7-8:30 as the final of five community meetings. Facilitated small groups at the meeting will solicit input, nominate delegates for the June 5th Kids and Family Congress. The initiative, as described on their website:http://youthandfamilies.seattle.gov/

The Youth and Families Initiative is a major initiative announced by Mayor Mike McGinn during his inaugural address. The Initiative will help shape the Mayor’s agenda on issues affecting youth and families from a child’s birth to their successful career track. We are committed to eliminating racial disparities in education, child care, children’s health and the criminal justice system. This is not a problem solely within communities of color; it is our problem, and the responsibility for ending this systemic inequity rests with all of us.

The co-chairs of the new Initiative are former Mayor Norm Rice, former deputy mayor Bob Watt and Estela Ortega, Executive Director at El Centro de la Raza.

On the WA State level, key educational legislation passed in Olympia yesterday! Parents, educators and students have a lot to celebrate after a major advocacy effort by numerous groups including League of Education Voters, Stand for Children, and dozens of other youth and education advocates.

And, in a belated mention here, the Seattle School Levy election is still worth celebrating. Check the district website for post-election information.

Summer Plans Start Now

2010-03-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Garfield College and Career Center bulletin this week was loaded with summer opportunities. Including Project Hope (Health Occupation Prep), Summer Music at Cornish, Economics for Leaders, Summer Study Abroad, UW Summer Study, Bellevue College Summer Program for Teens.

Another group that came to my attention is Summer Search, a national leadership development program. Their mission is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.

There are seven current Summer Searchers at Garfield. Last summer the students received full scholarships for programs that included going white-water rafting and backpacking for 21 days in Utah with Outward Bound Wilderness to studying social justice issues and working with orphans in India with Global Leadership Adventures. Contact arussell@summersearch.org

GHS Post also has a 4 day outing planned for July. Camp Ramblewood is an Environmental Learning Center near Sequim Bay State Park. It's a great introduction to kayaking and hiking while learning about the plant and marine life of that area. http://ghspost.org/events/show/12

Career Center News KPLU Monday morning?

2010-01-29T23:04:00.000-08:00

One of the most unfortunate causalities of the district budget woes has been the Career Center staffing debacle. If you check the GHS website http://ghs.seattleschools.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&sectionid=111 you'll notice a faint glimmer of what was a stellar resource for students and parents. Everyone wants to restore funding, and now is the time to speak out with school board and district leadership.

If you can, please email the school board over the weekend to keep this issue at the forefront of their minds. There is a strong possibility that the board may only continue to fund the position at the alternative and small school levels. If this happens, we will need your help urging parents, students, community members, school faculty and staff to talk to their respective high school principals about why it is so important for the school to fund the Career and College Center Specialists.

I am very excited to report that it seems highly likely that Gary Davis (who is fantastic!) will be able to air a quick piece about the need to get high school students more career and college support. If the piece is able to run, it will likely be on KPLU (88.5) on Monday around 7AM and 8AM. Please make sure to tune in.

Below are emails for the school board:

Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson, superintendent@seattleschools.org

District I - Peter Maier, peter.maier@seattleschools.org

District II - Sherry Carr, sherry.carr@seattleschools.org

District III - Harium Martin-Morris, harium.martin-morris@seattleschools.org

District IV - Michael DeBell, michael.debell@seattleschools.org

District V - Kay Smith-Blum, kay.smith-blum@seattleschools.org

District VI - Steve Sundquist, steve.sundquist@seattleschools.org

District VII - Betty Patu, betty.patu@seattleschools.org

Thanks for all efforts! Amy
______________________

Amy Tran Russell
Director of Outreach

Listen, Consider, Speak Out, Support

2010-01-26T16:23:00.000-08:00

PTSA Meeting with Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson
will be the featured speaker at the Garfield PTSA General Meeting Feb 1, 7PM in the Commons.
We have asked her to address these three important issues:
**Increasing District support for special programs such as Read-Right, C.A.N (College Access Now)

**Curriculum standardization and impact on Garfield, with Garfield Science as an example (science electives such as Marine Science, Ecology, Genetics may be at risk)

**Teacher quality, hiring and retention and advocating for students in the next round of union negotiations and likely RIFs this spring (firing teachers due to budget constraints)

We encourage you all to attend, so that the District understands how important these issues are to the parents, students, teachers and staff at Garfield. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Superintendent, on these and other issues.

