The Highline School Board voted unanimously Wednesday night (Mar. 3rd) to move ahead with a federal grant application that would require major changes at White Center’s Cascade Middle School, as well as SeaTac’s Chinook Middle School.

Cascade Middle School is located at 11212 10th Avenue SW in White Center.

Here are more details from a press release sent to us:

The grant opportunity is part of new federal regulations that identify high-poverty schools with large numbers of struggling students. In order to get the funds, districts must agree to restructure the schools by next fall.

Last week, a team of 45 people, including teachers, central office staff, parents, and community partners, gathered for a two-day summit to begin formulating a restructuring plan. Sarah Weir of the White Center Community Development Association, one of the community partners to participate on the planning team, said she left the summit “feeling really optimistic about the passion and commitment of the people who serve our kids.”

“We recognize the need for school reform. We believe all students are capable of reaching their dreams, and we’re excited about the possibilities these changes will mean for our students,” said Chinook teacher Amber Larson. She emphasized that “school staff, central office leaders, the school board, and parents all hold responsibility and need to work together to make changes.”

Theresa Carlson, Cascade teacher and vice-president of the Highline Education Association, agreed, “We need to start climbing this mountain and taking some risks. We are all in this together.”

The school board endorsed the planning team’s outline and directed the district to submit the federal grant application on Friday. Elements of the plan include:

• Increasing accountability of the school board, central office administrators, and parents, as well as teachers; and giving a senior administrator authority to make bold decisions to support the schools.
• Increasing involvement of parents and community organizations in the schools through two-way communication, bi-lingual staff, parent advisory teams, and other means.
• Developing new ways of evaluating staff and providing meaningful incentives for staff and administrators.
• Rethinking the way school is delivered, such as trying innovative ways of structuring the school day.
• Use strategies that have been successful in other high-poverty, highly diverse schools, such as adjusting schools schedules to provide more learning time.
• Setting ambitious goals for student improvement and expecting all students to become prepared for post-high school education and the workplace.

The planning team also calls for the school district to support the restructuring plans through policy, technical assistance, commitment from the school board, and creation of a plan to sustain the changes beyond the life of the three-year grant.

Superintendent John Welch told the school board the plan “builds on the great work that is already happening at Chinook and Cascade.”

The federal accountability program requires school districts to choose one of four restructuring models:

• Closure: Close the school and send students to other schools in the district. The school board ruled out this option for Chinook and Cascade because other middle schools do not have room to accommodate all students.
• Restart: Open the school under a third party education management organization. This option was also rejected since charter schools are not allowed in Washington and the state has not issued a list of approved third parties.
• Turnaround: replace principal and at least 50% of staff. This option was also eliminated.
• Transformation: Replace the principal, reform the instructional model, develop teacher evaluations with student growth as a factor, increase community engagement, and extend learning time.

The school board decided last week to use the “transformation” model at both schools.

Highline Superintendent Welch acknowledges that the four federal models take a narrow approach to improving student achievement.

“The models imply that sole responsibility for getting middle school students to grade level is with the middle school teachers and principals,” said Welch. “We know there are other issues that need to be addressed—in elementary schools, in our system as a whole, and in the community. Still, this is an opportunity to gain some resources we haven’t had before to tackle issues at the middle school level.”

The school district expects to know by March 26 if the funds will be granted. The money could start flowing to the schools by April. If that happens, teachers would start professional development this summer. There could also be summer programs for incoming 7th graders. The schools would open in September with the changes in place.

King County Parks has officially unveiled what they consider a “very groovy” new playground at White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park, which is located at 1321 SW 102nd Street.

Here’s the verbiage taken directly from the county’s website:

The new playground at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center is now officially OPEN!

Featuring some very groovy Scandinavian-designed equipment for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, there are slides, swings, and lots of spinny things.

And of course, safety surfacing so you don’t get hurt when you fall down and go boom.

Enjoy!

