Going on job interviews? Giving a business presentation? Leading a meeting? Need confidence? Toastmasters is the answer!

The ability to speak well is crucial to success, but have you ever evaluated your speaking skills? Many people, if they were to seek feedback, would learn that they talk too much, or perhaps too softly, that they fill their sentences with “ums” and “uhs,” or that they are hard to follow. You might say that it’s the message that matters; but if you can’t put your ideas across in a way that makes people want to listen, that promotion or that leadership position could be a long time coming.

Toastmasters offers a formal, self-paced program that will help you learn to speak better. The two keys to this are practice and feedback. Toastmasters clubs provide a friendly and supportive setting where you can practice your public speaking, and receive constructive feedback. Darlene Burrill says, “Toastmasters has given me the courage to speak in front of a group in spite of my speech impediment.”

To learn more about Toastmasters attend an Open House at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Arrive at 6:45am to receive your guest packet and get your coffee or juice. There will be a light breakfast served at break time.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters Open House
4 Lessons on Speaking from “The Karate Kid”
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Across the street from Azteca, next to Hi-Line Lanes
7:00am – 8:15am
Arrive at 6:45am for Guest Packets, Coffee and Juice
For more info contact Theresa 206-588-5088 or burienbreakfast.com@gmail.com

There will be three parts to the meeting, the prepared speeches, the evaluations, and “Table Topics”. The prepared speeches are usually of five to seven minutes long. Each member is given in a manual that sets out ten speech projects. Each of these has a specific goal, such as speech structure, using gestures, pauses and vocal inflection. These will help you learn how to express your ideas clearly and with confidence. Bang Parkinson, the President of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, says that using the speech projects helped her gain confidence and feel comfortable presenting at board meetings at work. “Even though I still have my Chinese accent, people understand me better. Giving speeches at Toastmasters helped me to articulate well and to speak slower, clearer and smoother.”

After each speech an evaluator, usually a Toastmaster more experienced than the speaker, provides feedback. This takes the form of an impromptu speech and the objective is to give suggestions on how to improve future speeches because feedback is essential to learning.

For many people the “Table Topics” part of a meeting is the most frightening, yet this is also of the greatest benefit for those wanting to improve how they speak at work. In Table Topics each person is called upon to speak impromptu on a subject. If you’ve never done it before, delivering an interesting and well-structured talk to a group of attentive listeners without any preparation can be extremely difficult. Yes, the first time is hard, but it gets easier with practice, and that’s precisely the point. As Jean Schmidt says, “I used to be legally blind. Science gave me back my eyesight. Toastmasters opened my eyes. Now they can’t keep my mouth shut!”

Attend a meeting and you’ll find Toastmasters are more than willing to share stories of how Table Topics practice helped them at work. From explaining a project to a group of unexpected visitors to persuading colleagues to consider a crazy idea, being able to express thoughts clearly is essential to being viewed as both confident and competent. Roger Wells will tell you how Table Topics saved his dad’s life when with no preparation he had to convince medical authorities to hospitalize his dad at once.

You can learn these skills and more in a supportive, self paced, fun atmosphere at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters. Join us at our Open House September 9, 2010 at 6:45am or at any of our regularly scheduled meetings.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
7:00am – 8:15am

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is hosting their annual Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction on October 2nd. Here are all the details:

Join the fun on Saturday October 2 from 6:00 to 11:00 PM, at the Normandy Park Cove, for an authentic Bavarian festival. The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence (HSFFE) is once again hosting an Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction to raise funds for the Arts and Middle & High School Athletics. HSFFE is partnering with the community to support the Brat Trot a family fun run and other fall celebrations around the Highline communities.

Traditionally, Oktoberfest marks the end of the harvest and is the preparation for winter. It was believed that a festival at this time would provide an ideal “relief valve.” The Foundation’s event is designed to be this “relief valve” and to build awareness about the work of the organization.

This year the Oktoberfest chairs are Chuck and Lisa Tuman and they have planned a wild event! Elliott Bay Brewery will again supply the beer, Dan “the Sausage man” House (Tin Room) the brats and Fernwood at the Park the ever popular hot potato salad (among other goodies). They are also bringing back Foremost DJ to rock the night away with tunes from every era, including the Chicken Dance! HSFFE is excited to have Mike Bishoff (Brat Trot and Cove-2-Clover race director) as our Emcee and Chuck Tuman as the Auctioneer for the 2010 Oktoberfest. They hope to fill the Cove with 300 community members and educators – so sign up early. One more note. . . Chuck and Lisa are working hard to bring back that 6’3” Austrian Yodeler with the initials MH!