Garfield Auction Saturday Evening, March 13, 2010
Use the procurement/donation letter to help explain our auction to donors, our donation form (download here or get hard copies from GHS Main Office) to record the donation, and our procurement guidelines to assist with the whole process. It's time to to raise the woof! Tammy Luthy is coordinating volunteers this year

Garfield Foundation Gala Update
Our fourth Fundraising Gala, "On the Right Track", is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM at Emerald Downs, in Auburn. Mark your calendar so you can join us for a great evening of meeting old -and new- friends, entertainment, dinner, auction and most importantly – raising money to benefit Garfield High School! To register or find out more information go to http://garfieldhsf.org/Events/2010-03-06/

Summer Opportunities for Teens (from GHS Daily Bulletin)

The summer opportunity showcase is a one-stop resource for parents and students to learn about summer programs. Over 75 day and night programs will be showcased such as language immersion, SAT tutoring, robotics, drama, dance, sailing, rock climbing, web design, music, etc. for more info visit the camp fair at Bush school (3400 E. Harrison St.) on Feb. 4 from 5-8pm. Or the website www.Bush.edu/sos

or call (206) 515-2353 x7888.

Support Levy Now

2010-01-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

It's School Levy time. The best way to encourage voters in this
special election is word of mouth -- tell friends and neighbors to vote!

Please give us just 2 hours of your time on Monday night, January 25th to remind
voters how critical renewal of the school levies is to our schools and our kids!
It's easy and fun. Pizza will be provided. Community service hours are available, students encouraged!
All you need to bring is your cell phone and a friend (or two!)

SchoolsFirstSeattle! Phone Bank Monday night, January 25th Shift #1 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Shift #2 7:00pm – 9:00pm Campaign Headquarters, 524 Dexter Ave N
(between Mercer & Republican) http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Please, take just 2 extra hours out of your day for our schools – they are
counting on us! Janis Traven 285-7375 janistraven@comcast.net

Schools First! It's Public School Levy Renewal Time

2010-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Here's something of importance to GHS families and all Seattle voters.

On February 9, Seattle voters will be asked to renew their commitment to Seattle’s public school students by voting to renew two expiring school levies.

The Schools First Campaign Kick-off & Rally is coming right up… Saturday, January 9 from 10:30 to 11:30am. Please join us at the campaign kick-off. Bring your kids, friends and neighbors...The Mayor-elect will be joining and I’m sure you’re as interested as I am to hear his thoughts!

Vote Yes! For School Levies February 9, 2010

www.schoolsfirstseattle.org

GHS Tracks

Town Hall with Mayor and Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield Tuesday, June 21 - seasholes@gmail.com

"Race to Nowhere" Screening at Hamilton

Garfield Student wins Edward R Murrow Award for journalism

LAX Bulldogs

Forum on Cuts to Classes Thursday May 19th 5-6PM

Auction May Day in March

Legislative action on HB 1470 and 5189

Students Testifying in Olympia

Town Hall Visits this weekend

PTSA General Meeting Mon Jan 31st

GARFIELD KIDS “BUILDING BRIDGES”

*Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is a student- led program working to spread awareness about alternatives to youth violence throughout the Seattle community through youth led initiatives.

**The Seattle Youth Commission is a group of 22 Seattleites aged 13-19 from all over the city who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council to connect youth to their elected officials. http://www.seattle.gov/syc/

Legislative and District Updates

Help Wanted:PTSA assn't treasurer , auction data entry and videographer needed

Fulfilling New Year Resolutions

Garfield Tonight and District Plans in the Days Ahead

BARK Dogs BARK

Meetings that Matter

Garfield in the News

Full House: Garfield Matters and You Care

PTSA Meetings of Import and a Chance to Help

Meeting Friends (and Others) Online and Face to Face

Stray Bullets - The Garfield Messenger

Your Teen: on and off screen

Extra Efforts Support Excellence at Garfield

October Issues to Keep in Mind this Week

Curriculum Night, Plus

PTSA Meeting Synopsis and Student Assignment Plan/Enrollment Feedback

Make Time to Make Garfield Work for You

September eBark Part 2

September Bark Articles

Welcome, All Garfield Families!

Let's Get Started

Looking Back: Looking Forward

"GHSreportcard" Seeking Feedback: Seize the Opportunity

These Dogs Don't Haze

Finish Strong Bulldogs

One More Meeting for One Great School

Let's Celebrate the Jazz Band's Success

TEAMREADREADRIGHT'SALLRIGHT

Last Minute Reminder: Small Grants Opportunity for GHS Clubs and Faculty

PTSA Position Openings

Congratulations Ted Howard, Raise the Woof Crew

Input, Legislation and a Pause for Celebration

Summer Plans Start Now

Career Center News KPLU Monday morning?

Listen, Consider, Speak Out, Support

or call (206) 515-2353 x7888.

Support Levy Now

Schools First! It's Public School Levy Renewal Time

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is a student- led program working to spread awareness about alternatives to youth violence throughout the* Seattle community through youth led initiatives.