As you may recall, Steve Cox was the King County Sheriff’s officer who was was killed in White Center in the line of duty in December of 2006. Formerly White Center Park, the park was re-opened in Cox’ honor in 2007.

Here’s a pic of the “very groovy” playground, courtesy King County Parks:

The Salvation Army has a youth basketball league called “HYPE,” and tryouts for 4th through 8th graders will begin Tuesday, March 9th at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

This is a competitive basketball league, and is meant to provide kids with an athletic outlet to develop both teamwork and leadership in a competitive, healthy environment.

Here are details on the tryouts:

WHAT: Salvation Army HYPE Basketball League.

WHEN: Open tryouts will be:

4th, 5th, and 6th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Thursday March 11th – 5:30 to 7:00pm

7th and 8th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
• Thursday March 11th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm

WHERE: Tryouts will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

INFO: For more information, contact Sean or Charles (206) 767-3150 ext 113.

The Museum of Flight is holding an Engineering Fair this weekend, which will include the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 13th from 8am to 5pm.

High School engineering students will be tasked with creating bridges made entirely of Popsicle sticks and white glue, which to us sounds like a lot of fun (especially if they have to eat a lot of Popsicles beforehand to prepare).

Perhaps the winner of this contest can help fix the deteriorating South Park Bridge just down the hill?

Here are the details:

WHAT: Engineering Fair & the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 13th from 8:00am-5:00pm

WHERE: William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle; Phone: 206.764.5720

INFO: From the Museum of Flight’s website:

The Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers will put on a competition of bridges built using only Popsicle sticks and white glue. Each year teams of high school students from local schools build bridges that are strong, efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The bridges will be judged and then tested to failure with a hydraulic press. Be sure to be in the room as each bridge snaps and broken Popsicle sticks fly everywhere. At 12:00 noon the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

In the Museum’s Side Gallery, the Puget Sound Engineering Council will celebrate the annual National Engineers Week with an Engineering Fair. Local chapters of national societies representing the entire span of engineering disciplines will staff booths all day where those interested in engineering careers can learn more about the exciting opportunities available. Several university engineering departments and student clubs will also be represented.

Here’s a video about the Popsicle bridge competition:

Story & Photos by Janet Grella

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence celebrated their major donors and board participants at a special awards luncheon at The House Restaurant in Burien on Wednesday, Feb. 10th.

According to Holly Moore, Foundation Executive, the luncheon was made possible by an Anonymous Donor’s $2,000 gift.

Chef Will and hostess Stephanie prepared and served a four-course meal to 39 guests, while Board President Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Highline Superintendent John Welch and the Foundation’s Holly Moore awarded five couples for their personal and financial support to the Foundation over the 10-years since the Foundation was started.

In the first of what will be an annual event plaques of appreciation were give to:

• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason
• Tom and Leann Russell
• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Sharon and David Wilson (who were acknowledged posthumosly for their long-term support Highline Schools Foundation)

Ms. Moore also shared a “traveling plaque” with the audience that included the recipient’s names. It will be displayed at various schools throughout the Highline School system.

Superientendent Welch noted the good efforts and commitments of the Highline Schools Foundation, and their funding of programs during these “challenging financial times.” He particularly called attention to the arts and athletics support given by the foundation.

If you are interested in donating to or learning more about Highline Schools Foundation for excellence, click here.

Here’s Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow

Highline School District students can earn money for their schools by participating in the 2010 Cove to Clover 5K race, which is coming to the Burien area Sunday, March 14th (read our previous coverage here).

The Grand Prize will be $1,500, donated to the winning school. The winning school will be determined by which one has the highest percentage of registrants compared to the school’s total enrollment – $5 will be donated to each school whose name is entered into the “Registration Code” for online registrants (and every registrant must enter a code).

Entries must be received by 11:59pm Monday, March 1st (two weeks before race day, which is March 14th) to be counted toward a school’s total.