This event is sure to be a festive and fun evening designed to bring community members together in support of our schools. HSFFE believes that strong schools build strong communities and a robust economy. The tickets for this over 21 event are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. You can purchase tickets at the Foundation website www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org or by calling 206.248.5196. Come early for happy hour from 6:00 to 7:00 they have discounts on beer and wine!

HSFFE was founded in 2001 with a mission of “providing Community Resources to help the Highline Public School Succeed.” HSFFE is the only 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting all 17,400 students in all 35 of the Highline Public Schools. The Foundation serves as a single point of contact for members of the community, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

Highline Public School District is one of the most diverse in the state of Washington with over 60% of the students on the free or reduced lunch program and over 65% students of color. HSFFE works to foster an environment that helps all students reach their highest potential. The HSFFE Board President, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom stated, “We want all students have opportunities participate in activities and to have an enriched classroom experience.” To this end, HSFFE raises funds to support: classroom grants that enhance the educational experience; provide scholarships to needy students for summer arts academies and summer science camps; support middle and high school sports activities; a discretionary fund for homeless students (to keep them in school); an annual prom dress give away for approximately 100 economically disadvantaged high school students; and scholarships to graduating seniors going to universities, community and technical schools.

For more information about the Highline Schools Foundation or to volunteer contact Holly Moore at 206.248.5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org

The White Community Development Association (WCCDA) is holding two “Social Media” seminars – the first will be Friday, Aug. 20th at the Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center’s Computer Lab from 1pm – 4pm.

If you’re a small business owner in the Dub-C and you don’t know what this newfangled “social media” thingy is, then these are for you. If you do know what it is, but aren’t sure what it can do for you, then these seminars are for you as well. And if you use it now but want to get better, then these are for you too.

Here’s what the WCCDA says about the seminars:

What is social media and how does it help your business? It is an online medium of which you use to connect to potential customers/clients/general public for the purpose of putting out the words and advertise your business.

It is like a simple internet’s website. In our business district, we already have some savvy social media users such as Full Tilt, Proletariat Pizza, Dubsea Coffee, and they will tell you that it helps them tremendously with their marketing and sale.

Social media accounts such as Facebook, Yelp, Group-on, etc. are all free of charge to set up and use.

This workshop will cover:

• Gain knowledge and awareness about online social networking
• Gain online social networking tools and resources
• Practice dissemination of information via online social networking
• Share tips and experiences on the internet that have worked for them
• Build a stronger community through online interactions

Teachers for the first seminar will be Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan. Jessica Estrada of Banyan Branch Marketing will teach the second (date and time to be announced).

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center CDA’s “Social Media” seminars.

WHEN: The first seminar is Friday, Aug. 20th from 1pm – 4pm.

WHERE: Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center Computer Lab,  located at 9720 8th Ave SW.

INFO: From an email:

Hello everyone,

Based on popular request, we are bringing you free social media training seminars.

What is social media and how does it help your business? It is an online medium of which you use to connect to potential customers/clients/general public for the purpose of putting out the words and advertise your business. It is like a simple internet’s website. In our business district, we already have some savvy social media users such as Full Tilt, Proletariat Pizza, Dubsea Coffee, and they will tell you that it helps them tremendously with their marketing and sale. Social media accounts such as Facebook, Yelp, Group-on, etc. are all free of charge to set up and use.

If you think learning and using this kind of marketing is difficult, it is EASY but do require some time to sit down and learn.  We have two seminars for you. The first one is:

• Friday, August 20, 2010; Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  Trainer: Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan
  Location:
  Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center Computer Lab, 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

The CDA’s very own social media experts Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan will be on hand to facilitate and lead the workshop. Space is limited so YOU HAVE TO REGISTER! PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED FLYER ON HOW TO DO THAT!

The second social media training workshop will be facilitated by Jessica Estrada of Banyan Branch Marketing. Time and date to be announced later.

This past week the final boxes, desks, chairs and “all things academic” were unloaded and moved into Westside School’s new facility in the former E.C. Hughes building in nearby West Seattle.

The daunting task of moving an entire school took just three days, according to Admission Director David Bergler. Teachers have been arriving earlier than in past summers, anxious to set up their new classrooms. Westside School (www.westsideschool.org) currently offers classes from Preschool through 5th grade.

The school, formerly located in Arbor Heights, will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 7th at 4pm. The first day of school is the following day, Wednesday, Sept. 8th.

Here’s more info from our friends at Westside:

Westside School parent volunteers are giving up their weekends to help ready the new campus for students and families for the big ribbon cutting on Tuesday, September 7th at 4:00. Volunteers have been supporting the move with a variety of tasks including landscape work and setting up the new library. Pictured above is a group of volunteers helping assemble the new playground structure.

“One of the cornerstones of Westside School is the high value that is placed on a caring community,” said Bergler.  He adds, “That spirit of community can be seen in the tremendous support we have had from our families during our move.”

The Rotary Club of Burien/White Center recently awarded local winners of its 2010 Scholarships, which includes students from Evergreen, Highline, Kennedy and the Puget Sound Skills Center.

The club grants a student from each school for extraordinary community service with a “Service Above Self” award. 

The scholarships recipients this year were:

• Evergreen – Fabian Valencia and Mahlet Assefa
• Highline – Giovanni Torres and Dijana Raco
• Kennedy Catholic – Bridget Grotz and Mary Corbett

The Service Above Self Winners were:

• Evergreen – Nicolas Malagon-Lopez
• Highline – Michelle Wunch
• Kennedy Catholic – Cerice Keller

This year a third scholarship was granted to three sisters within the same family – the Corbett sisters are all graduates of Kennedy Catholic High School:

• Katie (2005)
• Mary (2010)
• Meagan (2008)

Congratulations to this year’s 2010 Scholarship Winners:

Story by Janet Grella with photos by Michael Brunk

Over 300 supporters of the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence gathered at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Southcenter on Friday, May 21st to celebrate the Tenth Annual Gold Star Awards for the Highline School District.

The highly supportive audience was also told that the foundation has raised over $1 million in its 10-year history. These donations have funded many opportunities for teachers and students that they may not have had otherwise.

Honored Gold Star recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator – Rick Harwood, Principal at Global Connections High School. Mr. Harwood was honored as he “embodies all the traits of a knowledgeable, dedicated, caring and hard-working principal. All his actions and energies are centered around creating kind, intelligent, thoughtful and action-oriented young adults.”

Outstanding Classified Employee – Jacqueline Faundez, Cedarhurst Elementary. The Gold Star committee found Ms. Faundez “an especially effective advocate for our students most in need, regardless of home language or background. As an ELL tutor, Jacqueline is a professional in every sense – good at what she does and continually striving to improve.”

Outstanding Teacher – Carlyn Roedell, Bow Lake Elementary. Ms Roedell was chosen as she is “the paragon of an effective teacher. She loves to learn and she loves to teach. Her students are inspired by her enthusiasm, joy, and hard work. The test results back up her success.”

Outstanding Volunteers – Klara & Braxton Dunn, Gregory Heights Elementary were selected due to “their dedication, belief in children, and high standards, which led them to introduce themselves and ask to help out ten years ago. They have a passion for inspiring youngsters.”

The last award in this annual fund raising event was for Lifetime Achievement and was awarded to Reba Gilman, CEO/Principal of Aviation High School. Ms. Gilman spent 16 years at Seatac’s Occupational Skills Center prior to becoming the first Principal of Highline’s Aviation High School. The award was presented by Tom Russell, Emeritus Trustee for the Foundation.

Musical entertainment included harpist Clara McMichael from Pacific Middle School and Mt. Rainier High School’s “Music Company” directed by Sara Stricherz. The guests enjoyed a wide variety of song and dance from this award winning choir during lunch.

The Master of Ceremonies was Peter Fewing. Besides being a proud Pirate and Highline High School graduate. Mr. Fewing is known around the Northwest for Peter Fewing Soccer Camps and his broadcast on 710 ESPN radio, talking about what else, but Soccer. He is also coach of the Kitsap Pumas.

Boeing was the Executive Event Sponsor. Event Sponsors included Rogers and Norman, Saint-Gobain Containers and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Photographer Michael Brunk assembled this slideshow with additional scenes from the awards luncheon.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The White Center YWCA Learning Center is offering a series of free web design classes beginning Monday, May 24th, from 4pm – 6pm.

This will be at the YWCA Learning Center Greenbridge, which is located at 9720 8th Ave. SW.

Here’s your chance to learn how to start your own website or blog, for no cost!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free web design classes.