Here are the details of how kids can help their schools:

School Registration Contest: $1,500 Grand Prize (donated to winning school)

Here are the current standings:

Current School Registration Status (updated nightly)

White Center’s Educare Early Learning Center is hosting “Wednesdays with WCELI” this Wednesday, Feb. 10th from 9am to 10am at their offices at 625 SW 100th (next to White Center Heights Elementary School).

This is a new monthly series, and this week’s topic is “How to Enroll in Educare.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Wednesdays with WCELI at the Educare Early Learning Center

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 10th from 9to 10am

WHERE: Educare Early Learning Center, located at 625 SW 100th in White Center

INFO: The topic is “How to Enroll in Educare,” and will include:

• Coffee/Tea and light morning refreshments provided
• Children welcome activities provided for aged 2-5
• Interpretation available

For more information, call (425) 917-7728.

White Center Blog Advertiser West Seattle Montessori School and Academy will be presenting the play “Mulan” this Thursday, Feb. 4th, and Friday, Feb. 5th at West Seattle High School, at 7pm both nights.

Starring in the play will be the schools’ lower and upper elementary students.

Directing is WSM’s faculty member Mary Springer, local founder and artistic director of Twelfth Night Productions.

The tale of Mulan contains universal themes – that often the individual must sacrifice for the greater good, and that the path of personal discovery lies in that sacrifice.

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

The school and academy are now enrolling for the 2010 – 2011 academic school year.

For more information, please contact the main office at (206) 935-0427, or visit their website here: www.WestSeattleMontessori.com.

Play location:

West Seattle High School
California Avenue SW and SW Stevens Street, in West Seattle

Ticket information: www.westseattlemontessori.com/updates/mulan

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Beverly Park Elementary School (located at 1201 South 104th Street), is one of 11 schools honored for completing the first level of King County’s Green Schools Program.

It is one of four Highline School District schools recognized; the others include Gregory Heights Elementary in Burien, Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac, and North Hill Elementary School in Des Moines.

Each school received a “We are a King County Green School” banner, a certificate of recognition, a success story on the program Web site and mention in a press release issued by King County.

Participating schools receive assistance on how to conserve resources such as paper, electricity and water, and they are often rewarded with reduced utility and garbage disposal costs.

“Each of these 11 schools has involved its whole school community – students, teachers and administrators – in reducing garbage and increasing recycling,” said Dale Alekel, King County Green Schools Program manager.

Highline Schools honored include:

• Beverly Park Elementary School (unincorporated King County)
• Gregory Heights Elementary School (Burien)
  
• Madrona Elementary School (SeaTac)
• North Hill Elementary School (Des Moines)

These schools completed level one of the program by initiating or improving recycling practices and engaging in waste-reduction strategies, such as decreasing paper use. Success stories for each school are at this website.

According to the King County website, some of Beverly Parks’ achievements include:

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

• Beverly Park Elementary School increased its recycling rate from 33 percent to 38 percent.
• To compost food and yard waste, paraeducator Karen Eng spearheaded the creation of two outdoor worm bins. With help from the Green Schools Program, sixth grade students from teacher Rosanne Esposito’s class participated in a King County Green Team workshop on how to compost using a worm bin. Each lunch period, selected students collect food scraps and tend the worm bin.
• The school started recycling breakfast milk cartons and currently recycles approximately 150 milk cartons and 120 juice cartons per day. Custodian Archie Champion has led this effort.
• Recycling containers provided by the Green Schools Program were added to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and food scraps.
• School staff placed recycling stickers on all recycling containers. Provided by the Green Schools Program, the stickers list what can and cannot be recycled.
• Beverly Park has adopted and promoted a double-sided copy policy which has helped decrease paper waste.

Participation in the King County Green Schools Program has grown each year. To date, 10 of King County’s 18 school districts have received assistance or are now participating, and in doing so they have increased recycling, reduced energy and resource consumption, and engaged students in benefiting the environment.