WHEN: Starting on Monday May 24th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

WHERE: YWCA Learning Center Greenbridge / White Center, located at 9720 8th Ave. SW.

INFO: From an email:

Free Web Design Class at White Center YWCA Learning Center

Starting on Monday May 24th at 4:00pm to 6:00pm the YWCA Learning Center Greenbridge / White Center will begin holding a series of classes for people that are interested in learning more about how the internet works, how to write basic code and create content using blog software.

The class is designed for people that have basic computer experience that wish to learn how to create websites / blogs for their business or personal use.

Limited space is available on a first come first serve basis.

More info on the YWCA Greenbridge is available at their website here.

B-Town Blog Advertiser West Seattle Montessori School would like to let our Readers know that they will be hosting a Plant Sale this Saturday, May 1, from 9am to 2pm, with plants for sale grown in their own greenhouse.

West Seattle Montessori is located at 11215 15th Ave SW, Seattle.

“We would like to invite the entire community to come out and purchase plants grown from our greenhouse,” said Tara Requa, spokesperson for the school.

“There will be a coffee cart and lots of plant selection!” Tara told us. “Veggies and flowers both!”

From their website:

The sale includes: fruit and vegetables, flowering bedding plants, free potting soil, a Master Gardener on hand to answer questions, a Mother’s day craft table for kids, an espresso bar and bake sale, and entertainment from some of our middle schoolers. We will also be offering a membership to the “Friends of the Greenhouse” where for a one time annual fee supporters will receive a first option of purchasing special hybrid fruit and vegetables before the day of the plant sale, a discount on holiday wreaths, a biannual newsletter, their name on a scroll in the Greenhouse and more!

We hope to see you there!

West Seattle Montessori School
11215 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98146
(206) 935-0427

Website: www.westseattlemontessori.com

Westside School, technically located in Arbor Heights, but close enough to White Center to be considered “local,” is in negotiations with the Seattle Public School District to lease the historic E.C. Hughes School building at 7740 34th Ave SW, with hopes of starting the 2010-11 school year there in the fall.

“All the lease options for the inventoried Seattle Public School buildings were presented at the School Board meeting last night, and the vote will take place May 5th,” said Jana Riggin, Westside’s Director of Marketing & Development.

Here’s more info provided by Jana:

Westside School has put in a proposal to lease the E.C. Hughes building on 7740 34th Ave SW, and hopes to start the 2010-2011 school year in this new location.

Westside has been growing since 2006, and has outgrown its current location at 10015 28th Ave SW. Portable buildings have been the short-term solution, but the school is excited about this new building that has enough square feet to meet all its current program needs.

Next year, Westside will have about 230 students, grades preschool – 5th, and has not only run out of classroom space but also room for other important programs like PE, music and art. Currently, Westside shares its space with another independent, private middle school and both schools need more room.

The move to E.C. Hughes will give the needed space for all day PE classes, office space for our Spanish and Chinese teachers, and classrooms for music and art while allowing every classroom to be in one building and bring our community together.

Westside School’s current location goes back to 1993, when they made a deal with the Highline School District to take over the former North Shorewood School on 28th Avenue SW.

And now, like the 230 young kids they teach, they’re growing again.

On a personal note, Hazel Schaefer, grandmother of Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer, once taught Kindergarten at E.C. Hughes, and if all goes according to plan, Schaefer’s own daughter will be attending school this fall in that very same building.

[PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons]

The Evergreen High School Booster Club is holding a fundraising Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle this Saturday, April 24th, from 5pm – 8pm, with all money raised going to support the Evergreen Cheer Squad.

This is a perfect way to boost some serious carbs into yourself and your family, all the while boosting your local school’s cheer squad and stunt team.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Evergreen High School Booster Club’s Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle

WHEN: Saturday, April 24th from 5pm – 8pm

WHERE: Evergreen High School( located at 830 SW 116th Street). Dinner will be held in the cafeteria.

COST: Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each.

INFO: Food-Fun-Prizes-Entertainment.

Come down and meet the newly elected members of the 2010/2011 Evergreen Cheer Squad and Stunt Team.

On Wednesday (April 14), the Highline Schools Foundation released its list of nominees for the 2010 Gold Star Awards, with 27 names from 20 different schools in the district.

Gold Star Awards honor outstanding teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers in the Highline Public Schools, and all members of the school community were invited to nominate their peers. The entry deadline was April 1st.

Winners will receive a cash award and will be honored at the Foundation’s Gold Star Luncheon on May 21st at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact it’s had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of their major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for students.

The Gold Star Teacher of the Year will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.

Congrats to all the 2010 Gold Star Nominees:

• Carlyn Roedell, Bow Lake Elementary
• Lori Bento, Marvista Elementary
• Jeffrey Steen, Pacific Middle School
• Renee Gallagher, Odyssey
• Joan Johnston, Gregory Heights
• Dennis Storkson, Parkside Elementary
• Kevin Blaylock, Puget Sound Skills Center
• Nikhil Joshi, Aviation High School
• Jill Weseman, Global Connections High School
• Joanne Stevenson, North Hill Elementary
• Dena Sanchez, Cedarhurst Elementary
• Janie Marra, Woodside Campus
• Klara & Braxton Dunn, Gregory Heights Elementary
• Rick Harwood, Global Connections High School
• Linda Sutch, Hazel Valley/ERAC
• Kirsten Gunn, Highline High School
• Casie Fahiye, Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment
• Jeanne Stratton, Bow Lake Elementary
• Christopher Bookey, Technology Services/Southern Heights Elementary
• Janelle Hrisko, Midway Elementary
• Cheryl Jones, Midway Elementary
• Adriana Gonzalez, Midway Elementary
• Louise Faivre-Bavins, Midway Elementary
• Jennifer Fichamba, Evergreen Campus
• Jacqueline Faundez, Cedarhurst Elementary
• Stacie Huffman Lee, ECEAP
• Cynthia Gilbert, Health Sciences and Human Services High School
• Theda Hiranaka, Aviation High School

Here’s more info on the May 21st awards luncheon:

Simply titled “ten”, this year’s luncheon is May 21, 2010 at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact we’ve had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

Each year, four Gold Star Awards are presented to an outstanding teacher, administrator, classified employee or support staff and volunteer of Highline Public Schools. All members of the district and community are invited to nominate an outstanding individual. Winners receive a cash award and will be honored at the luncheon. The Gold Star Outstanding Teacher will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2010.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of our major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for our students. We look forward to partnering with you this year and hope to see you at the 10th Annual Gold Star Luncheon!

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 1999 with the purpose of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed. We believe that by helping to enrich the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level of learning, and the entire community will benefit. The Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of volunteer Trustees and is the only 501(c)(3) organization supporting all Highline Public Schools. The Foundation strives to be the single point of contact for community members, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

Please see the links below for more information on becoming a sponsor at this years Gold Star or to download the Nomination form. For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The Highline School District will be holding a food drive the week of April 26 – 30, with donations going to both the White Center and Des Moines Food Banks.

According to a release, each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

With the Feinstein Foundation Challenge still active, donations could effectively be doubled through April 30th.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact on the needs of our community members,” said Audrey Zemke of the White Center Food Bank. “The Alan Feinstein Foundation splits one million dollars in matching funds for all monetary and food donations through April 30.”

So parents, start scouring your cupboards for some extra food for your kids to bring to school.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline School District food drive.

WHEN: The week of April 26 – 30 (Mon-Fri).

WHERE: All Highline Public Schools.

INFO: From a release:

Help fight hunger! Did you know one in five families with children in our region does not have enough money to buy food?

During the week of April 26 – 30, you have a chance to help change that! Highline Public Schools will partner with the Des Moines and White Center Food Banks to raise food and funds for the hungry.

Each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

We can do this! Stamp out hunger in our community!

Bring non-perishable items…

OR

CASH! ($1 = $4 buying power!)

You can also donate online:

• www.myfoodbank.org (Des Moines)
• www.whitecenterfoodbank.org

Or send donations to:

Highline Food Bank
P.O. Box 66427
Burien, WA 98166

Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

Four years ago Washington State launched a project designed to bolster early childhood education by preparing preschoolers for kindergarten. Thrive by Five, a public-private partnership, was chartered to carry the plan forward.

On Saturday, March 27, the most visible product of the White Center Early Learning Initiative was revealed to the public with the grand opening of the new Educare Early Learning Center at 625 SW 100th Street in White Center.

Educare will provide full-day, full-year preschool and child care for 32 infants and toddlers and 102 preschool children ages three to five. Additional programs are available that provide services and support to parents and professional development opportunities for early learning providers.

The new learning center – part of a network of ten similar centers across the country – is supported in part by grants from Thrive by Five and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It will serve as a pilot project to test new approaches to early learning. If successful, the goal is to eventually replicate what is learned in the White Center project statewide.