The program has helped more than 300 schools cut waste and save resources since its inception in 2003. By providing hands-on assistance, including school visits, tailored recommendations, help with outreach to students and staff, and recycling containers and stickers, the Green Schools Program provides schools and school districts with the support they need to set up and maintain effective conservation practices.

In addition to providing schools with the hands-on help they need, the program offers a website, www.kingcounty.gov/GreenSchools, with useful tools and resources.

Schools interested in receiving assistance to improve conservation practices can contact Dale Alekel at dale.alekel@kingcounty.gov.

WCB Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School. More info at their website here.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

January is National Mentoring Month, and to celebrate, Neighborhood House is launching the Recruit-A-Mentor Challenge, where they’re trying to double the number of volunteer mentors for area middle school students.

Here’s what they say:

Mentors are an important component of CASASTART. Each month, mentors join our students in various activities during after-school hours. These activities range from educational to simply hanging out. By being present each month, mentors become positive adult role models to our students which they may not otherwise have if it were not for the CASASTART program. The time commitment is two hours per month with the students plus some planning time with the other mentors. We ask that mentors commit at least six months to the program.

If you (or anyone you know) are interested in becoming a mentor, please e-mail RominaR@nhwa.org for more information on how to get started as a mentor.

ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE:
Neighborhood House is a multi-service, non-profit agency located in several public housing communities in the Seattle area. Last year, we
served 13,500 clients, 80% of which are refugees/immigrants. Our services include early childhood education, ESL classes, job placement, drug/substance abuse prevention, transportation for seniors just to name a few. The mission of Neighborhood House is to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence, health, and community
building.

Our website is located at www.nhwa.org.

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday (Jan. 2nd), at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser in the parking lot of Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th near First Ave South in Burien.

It’s just $5 to donate your tree(s), and they’ll be accepting more tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 3rd) from 9am to 4pm.

“This is one of two major fundraisers we do every year,” said Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes as he supervised the kids. “Along with our annual dinner at St. Francis, the money raised today will go towards scholarships for camps for scouts. And people should know that a kid can be a Boy Scout without having to pay much money.”

Ufkes continued: “To be a Boy Scout, all you have to do is a) be between 11 and 18 years old, b) be an upstanding citizen, c) believe in a higher power, and d) want to spend a lot of time outdoors doing adventures with other kids. Having money is not a factor.”

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including White Center, West Seattle, Burien, Normandy Park and Des Moines. For more information, check out their website here.

This event is a “mandatory” one for members of this troop, and we counted at least 12 scouts while we were there Saturday afternoon. Ufkes says that all 20 boys from this troop will help out over the entire weekend, making one wonder:

How many scouts does it take to de-limb a Christmas tree?

To find out, click on Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow below:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

The large truck hauler used at his event was donated by Scarsella Brothers Construction, who help out every year.

Over the last two years, 16 Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.

According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923, Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.

We here at The White Center Blog highly recommend that all Readers make the trip to Burien to recycle your tree with these kids, because everything stays local, from the donations, which fund scout activities, to the firewood (which will be sold to raise funds) to the mulch made from the tree chippings (which will end up in a local yard). Herr Garden Center is located at 107 SW 160th in Burien; Phone: 206-242-2014.

We recently received an update on the status of White Center’s Evergreen Pool from the folks at Whitewater Aquatics, and the most current info we have is that Whitewater made a presentation to the Highline School Board last week.

The basics from their Powerpoint presentation (download link here):

• Whitewater needs more funding to re-open the pool in March 2010.
• If Whitewater can reach agreement with the Highline School District (HSD) to manage the pool, it will be opened to all members of the community for swim lessons, senior exercise, family swims and swim teams.
• If Whitewater does not take over operation of Evergreen Pool, the mothballed facility will revert to HSD in March 2010 presumably still closed and in need of repairs. The funds committed by King County to repair and re-open the pool could be lost.
• Whitewater has privately raised $50,000 to fund our operating costs as we open and re-establish operations.

Here are the details from their presentation we received via email from Julie Dow:

Ed Marrs presented the attached to The Highline School Board this week, on behalf of the parents of Whitewater Swim Club and our efforts to save Evergreen Pool . We’re in our “11-th hour” but, yet, remain optimistic. The county is trying to help, but time is ticking. The school board is deciding. We need to get the pool open by March to succeed with our plan, we’ve raised quite a bit of money privately, we need to move quickly.

HISTORY OF EVERGREEN POOL

• Evergreen Pool was one of the many area pools funded by “Forward Thrust” bonds.
• Ownership of the pool reverts to HSD from King County in March 201o.
• King County closed the pool September 1, 2009, but has approved budgeted funds for needed repairs and contingency.
• The pool and surrounding ball fields were “excluded” from the annexation area of Burien, the city choosing instead to allow these resources to revert to The Highline School District.
• Whitewater Swim Club (established in 2002) has been working for nearly a year to form and fund a not-for-profit llc, WWAM to manage the pool.
• Due to re-organization of County Execs office, the county has decided not to work on a lease of only 3 months, instead asking WWAM to work directly with HSD.

WHO IS WHITEWATER AQUATICS MANAGEMENT LLC?

• We are a non-profit group formed by leaders of our community for the sole purpose of operating Evergreen Pool in a private-public partnership. Our detailed business plan is attached to this summary.
• We have privately raised $50,000 to fund our operating costs as we open and re-establish operations.
• We have worked extensively over the last year to secure community support, $300,000 in funding from King County and to build a coalition that will re-open this valuable community resource. We seek to open the pool to meet immediate community needs and to be part of a long term solution for this asset.
• We manage a separate entity, Whitewater Swim Club, a not-for-profit swim club which is governed by a parent board of directors and professionally managed. We are sanctioned by USA Swimming and have over 70 youths age 7-21 on our team. Several of our swimmers compete on Highline High and Mt. Rainier High Swim Teams. The swim club will pay for its pool time to the LLC which manages the pool.

WHAT ARE HSD’s OPTIONS?

• If WWAM can reach agreement with HSD to manage the pool, the pool will be opened to all members of the community for swim lessons, senior exercise, family swims and swim teams.
• If WWAM does not take over operation of Evergreen Pool, the mothballed facility will revert to HSD in March 2010 presumably still closed and in need of repairs. The funds committed by King County to repair and re-open the pool could be lost.

WHY EVERGREEN MATTERS

• A positive youth activity.
• An economically challenged neighborhood, White Center, needs good alternatives.
• A “no cut” sport that is inclusive to all, from the disabled to the competitive.
• We are surrounded by water. The death rate from drowning is nearly twice the national average in low income areas.
• Creating life long fitness and activity habits and impacting child obesity rates.

WHAT WILL EVERGREEN OFFER W/WWAM AS MANAGER?

• Community and Family Swim time
• Senior Citizen Water Exercise and Social Programs
• Lifeguard Training
• Swimming Lessons for Children, including free or low cost lessons for low income families
• Competitive Swim Club for youth ages seven to twenty one, including athletes from Highline Schools
• Training for tri athletes and adult competitors
• Water Safety Instruction for boating and general safety
• Scuba Certification Training
• Adult Exercise and Swim Lessons

WWAM IS ASKING HSD FOR:

• Ten year “lease” at $1.00 per year.
• No financial support from the district.
• A contact person with HSD who is empowered to work with WWAM toward mutual goals.
• An agreement in place in the near term. To meet the income requirements of a solid business plan, the pool must be open for the “busy” spring lesson season, not later than March 1, 2010.
• Assistance in involving municipalities to provide a long term plan for the pool and area needs.
• Hold capital contingency funds provided by the county in a reserve to be used as needed.

A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS

• Dow Constantine
• North Highline Area Unincorporated Council
• 34th District Democrats

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Burien City Council Reacts To County’s Desire To Sell Puget Sound Park
• Update On Status Of Evergreen Pool From Whitewater Aquatics
• PHOTOS & SOUNDS: Scenes From Monday Night’s Rally To Save Evergreen Pool
• Want To Save Evergreen Pool? Rally Tonight From 5-7pm
• King County “Mothballing” 39 Parks, More Than A Third Of Which Are In The Area

We got an email Friday afternoon from Lisanna Fox, who says that her niece Tayvaunna Milam, 15, is missing, and that she “…may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site?”

So we made some calls, checked with the Washington State Patrol, spoke with her Mother Lydia, and confirmed that this is a legit runaway case, so if you’ve seen Tayvaunna (pictured, left), you are urged to contact the Seattle Police Department at (206) 684-5582, or the WSP Missing Persons Unit at 1-800-543-5678 immediately.

Here’s the email request we received from Lisanna:

My name is Lisanna and I have a 15-yr-old niece that has been missing since the 25th of November. Her name is Tayvaunna Milam. The case has been reported to the SPD, WSP, as well as The Center For Missing And Exploited Children. We have been posting fliers throughout Seattle and the surrounding areas. There has been info relayed to us that she may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site. The information has been approved by all of the above agencies..thank you for any help that you can offer with getting the word out!! Every little bit helps and I think that it is important that our children know that we care and will go to great lengths for them. Again thank you and Happy Holidays.

Here’s the poster from the Washington State Patrol (download a PDF here if you’d like to post it):

Some helpful links:

• Help The Children Profile Page On Tayvaunna
• PDF Poster from the Washington State Patrol
• Web page & poster from MissingKids.com

Here’s info directly from a poster:

TAYVAUNNA SHAKAYLA LERONIQUE MILAM
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Mar 15, 1994	Sex: Female
Missing Date: Nov 25, 2009	Race: Biracial
Age Now: 15	Height: 5′5″ (165 cm)
Missing City: SEATTLE	Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)
Missing State : WA	Hair Color: Black
Missing Country: United States	Eye Color: Brown
Case Number: NCMC1136240
Circumstances: Tayvaunna was last seen on November 25, 2009. She is American Indian, Black, and White. Tayvaunna’s ears are pierced.

Westside School, which is located nearby at 10015 28th Ave SW, is holding a fundraiser to help send its 4th and 5th graders to Islandwood, and outdoor educational facility located on Bainbridge Island.

All you have to do is mention this code when shopping at any Barnes & Noble, including the one in nearby Westwood Village:

584235

Here’s more info:

Westside School Bookfair December 3, 4, 5 and 6: Help Our 4th and 5th Graders go to Islandwood!

On December 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, you and your family can support the Fourth and Fifth grades’ 4-day trip to Islandwood by doing some holiday shopping at ANY Barnes & Noble in the country!

Please give your friends and relatives this number, 584235, to use any time on those days and 10% or more of the sales will come back to Westside School.  Locally, the 4th and 5th graders will be running activities tables and reading to kids in the children’s section of the Westwood Village store so that parents can shop unimpeded.

They will also man a “wrap for tips” table at the entrance of the Westwood village store.

Vouchers, in the form of bookmarks, were handed out to the students on Monday, November 30.

The White Center Blog, along with our sister site The B-Town Blog, look forward to seeing as many of our Readers and Neighbors as possible today, Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the White Center Albertsons for our special Thanksgiving-related food drive:

Our 2nd Annual Turkeys N’ Diapers Fundraiser!

It’ll run until 4pm today, and all donations will go to the White Center Food Bank (food) and WestSide Baby (diapers & baby stuff).

Albertsons is located at 16th Avenue SW and SW 106th Street in White Center.

Come by and say Hi!