Saturday’s dedication was well attended by politicians, business leaders, local educators and members of the community. After speeches and a ribbon cutting, the large crowd took advantage of the opportunity to tour the beautiful new 44,000 square foot facility. The building is LEED Certified for its environmentally positive design, and features natural light, airy classrooms, common areas and ample work space for staff members.

The children in attendance enjoyed art and music projects in the classrooms and spent time testing the outdoor play areas.

While it will take time to determine what affect this investment will have on education in Washington State, judging from the enthusiastic response of the children, the Educare Early Learning Center is already grabbing the attention of their future clientele.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the day’s events:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The tenth Educare Center in the U.S. has its grand opening in White Center this Saturday, March 27th beginning with a ceremony at 1pm and children’s activities from 2pm – 4pm.

It will be held at the Educare Early Learning Center, located at 625 SW 100th Street.

The entire White Center community and supporters of the Educare Center, including children and families, caregivers, funders, partners, educators, builders and state and local leaders are all invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Educare Early Learning Center.

Schedule:

• 1:00-1:45 pm – Ceremony: Opening Remarks and Recognitions
• 2:00-4:00 pm – Open House: Tours and Activities for Children and Families

The Educare Early Learning Center is located at 625 SW 100th St. Seattle, WA 98146. Click here for a map and driving directions.

From their website:

This is the 10th Educare Center in the United States, providing the highest quality early learning experiences for children and families.

Educare is part of the White Center Early Learning Initiative (WCELI), a partnership of community members and public and private organizations working to create comprehensive child development and family support services that reflect the diverse cultures, strengths, and needs of White Center families. WCELI provides education and support for parents, caregivers, and child care and early learning staff to help ensure that all children in the community begin school ready to succeed. The partnership is supported by grants from Thrive by Five Washington and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

White Center’s Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3), located at the old Evergreen campus, is one of four Highline Public Schools to be recognized with the 2009 Washington Achievement Award, which celebrates the state’s top-performing schools and recognizes achievement in language arts, math, science, gifted education, graduation rate, and overall excellence.

The four Highline schools to receive the award include:

• Aviation High School – Science, Overall Excellence (Des Moines)
• Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment (ACE) – Language Arts (SeaTac)
• Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) – Language Arts (White Center)
• Marvista Elementary – Science (Normandy Park)

The Washington Achievement Award was created by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. This highly selective award is based on schools’ performance according to the newly created School Accountability Index, a comprehensive measurement of how schools in Washington are performing over time. Schools are selected for the award based on their state assessment data for the previous three years.

“The selection process for the Washington Achievement Award is very rigorous, and your staff, students, parents, and community can take real pride in being part of this elite group,” said State Superintendent Randy Dorn.

“These awards show the progress we are making in student achievement,” said Highline Superintendent John Welch. “We have seen that when we raise the bar and hold students to high expectations, they meet and even exceed them.”

The award-winning schools will be recognized at a state awards ceremony in Renton on May 5th.

The Highline Schools Foundation is now accepting nominations for this year’s Gold Star Awards, which will honor outstanding teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers in the Highline Public Schools.

All members of the school community are invited to nominate their peers, and the deadline for nominations is April 1st.

Winners will receive a cash award and will be honored at the Foundation’s Gold Star Luncheon on May 21st.

Nomination forms will be available through school administrators and on the Foundation’s website: www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org, or you can download the form directly here.

The Gold Star Teacher of the Year will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.

Here’s more info on the May 21st awards luncheon:

Simply titled “ten”, this year’s luncheon is May 21, 2010 at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact we’ve had on the district. The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

Each year, four Gold Star Awards are presented to an outstanding teacher, administrator, classified employee or support staff and volunteer of Highline Public Schools. All members of the district and community are invited to nominate an outstanding individual. Winners receive a cash award and will be honored at the luncheon. The Gold Star Outstanding Teacher will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2010.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of our major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for our students. We look forward to partnering with you this year and hope to see you at the 10th Annual Gold Star Luncheon!

Please see the links below for more information on becoming a sponsor at this years Gold Star or to download the Nomination form. For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 1999 with the purpose of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed. We believe that by helping to enrich the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level of learning, and the entire community will benefit. The Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of volunteer Trustees and is the only 501(c)(3) organization supporting all Highline Public Schools. The Foundation strives to be the single point of contact for community members, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

If you’re not familiar with the Highline Schools Foundation, here’s a video: