Puyallup School District302 Second Street SEP. O. Box 370Puyallup, WA 98371

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAIDD.N.B. CO.ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Volume 6:4 Published for Puyallup School District's Community Partners for a Quality Future January 2001

CONNECTIONSRHS senior gets taste of broadcasting careerStephanie Rushtons dream of working for a majortelevision or movie studio came true, at least forseveral days, over winter break.The 18-year-old Rogers High senior spent much of hervacation learning about broadcasting as she job shadowed

KING 5 weekend anchor reporterMimi Jung. Jung, who graduatedfrom Rogers in 1993, agreed to beRushtons mentor for the careerproject component of her seniorproject.

Rushton was scheduled to accom-pany Jung in the field on a storyassignment, watch her do anewscast, observe how stories aregathered each day, and see howmaterial is edited.

I want to learn how it all works. There is so much thatgoes on that no one thinks about or sees, says Rushton.

The teen asked Jung to be her mentor after the anchorspoke in October to this years graduating class of 700

Rogers High seniors. While admittedly nervous at first,Rushton approached Jung after the talk, asked her to beher mentor, received Jungs work phone number, thenfollowed up a month later with a call to arrange the jobshadowing.

While she is only required to spend 15 hours at thetelevision station, Rushton says it would be a waste tojust spend the minimum when you have this awesomeexperience. Rushton is interested in majoring inbroadcasting and minoring in theater in college.

In addition to her senior project experience, the teen alsois furthering her career goals through classes she is takingat Rogers High. She is enrolled in video productions,where she learns about basic editing and directing, drama,including serving as drama club president, and is direct-ing a one-act play, The Red Carnation, during DramaFest.

The senior project is great because its better than goingout into the world and having no clue what you want todo, she says. This gives you a chance to have somecareer experience.

NEWS SHORNEWS SHORNEWS SHORNEWS SHORNEWS SHORTSTSTSTSTS

IIIIINNNNN THISTHISTHISTHISTHIS ISSUEISSUEISSUEISSUEISSUEBoard reorganization ............3Senior projects .................6-7Food service automation ......9Technology ........................9Museum grant ..................11Puyallup Giftmakers ............12

Mimi Jung

Senior Stephanie Rushton works the videocamera at Rogers High School.

Karshner Museum invitescommunity to Family DayOral History Month is the theme of the February 3Family Day at the Karshner Museum. On March 3,

Picture Writers will be featured.At each event, families will enjoylistening to a story and doing aproject. Hours are from 10 am to2 pm and admission is $1 per

person or $4 per family. Call 841-8748 for moreinformation.

Schoolhouse tours set for schools,central kitchen, science centerThe February 14 Schoolhouse Tour will feature a tour ofFerrucci Junior High and Pope Elementary. On March 14, thetour will visit newly remodeled Rogers High School, thedistricts Central Kitchen, and the Science Resource Center.Tours begin with a short program at 9:30 am at the districtsEducation Service Center, 302 Second Street SE in Puyallup.Following the program, buses depart for the tour and will returnat 1:30 pm. Lunch is served; cost is $3. For reservations ormore information, call 841-8703.

Rogers rededicationRogers High School will hold a rededicationceremony to celebrate the completion of their $25million dollar remodel project on Sunday, February11, from 1-3 pm.The entire Puyallup communityis invited. To commemorate this event, alumni andfriends of Rogers High School are invited tocontribute or loan RHS memorabilia for displaysaround the campus. Those wishing to loan itemsshould bring them to the main office by February1, 2001.For more information, contact DianeScheidt at Rogers High School (841-8719).

Superintendent's messageSuperintendent's messageSuperintendent's messageSuperintendent's messageSuperintendent's message 2 January 2001 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICTBoarBoarBoarBoarBoard ofd ofd ofd ofd of Dir Dir Dir Dir Directorectorectorectorectorsssss

Gary LentGary LentGary LentGary LentGary Lent President841-1080

KKKKKarararararen Picen Picen Picen Picen PickkkkkettettettettettVice President

840-4438

KKKKKaaaaathy Afthy Afthy Afthy Afthy AfffffflerbaughlerbaughlerbaughlerbaughlerbaughLegislative Representative

840-1185

TTTTTerererererry Asbjornsenry Asbjornsenry Asbjornsenry Asbjornsenry Asbjornsen845-3760

Mindy TMindy TMindy TMindy TMindy Thompsonhompsonhompsonhompsonhompson848-1116

Susan GourSusan GourSusan GourSusan GourSusan Gourleleleleleyyyyy, Superintendent841-8769

District MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionDistrict MissionIn partnership with our families andcommunity, we provide all students thebest educational opportunitiesnecessary to reach their full potentialand become responsible, productivecitizens of good character.

Connections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PConnections Editorial PolicolicolicolicolicyyyyyConnections is published periodically bythe Puyallup School District as part of acommunications link between the districtand the community. Its intent and purposeis to provide the Board and district staff avenue to inform community membersabout programs, goals, and activities ofpublic education in the Puyallup SchoolDistrict. Please direct questions orcomments to Karen Hansen, Administra-tive Assistant to the Superintendent, POBox 370, Puyallup WA 98371 or telephone(253) 841-8703 or e-mailkhansen@puyallup.k12.wa.us. Re-sponses, as appropriate, will be provideddirectly to those who contact this office.

CoorCoorCoorCoorCoordinadinadinadinadinatortortortortor::::: Karen HansenEditorEditorEditorEditorEditor: : : : : Teresa JostenTTTTTececececechnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: hnical Assistance: Carrington, Ink!ContribContribContribContribContributing Wuting Wuting Wuting Wuting Writerriterriterriterriters: s: s: s: s: Susan Gifford,Penny Lent, and Chris Stewart

Puyallup School District No. 3 complies withall federal rules and regulations and does notdiscriminate on the basis of race, creed,color, marital status, age, national origin,religion or disability. This holds true for allstudents who are interested in participatingin educational programs and/orextracurricular activities. Inquiries regardingcompliance procedures may be directed tothe district's Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer(Assistant Superintendent of HumanResources) and Section 504 Coordinator(Director of Employee Relations) at 302Second Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372.Phone: 841-8764.

Working together in support of children

Susan GourleySuperintendent

As a new year begins, I like to reflect onpast accomplishments, both personal andprofessional, and think about the opportu-nities that lie ahead. As I reflect on ourdistricts achievements, one notableachievement comes to mind.

In 1996, with broad-based participationfrom parents, business, community,students, staff, and board members, ourdistrict's strategic plan was created. Thisplan provides us the framework necessaryin our quest for educational excellence forall of our students. Since the strategicplans adoption, the focus has not wa-vered: Ensuring that all students beprovided the best educational opportuni-ties necessary to reach their full potentialand become responsible, productivecitizens of good character.

During the six months I have served assuperintendent, I am proud to say Iveobserved that we continue to be focusedand on track in achieving the goals setforth in the strategic plan. Our studentsare working hard and their test scoresindicate they are achieving more. Our

parents and communities who provide theessential building blocks needed forhealthy developmentacademically,socially, physically, and emotionally.

These building blockssome call themdevelopmental assetsare the attributesthat all children need to grow upcompetent, caring, and healthy. Theyinclude such things as family support,caring neighborhoods, parental involve-mentall have a powerful effect on thelife of a child. When present, theseassets protect young people from at-riskbehaviors and, more importantly,promote positive behaviors. Simplyput, the more assets a child has, themore likely he or she is to engage inpositive behaviors.

As we work together, we are buildingthese protective assets for our childrenand this makes a tremendous difference intheir success. Thank you for yourongoing support of our district and yourcommitment to our shared goals. Onbehalf of our students and staff, I wishyou a happy and prosperous New Year.

staff is devoted to providing the bestinstructional program for each child andtheir classrooms reflect their dedication.Our parents and community members arecommitted to providing the encourage-ment needed for student success and theirinvolvement in our schools and class-rooms supports their beliefs.

Regardless of whether I am meeting withstudents, staff, parents, communityleaders, or members of the faith commu-nity, I find that all of us are committed tothe success of our children. Successfulchildren are the success stories of caring

Fifteen Rogers High School studentsrecently attended a conference atthe University of Washington. Theevent provided an opportunity forgifted African American students tomeet student ambassadors, attend acollege class, and learn aboutcollege admissions. Activitiesduring the day focused on personalgoal setting and a presentationfrom Kipchoge Kirkland who isdoing research on thedevelopment of critical culturalconsciousness through poetry.Students also enjoyedperformances by the Unity StepTeam and the National Society ofBlack Engineers Dance Team.

Students visit UW campus

A message from the board Celebrating Children http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2001 3

Kendal Whidden, BryceAnderson, Anthony Vazquez,and Nicholas Moser, fourthgraders in Jaimee Reevesclass at Hunt Elementary,recently conducted a school-wide penny drive to raisemoney for Puyallup Giftmakers.Hunt students raised morethan $310.

Hunt studentssponsor penny drive

Upcoming boardmeetings:

February 12, 4:30 pmRogers High School

February 26, 7 pmPuyallup High School

March 12, 4:30 pmRogers High School

Lent takes the helmGary Lent presides over his firstmeeting after assuming his new roleas president of the district's Boardof Directors. Lent, who has been amember of the board since 1997,was elected president on December11 during the annual boardreorganizational meeting held atdistrict offices. He follows KarenPickett who moves to the role of vicepresident. Kathy Afflerbaugh is thelegislative representative.

Untold hours of volunteered work! Theresultsa definitive, carefully prioritized,12-year plan for facility and technologyneeds in the Puyallup School District.And there is more.

For the first time in district history, yourBoard has approved a long-range fundingplan that is designed to:�� keep tax rates level far into thefuture, and therefore��make taxes predictable far into thefuture��balance educational needs withcommunity resources��provide ongoing accountability to ourcommunity.

Further, as our constituents have re-quested, we have established a bondelection timeline for this long-range planwith bond elections in 2001, 2005, 2009,and 2013. No more surprise bondelections, and no more peaks andvalleys in tax rates. The timeline wasdeveloped to ensure that, as each one ofthese elections approaches, previous bonddebt from prior elections will be retired sothe tax rate will remain constant.

This is an exciting time for the PuyallupSchool District. On behalf of all membersof the board, I want to thank our communityand staff members who have dedicated theirtime to the development of these thoughtful,responsible approaches to meeting theneeds of our students.

TerryAsbjornsenPuyallup SchoolBoard Member

The members of CFAC spent tons ofhours studying and evaluating informationabout existing school buildings, athleticfields, and all other district facilities.They visited sites, studied enrollmenttrends, and evaluated staff recommenda-tions. They listed all the existing needsand projected future facility requirements.To borrow a phrase, No stone was leftunturned.

When the work of the CFAC was nearcomplete and in compliance with ourstrategic plan, another citizens committeewas formed. The Technology AdvisoryCommittee (TAC) was charged with theresponsibility to develop a plan tointegrate instructional technology through-out our schools. They, too, spent tons ofhours developing plans to ensure thattechnology is appropriately includedwithin all areas of the district.

Two committees and scores of people!

About five years ago, your school boardadopted a strategic plan designed toprovide a road map for the education ofPuyallup School District students.Scores of district citizens and staffcollectively volunteered hundreds ofhours in developing that plan. Theresult was a document that, sinceadoption, has guided board and staffdecisions on curriculum, facilities,community involvement and virtuallyevery other phase of providing educa-tional opportunities for our students.

In addition to the instructional goals, thestrategic plan calls for long-range planningin regards to facilitiesspecifically in theareas of new construction, replacement,modernization, and building maintenance.It calls for the integration of technologythroughout all systems in the districtinstructional as well as business, facilities,and others. Most importantly, the planprovides direction to . . . engage andactively involve parents and communitymembers . . . Action was needed; actionwas taken!

Almost two years ago, your boardauthorized the formation of the Commu-nity Facilities Advisory Committee(CFAC)a committee involving approxi-mately 36 community members. Theirtask was to develop a long-range plan forfacilities needs as set forth in Goal 4 ofour Strategic Plan. And what a great jobthey did!

Funding plan responsive to community

School ChoiceOut of district students who wish toattend a Puyallup School District schoolfor the 2001/2002 school year need tosubmit a release from their residentdistrict to Tony Apostle, Director ofAdministrative Services, by March 1,2001. This is an annual process thatmust be completed whether you arealready attending a Puyallup SchoolDistrict school or not. For moreinformation, call (253) 840-8811.

In-district students who wish to choiceto a school other than their attendancearea school for the 2001/2001 schoolyear need to submit their Intra-DistrictTransfer Application by March 1,2001. High school students submittheir application to Carolyn Stella,Executive Director for SecondaryEducation, and junior high students totheir resident school principal. This isan annual process that must becompleted whether you are already ona waiver or not. For more informa-tion, call (253) 841-8771.

4 January 2001 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

Rogers senior aspires to serve the nationShe has acted in and directed schooldrama productions, served as an officer ormember of numerous school clubs andorganizations, helped with a variety ofcommunity service organizations, attendedlocal and nationwide leadership confer-ences, encouraged a respect for diversityin schools and the community, and is thisyears African-American Heritage Prin-cess.

Kelley Calvins resume spans three pages,only that just begins to tap into the energyand aspirations of this 17-year-old RogersHigh senior. Calvin already has her futuremapped out, including plans to major ininternational business and minor inJapanese, get a masters degree in reli-gious communications, then follow with adoctorate in theater and directing. Shesays she wants to start a Christian enter-tainment business in Japan and Americaand one day, truthfully, be president ofthe United States.

For now, Calvin is busy this monthdirecting a one-act play, The People inthe Glass Paperweight, in the schoolsdrama department. The 17-year-old hasbeen active in drama productions the pastfive years, including roles in Oklahoma,South Pacific, and Toys in the Attic. Sheis president this year and was instrumen-tal in organizing the InternationalThespian Society. The club is made upof nearly 25 Rogers students who meetbefore or after school to learn more aboutacting and other aspects of drama, as wellas to plan performances for the schooland community.

In February, Calvin will represent RogersHigh at the African-American Heritagepageant, where she will vie for queenalong with other seniors from high schoolsin Puget Sound. The pageant will includea talent competition, a question-and-answer session, and a review of how eachcontestant completed 30 hours of commu-nity service.

Calvin also has been active in teachingothers to respect diversity, first at FerrucciJunior High as a member of Students andTeachers Against Negative Discrimination,then in high school as a member of Students

Edgemont studentattends conferenceJolynn Rawson and 19 peers fromjunior and senior high schools state-wide met withten internationalstudents fromthe Universityof Washingtonrecently todiscuss world-wide issues andgain a betterunderstandingof their differ-ent cultures.

Rawson and fellow Edgemont JuniorHigh student Casey Johnson spent twoSaturdays at the university in Octoberas part of the Global Perspectivesprogram. Global Perspectives bringsstudents face-to-face with people who,through their various cultural back-grounds, have different perspectiveson issues ranging from the role offamily to the relationship betweencitizens and their government.

International students participatingfrom the university representedcountries including India, Norway,South Africa, Japan, Venezuela, Chili,Kenya, and the Netherlands. Americanstudents paired with internationalstudents to hold a mock UnitedNations meeting and discuss impres-sions of this country. Issues discussedincluded peacekeeping efforts,divorce, health care, war, education,poverty, and efforts to save therainforest.

In addition to being selected to attendGlobal Perspectives, Rawson issecretary of the school band counciland plays flute in concert band. Shealso is a member of the poster spiritcommittee, played soccer and tracklast year, and recently organized aneighborhood clean up with five of herfriends. An active reader andsnowboard enthusiast, the 14-year-oldplans a career in medicine or socialservices.

Jolynn Rawson

and Teachers Advocating Respect. Thispast summer she was one of 50 studentsselected nationwide to attend the 2000Black Issues Forum at Colorado StateUniversity. She says the four-day confer-ence focused on discussion of issues facingAfrican Americansin this country. Shealso attended a oneday Young, Gifted,and Black confer-ence in November atthe University ofWashington, andwas chosen as oneof this districtsstudent representa-tives to be inter-viewed about diversity.

The teen also is in her second year as amember of the French Club, has been inHonor Society the past five years, and hascompeted on the varsity track team thepast three years. She served this fall aschair of the Homecoming Committee incharge of halftime entertainment.

In past years she has: danced on the

Rogers dance team; participated in concertchoir, swing choir, concert chorus, andChoraliers; been selected by her peersthe past two years as a Natural Helpertrained to help counsel fellow teens inworking out their problems; been amember the past two years ofSuperfriends, a club that promotesmaking students happy through cards orother tokens of friendship; been se-lected as one of Rogers High represen-tatives in last springs school districtCelebration of Success program; servedon the selection committee for thisdistricts new superintendent, andattended Girls State 2000, where sheand other juniors from throughout thecountry met last spring to learn aboutpolitics and government.

Her community involvement includeshelping with United Way, HealthyMothers, Healthy Babies, and BigBrothers, Big Sisters. She also is activein her church youth group, enjoysreading Shakespeare and watching oldmovies and musicals, and likes to goinner-tubing, running, and shopping.

contributed by Susan Gifford

Kelley Calvin and Katie Wilson study the script for a recent dramaproduction at Rogers High School.

Kelley Calvin

Celebrating Children http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2001 5

The Viking Vanguard, Puyallup HighSchools student newspaper, has beennamed a 1999-2000 national NewspaperPacemaker for excellence in scholarshipjournalism.

All the late nights and hard work provedworth the effort, PHS senior and currenteditor-in-chief Kyle Arnold said.

The newspaper received the prestigiousaward in November at the NationalScholastic Press Associations (NSPA)national high school journalism conven-tion in Kansas City, Missouri. Theconference was attended by approximately200 schools and 4,300 students.

The Vanguard was one of three Washing-ton student publications recognized as aPacemaker. This award is equivalentto a high school Pulitzer Prize, accordingto NSPA officials.

PHS studentnewspaper earnsnational award

Puyallup High School seniors Josh Folkand Gina Hodgkiss were recently selectedas local honorees for The Prudential Spiritof Community Awards. They were selectedbased on their initiative, effort, impact andpersonal growth through service to theircommunity. Each will receive a certificateof achievement and advance to the statelevel where a top high school volunteer willbe selected.

Allison Ampe, Puyallup High School, andFred Eastman, Rogers High School, havebeen selected to be the Hugh OBrien YouthLeadership representative for 2001. Thestudents were selected based on theirleadership ability, personal incentive,sensitivity to others, and a desire tocommunicate with their peers. They willrepresent their respective schools at theHOBY Leadership Seminar in May 2001.

Ryan Funk was named the Rogers HighSchool Toyota Community Scholar. He was

Local students earn numerous awardsselected based on his commitment toacademic excellence and a willingness tocontribute to the betterment of his schooland community. Only one nominee isaccepted from each school.

Kyle Evans, Rogers High School, is thenominee for the Principals LeadershipAward. One senior per school may benominated. Criteria for the award includesleadership skill, participation in serviceorganizations and clubs, achievements in thearts and sciences, employment experience,and academic record. He will receive acertificate and the opportunity to competefor one of 150 national scholarships with$1,000 each.

Kelley Calvin has been recognized forscoring in the top five percent of more than110,000 Black Americans based on her1999 PSAT/NMSQT scores. She is a 2001National Achievement Scholarship Programparticipant.

Puyallup High School students KevinKaukl, Michael Poffenberger, JacobWaltier, and Benjamin Zeiger, and RogersHigh School students Bruce Dibello, ScottPhillips, Abe Vanelswyk, and CrystalRoot, have been selected as National Meritcommended students. They are recognizedfor their exceptional academic promise,scoring in the top five percent of more thanone million students who entered the 2001Merit Program by taking the 1999 PSAT/NMSQT.

Kevin Cogger, Puyallup High School, andBen Jarvis, Rogers High School, have beenselected as National Merit semifinalistsbased on their 1999 PSAT/NMSQT scores.Fewer than one percent of the nations highschool seniors are named semifinalists.Semifinalists have to opportunity to advanceto finalist standing, based on their outstand-ing high school academic record, SATscores, and recommendations from theirschool.

Governor honorsPHS Concert ChoirOn December 6, the Puyallup HighSchool Concert Choir was honored inOlympia as Governor Gary Lockeproclaimed it to be Puyallup HighSchool Concert Choir Day. The choirhas been selected to represent the stateof Washington in Washington DC at theNational Festival of States which willbe held in April. The choir is directedby Peggy Burrough.

PHS student createswinning posterEach year the Washington Associationof Foreign Language Teachers(WAFLT) sponsors a poster contest topromote the study of World Lan-guages. Last March, students atPuyallup High School worked in theirworld language classes to createposters advertising the celebration ofAprils World Language Week.

Puyallup High School student KeeganMoon was one of the three studentschosen to represent PHS at the statecontest. Keegans poster speaks to thetheme 2000: A Language Odyssey.

Walker students surpass goalsPictured above students Lehman Baker (left) and Joshua Whitneypack items for distribution. Walker High School students farexceeded a goal in their recent food drive. The students, whohad hoped to collect 3,500 items of food, gathered more than4,270 items and $137 in cash. Coordinator Kenneth Clack said,We are all very pleased with the efforts of our students ... from astudent body of approximately 250 students, this is outstanding!

6 January 2001 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

Senior projects help students prepare for the futureEach year at this time, seniors across thedistrict are busy lining up community

service hours, jobshadowing peoplein careers ofinterest, preparingextensive researchpapers, andorganizing portfo-lios with resumes,cover letters, andexamples of theirbest work fromhigh school.

This year-long effort, which seeks tobuild a bridge for students betweeneducational skills and their relevancy inthe real world, is referred to simply as thesenior project and is required for every

senior to graduate.

The senior project prepares students forthe next steps in college, the workplace,or home, says Carolyn Rose Stella, EdD,executive director of secondary educa-tion. Stella adds the project givesstudents confidence to talk in front ofpeople other than their peers, completepapers that meet recognized researchstandards, and explore the future withcommunity based projects in businesses,government offices, and non-profit orservice organizations.

One of the most exciting aspects of theproject is doing the community service,says Alison Stephan, senior boardsadministrator and an English teacher atPuyallup High. Community experience

gives them an opportunity to think ofother people besides the school andthemselves and how to make the world abetter place.

Depending on the high school, studentseither tie their eight to ten page researchpapers directly to their volunteerexperiences or they research othertopics of interest. In English classes,students are taught how to research atopic and record their findings. Thisinstructional process includes pre-writing, gathering evidence, writing,revising, editing, and formatting skillsthat are key to any research paper.

Student portfolios usually consist of athree-ring binder containing examplesof student writing, photographs, or

Carolyn Stella

other work seniors are proud of, as wellas resumes, cover letters, letters ofrecommendation, evaluation forms, andtheir research papers.

These portfolios are often displayed forthe community, staff, and students toview in spring.

The final phase of the senior project is a10-minute presentation each springbefore a panel of staff and/or commu-nity members. Students speak abouttheir projects, using visual supports,then respond to questions from thepanel. This is like an exit interview,says Stephan. Its a chance for studentsto think about all the knowledge theyhave gathered and talk about how theywill use it in their lives.

Nikki James is certain she wants to be involved inthe medical field, so for her senior project theWalker High senior has arranged to job shadowtwo nurse practitioners at a cardiac study center inTacoma.

James, who moved here last year from Arkansas, wasraised among a family of doctors, nurses, andhospital administrators, so it only comes natural, shesays, that she wants to pursue that career. While thejob shadowing is a first step and a requirement tofulfill her senior project, she also has researchedwhat she needs to do to enroll next September in thelicensed practical nurse program at Bates TechnicalCollege. After she receives her LPN license, sheplans to continue four to six additional years ofschooling to become a nurse practitioner.

I enjoy helping people, and in some cases may beable to save their lives, says James. Im not sureexactly what kind of nurse practitioner I want tobe, but this experience in Tacoma should help meget a perspective on the field. While she is onlyrequired to spend 15 hours volunteering in thecommunity or job shadowing, she says she wants to stayat the cardiac center as many hours as possible to learnthe most she can from the experience.

The 18-year-old says she is determined to do well withher schooling and career because she wants her 2-year-

old son, Jozef, to grow up living a comfortable, happylife. Her dedication and attitude is reflected in hergrades, she says, adding last quarter she earned straightAs for the first time since first grade.

In addition to her job shadow experience, James will

soon begin writing her research paper. She plans tofocus on nurse practitioners, drawing from herexperience in Tacoma.

Since school started, she and other seniors havereceived instruction in an Occupational Planning andTraining class on how to write resumes and coverletters, as well as how to fill out job applications.

James also has taken steps to begin organizing herportfolio. On a recent afternoon she sharedseveral pieces of writing and her resume, whichshe has tucked neatly in a folder. I feel goodknowing I am doing so much so early. This way Ican feel comfortable and not leave everything tothe last minute.

In addition to medicine, James is interested incomputers and design. She has taken severalclasses in this field, including keyboarding,desktop applications, web page design, andcomputer presentations.

The senior is also interested in photography andscrapbooking and is making a memory book about herand her sons life. She also enjoys volunteering in thecommunity, and often helps at her sons daycare/preschool. Last month she sang in the Living NativityChoir at Victorian Country Christmas.

Walker student plans to job shadow nurse practitioner

Nikki James completes an activity in preparation forher senior project.

Celebrating Children http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2001 7

PHS senior plants new growth at Mt. RainierMiriam Weinrich spent three full daysthis past summer digging holes in cold,hard dirt and filling them with morethan a thousand native plants in an areaformerly used as a campground on Mt.Rainier.

This was an opportunity, she says, to doher small part to help reforest an area

trodden and, insome placescompletelybarren, fromcampers whopitched tents anddestroyed naturalvegetation withfoot and vehicletraffic.

It was a goodfeeling to see the

barren areas first, then see the plantsand fresh things growing and know theywould be there for a long time andrestore the area to what it used to belike, she says.

This 17-year-olds concern for theenvironment is the focus of her seniorproject this year at Puyallup High.Weinrich and two other seniors, ElizabethTemus and Kristin Hansen, hiked nearlytwo miles every morning to the planting

Elizabeth Temus (left), Miriam Weinrich (center), and Kristin Hansenwork on a reforestation project on Mt. Rainier.

area near Sunrise. They were joined byseveral other unpaid volunteers andsupervised by a park ranger, who taughtthe students about different fauna anddescribed his career both at Mt. Rainierand at other national parks.

Toting her journal in her backpack,Weinrich recorded plant names and herimpressions of her community experi-

ence each of the three days. She andher two friends worked from 9 am to 4pm before returning to nearby WhiteRiver Campground, where they tentcamped for two nights.

The girls roasted hot dogs and marsh-mallows and hiked along the ridge atsunset after a long days work.In some areas the ground was really

hard, and it was pretty cold in the morn-ing, she says. We had to sit on theground and used shovels and hoes toloosen the dirt and dig the holes a halfinch deeper than the dirt level of theplants so they would survive the winterfreeze. I think this was a good opportu-nity to understand the meaning of serviceand how you can learn from and benefitfrom others.

For her senior project research paper,Weinrich related the topic of her summerexperience by writing about globalwarming and the need for individuals andnations to do their part to protect theenvironment. In one section of her papershe writes, Humans are destroying theirhome, the earth, under the misconceptionthat somehow it will repair itself. Theynow face a problem that will not go away:the greenhouse effect must be faced ifhumanity is to continue its temporalexistence on the earth. Environmentalissues need to be the main goal ofinternational and domestic policies.

Weinrichs career goals include studyingabroad, with a focus in internationalrelations and the Foreign Service. Shealso would like to work for the UnitedNations by helping in a refugee camp. Ilike serving people, and I want tobecome more culturally aware.

MiriamWeinrich

Its been seven years since KING 5anchor reporter Mimi Jung walked thehalls at Rogers High School, admittedlyprocrastinating about working on hersenior project.

After all, she was in the first graduatingclass required to complete the assign-ment, and she is quick to remember shewaited until the last minute to completethe work.

Her project focused on broadcastjournalism, and she still recalls the Bgrade she earned for her efforts. Sincethat assignment, Jung went on to intern

TV anchor tells students to enjoy senior projects

TV anchor Mimi Jung talks withstudents at Rogers High School.

at several radio and television stationsaround the state before ultimatelyreturning nine months ago to KING 5 inSeattle.

She told students how she job shad-owed two radio stations during hersenior project, one working with a discjockey and the other observing thenews.

Her words of wisdom for this yearssenior class? Dont procrastinate,she said with a grin to 700 seniorspacked on gym risers during a schoolassembly in October to launch the start

of their yearlong senior projects. Shealso encouraged them to have funwith the project and explore whatever itis that sparks their interest.

The senior project really did make adifference, and if I can motivate justone of you or all of you here today, thenits worth it, said Jung.

After her talk, Jung agreed to mentorsenior Stephanie Rushton, who isinterested in a career in broadcasting.Rushton was scheduled to watch theweekend anchor reporter at work overwinter break.

8 January 2001 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

Puyallup and Rogers students travel to GermanyNine students from Rogers and Puyalluptraveled to Germany this summer withFrau Becky Hagerman, German teacherat PHS. They are participating in GAPPor German American Partnership Pro-gram, an exchange program that givesAmerican and German students anopportunity to learn about each othersculture. The Puyallup School District hashad an exchange with LangenhagenGymnasium near Hanover for more than25 years.

The Puyallup students stayed with Germanstudents and their families. They attendedLangenhagen Gymnasium and learnedabout the German school system. In Aprilthese students will host their Germanpartners, who will travel to Puyallup withtheir instructor, Herr Peter Perrey, toattend school and learn about Americanculture.

While in Germany, the group visited Expo2000 in Hanover, Hamburg, the Rhineregion, Lake Constance, Munich andBerlin.

Participating in the German exchange program are (top row, left toright) Dustin Lawrence, Ben Erickson, Bill Beck, Tiffany Odell,Alexandra Edwards, (bottom row, left to right) Kim Kelley, KhristianKuhnke, Alicia Wright and Alicia Olson. Teacher Frau BeckyHagerman stands to the right of the students.

Students at several elementaryschools in the district learnedabout the election processthrough school-widepresidential elections onNovember 6. LeftLeftLeftLeftLeft: PopeElementary second graders

(left to right) Kaitlyn Hopkins,Kenny Bayer, and Tyler Postonshow their wait in line to vote.AboAboAboAboAbovvvvveeeee: Meeker Elementarystudents Haley Olson (left) andZach Bosen organize the check-in table.

PHS Culinary Artsstudent wins contestKarri Selby, a student in the PHSCulinary Arts program, won an essaycontest sponsored by The SeattleTimes, The Bon Marche, and King 5.Selby won a $1,000 US Savings Bondand a chance to job shadow one ofSeattles top chefs.

Selby will job shadow a chef from therestaurants Axis and Ponti. ShannonSteedman, the course instructor,Karris mother, and Karri were treatedto dinner by the restaurants owner.

Following My LeaderFollowing My LeaderFollowing My LeaderFollowing My LeaderFollowing My LeaderCooking is my passion, the kitchenmy arena, and I would love to spenda day with Chef Alvin Binuya.

My name is Karri Selby, a CulinaryArts student at Puyallup HighSchool. Since age 11, I have dreamtof becoming a chef. Some girlsgrew up with dolls or ponies; I grewup helping mom and dad in thekitchen. Where some teenagerswatch Beverly Hills 90210, I tune into Martha and Emeril.

I love the way chefs create anexpression of themselves- even ifits not their recipe. While manypeople believe cooking is easy, Iknow its really an art. Like agreat sculptor chisels and molds,a great chef uses his or her tools towhip or fold the ingredients withunique styles.

A junior, I have one year untilgraduation, when I will beginchasing my dream of attending theprestigious Culinary Institute ofAmerica in California and somedayowning a restaurant. Already, Iveworked through an internship andparticipated in cooking demonstra-tions at the Puyallup Fair. Follow-ing my leader, Mr. Binuya, would bean awesome experience, and wouldhelp me fulfill my dream of becom-ing a chef.

Students vote for president in mock elections

Celebrating Children http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2001 9

Specialists keep equipment workingFood Servicesdepartmentautomates systemThe districts Food Service departmentis working on the implementation of theSchoolhouse Software point of salesystem. In December, the departmentwent live at Puyallup High Schoolwith its first multi-lane system. Accord-ing to Food Service Director JudyJackson, It was a relatively smoothstart up. The customers got though theservice lines fairly quickly for the firstday, and they seemed excited to use thenew system.

The districts food service staff mem-bers are learning to operate the newsystem rapidly and like using thesystem. The software trainer com-mented that she had not had an installa-tion go so smoothly nor had theaccounting variances come out so closeon a first day installation before.Systems are now live at all secondaryschool locations.

Art Gulledge

Hunt students studyVietnamese cultureStudents in Jeanie Schneiders third-grade classroom were treated to a visitby two Vietnamese employees of IntelCorporation, Thuy Duong and TrangVu during September.

As children prepared to read AngelChild, Dragon Child from the districtsnew Open Court reading adoption,Schneider invited the women to visither classroom.

They shared Vietnamese pictures,books, and cultural objects with theexcited third graders. Next, theyreviewed Vietnamese vocabulary in thestory, and helped the children pro-nounce the words correctly. They thenread the story aloud to Schneidersclass. Having a better understanding ofthe culture helped the story becomemore meaningful to the students.

contributed by Anne Hoban

Did you Know?TTTTThe Sche Sche Sche Sche School District has:hool District has:hool District has:hool District has:hool District has:4,500 computers (3,000Macintosh and 1,500 PCs)900 overhead projectors829 televisions676 videocassette recorders514 cassette recorders78 camcorders50 digital cameras39 laser disc players

When first graders sit down withheadphones to listen to stories oncassette, or a high school history classturns out the lights to watch a video,there is nothing more frustrating tostudents and teachers alike than havingequipment malfunction.

Whether its repairing an electrical cordor replacing a hard drive, the district

has three technicalrepair specialiststrained to detecttrouble spotsquickly and restoreequipment toworking order.

The TechnicalServices Depart-ment, managed byArt Gulledge, haswitnessed a surge

of activity this fall with the opening ofEmerald Ridge High. The increasedvolume of computers and audio-visualequipment, combined with agingmachinery districtwide with difficult-to-find parts, has resulted in a 30 percentjump this fall in the number of repairrequests, he says.

While school districts similar in sizeoften have maintenance contracts orleases withrepair compa-nies, Puyalluprepairs all of itsinventory in-house, whichprovides quickerresponse timeand savesmoney, saysGulledge. Thedistrict alsosends its techni-cians to certifi-cation trainingso they can dowarranty work and be reimbursed forrepairs to certain brands of computerequipment.

In addition to computers and related

equipment, technicians work on a vastarray of audio-visual items, includingtelevisions, videocassette recorders,overhead projectors and screens,compact disc players, stereo componentsystems, and even a few record players.

The fix-it crew includes technical repairspecialists DavidHecker and DanielGay, and ComputerTechnologyCoordinator GeneSeibold.

If it costs morethan 60 percent ofthe replacementvalue to fix a pieceof equipment,including parts andlabor, the districtdoes not repair theitem.

Often schools will give the brokenmachinery to the technical supportcenter to be used for salvage parts.Were always looking for that one

piece, says Gulledge, adding thedepartment searches for hard-to-find partsin trade magazines, on the Internet, andthrough collectors.When a piece of equipment malfunctions,the teacher or on-site technical specialistat each school is encouraged to call theTechnology Support Center Help Desk at841-8600. From there, trouble ticketsare entered into the computer, and eachjob is given a priority for response time.Any malfunction that results in aneducational or a work stoppage gets toppriority.

To help prevent problems before theyoccur, technicians travel among theschools each summer to clean videocas-sette recorders, check bulbs in overheadprojectors, and perform other routinepreventative maintenance.

When not working on repairs, techniciansare often busy setting up and controllingsound or audio for school functions, suchas district school board meetings, openhouses, or special presentations. If theyneed help with the sound, we provide it,says Gulledge.

TTTTTop Leftop Leftop Leftop Leftop Left: Technical repair specialist David Hecker works on audio-visual and computer equipment. TTTTTop Rightop Rightop Rightop Rightop Right: Daniel Gay repairscomputer equipment.

10 January 2001 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

Skaters compete in championshipsWhen 14-year-old Elizabeth Mulvey takesto the ice, her love for acting and dancecombine to produce winning programs thathave earned her a display case full ofmedals and trophies.

Most recently, Mulvey competed in the2001 United States Junior National Cham-pionship in Colorado. The ninth grader andher partner, Chris Mims, a sophomore atEmerald Ridge High, were scheduled to icedance last month to Love Potion No. 9.

The Stahl Junior High student, who aspiresto one day coach young skaters and possi-bly be a computer programmer as well,skates an average of 25 hours each week.She leaves school daily for SprinkerRecreational Center ice arena in Spanaway,where she trains with up to five differentcoaches in jumps, choreography, and dance.Off the ice, she trains at the gym withweights and cardiovascular activities tobuild endurance and strength.In the five years since she has been skating,

Military linguistsvisit RogersOn November 15, the advancedFrench, German, Japanese, andSpanish students at Rogers HighSchool learned about putting theirlanguage studies to use in real lifefrom two military linguists who wereguest speakers. Staff Sergeant KevinStreeter, the U.S. Army Recruiter whoworks in Puyallup Schools, invitedSergeants Michael Eppers andCharles Fielden to tell the Rogersstudents about their language studiesand international experiences whileserving in the military.

Sergeants Eppers and Fielden had tobe screened for top security clear-ance, having selected interpreting astheir specialty. In addition, they werechosen to be in the Special Forces atFort Lewis. Both sergeants trained atthe well known military languageinstitute in Monterey, California.Courses there consist of total immer-sion in the language, including sevenand a half hours of instruction perday, while staying in the languageoutside of class.

The duration of the course dependson the difficulty of the language beingstudied, with those languages similarto English taking 23 weeks, and theAsian languages taking up to 60weeks.

Opportunities for adventures aboundfor these linguists who often travelmonthly to the countries where theirlanguage is spoken, sometimesbehind enemy lines. They meetmany interesting people for whomthey translate while they enjoyseeing the world. Sergeants Eppersand Fielden described the opportu-nities that open up for them asglobal citizens because they arefluent in another language, whetherthey continue with a military careeror pursue international opportuni-ties after they leave the service.

contributed by Bev Winder,Rogers High School teacher and

district world languages coordinator

Mulvey says she has perfected all singleand double jumps and is working now onmastering the triple toe loop and triplesalchow (both involve taking off andlanding on certain edges of the blades andcompleting specific revolutions in the air).Her success didnt come without lots ofpractice and numerous falls, she says,adding she still falls and occasionallycrashes into the sideboards. Its not easyrotating three times in the air and landingon one foot on one edge perfectly.

Mulveys awards are displayed in a glass-enclosed case in her bedroom, where twoshelves are filled with 14 trophies andmore than 40 medals. One of her favoriterecognitions, she says, was the GoodSport award she won at a competition.

This year, coaches from Puyallup and Rogers high schoolsfielded cross country teams and were pleased with their teams'level of success during the season.

At Puyallup High School, the boys team, under the leadership ofCoach Michele Mathay and Assistant Coach Mark Olafson,continued a phenomenal streak of highly successful seasons,having lost only seven times in the last 11 seasons. This year, theboys grabbed the championship of the South Puget SoundLeague South Division and finished third in the district meet andeighth at the state level. Individually, Joe Morgan and BenZeiger were recognized as First Team All SPSL. Named to theSecond Team All SPSL were Brian Madsen and Will Morgan.Meanwhile, the girls team placed fourth in the South SoundDivision. Katie Gallagher made First Team All SPSL andqualified for the district championships.

Academically, both teams were outstanding, Mathay said.Forty-four of the 72 student athletes involved maintain over a3.5 GPA, and 12 of the athletes are 4.0 GPA students.

At Rogers High School, coaches Steve Lynch and KebraThompson addressed the positive aspects of their recentseason. This year our athletes showed positive attitudes andgrowth in . . . maturity and character. Cross Country is a greatsport . . . where all levels of athletes can compete.

Cross Country teams finish successful seasons

The Puyallup Boys Cross Country team (left to right),Erik Hansen, Joe Morgan, Drew Konzelman, WillMorgan, Brian Madsen, David Flores, and Ben Zeiger,finished eighth at the State meet in Spokane

Despite working with roughly 50 percent of their usual numbers (dueto the opening of Emerald Ridge High School), the Rams still senttwo participants to state competition. The brother-sister act of Angelaand Derek Taylor performed admirably there; and while Derekgraduates, Angela plans to compete next fall.

contributed by Chris Stewart

Elizabeth Mulvey displays a trophywon in a recent ice skating festival.

Celebrating Children http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us January 2001 11

District staffreceive awardsEric Wuersten, Science CurriculumSpecialist, has received the honor toparticipate with the Office ofSuperintendent of Public Instruction(OSPI) in the development of thenew Science WASL. He will be partof a team of educators from Washing-ton State writing assessment items,performance tasks, as well as scoringrules that match our EssentialAcademic Learning Requirements(EALRs) and the item and testspecifications. Our district is trulyfortunate to have someone of Ericscaliber serving in the leadership role.Both teachers and students in thePuyallup School District will benefitfrom Erics assessment expertisegained from this experience.

Idona Kellogg, Family and Con-sumer Sciences teacher at EdgemontJunior High School, was honored atthe State Fall Regional Meeting forher outstanding service to the StateFamily and Consumer Sciencesorganization. Idona was responsiblefor the development and annualpublication of a state directory ofFamily and Consumer Sciencesteachers.

Russ Picha, Aylen Junior Highscience and leadership teacher andbasketball coach, was named one ofthree Unsung Heroes by ThePuyallup Herald newspaper. Pichahas been actively involved in thelives of his students since he beganhis teaching career more than 15years ago. Earlier in the fall, thenewspaper had asked readers to namepeople they felt deserved communityrecognition.

Picha was nominated by the ASBofficers at Aylen as they listed 23reasons why he is their unsung hero.One of the comments written by thestudents sums up the groups feelingsabout their Unsung Hero, He is justthe most amazing teacher andfriend!

Kim Veseys second-grade class at StewartElementary enjoys borrowing artifactsfrom the Karshner Museum which islocated next door to the school. Everyyear when we read 'The Three Little Pigs,'I borrow the museums butterchurn toshow my students what the pigs rolleddown the hill in, says Vesey.

The students also got to get up close andpersonal with some South American bugsthat they couldnt believe were real as theyexplored a unit on insects. And when theystudied dehydration and the process that agrape goes through to become a raisin,they borrowed the dried human brain fromthe museums storage room.

Its creepy, but cool, said the students.Vesey says that having the museum nextdoor is a real gift to her students. Sheplans to take many more opportunities toborrow artifacts to help enhance herstudents studies.

Students find gifts in museum

PHS guest teacher enjoys teachingPuyallup High Schools guest teacher from Shanghai GirlsSchool No. 3 Yunling Hu is visiting Puyallup as a goodwillambassador and teacher. At Puyallup High School, she explainsChinese language, culture and history in her classroom in thelibrary.

Each of the high school's guest teachers has been a masterteacher in his or her own right. In China, she is responsible fortwo classes of 16-year-old girls, each class numbering 45. In thefashion of Chinese schools, teachers move from room to roomand the students remain in their class for most of their subjects.Students are responsible for the cleanliness and attractiveness oftheir classroom. Yunling is the advisor for one of those twoclasses. She assigns one 400-500 word composition to all of herstudents per week.

The silver lining of this cloud is the font of wisdom, friendlinessand exuberance at the high school every year with the arrival ofthe new teacher. Each teacher adds new materials to the previ-ous years accumulationswhich is a good thing because theprogram is largely un-fundedthe Chinese government pays fortransportation, and occasional curricular and supply needs arefunded as they come up by the building, or by those friends atschool or at home who pitch in. The teachers salary is a $400per month with most needs provided by host families. This year,Gloria and Bob Banken are hosting Yunling.

The most difficult aspect of living in America, she says, is that it isdifficult to get a joke and to know whether someone is serious orteasing. Its hard to join in real conversation because our normalrate of speech is too quick for comprehension. I am treated so wellhere, said Yunling. Whenever I have a question, people go out oftheir way to help me. Everyone is very kind.

contributed by Margaret Wuersten

Conrad Hartnell (left) and Kelsey Mortonexamine the human brain.

Museum winsgrantThe Karshner Museum andthe Friends of the Museumwere recently awarded agrant to explore the possibil-ity of a pilot program withChief Leschi secondarystudents. The students willselect Native artifacts fromthe collection and researchthem for cultural andcommunity significance.

According to MuseumDirector Steve Crowell (whoco-authored the grant withdistrict ConstructionSupervisor Dave Johnson),This will be a greatopportunity to form apartnership between ChiefLeschi and the Museum.

12 January 2000 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Celebrating Children

Aylen students make cradles

DeWayne Crust

Students in three different subjects atAylen Junior High combined effortsand newly learned skills to producehand-painted wooden doll cradles andaccompanying mattresses for PuyallupGiftmakers, the districts program thathelps hundreds of needy families eachDecember.

In technology class, students simulateda manufacturing process as they builtnearly 60 wood cradles, learning skillssuch as sanding, drilling, and sawingusing equipment including band, table,and chop saws.

There was lots of teamwork as somestudents were in charge of qualitycontrol, others were in charge ofsanding and drilling, and others wereresponsible for inventory, saystechnology education teacherDeWayne Crust. Students tracedtemplates for the rockers and sidesonto wood, then sawed, drilled,assembled, and sanded the pieces. Allparts had to pass through studentsassigned to quality control, then toCrust for final approval.

Once complete, the cradles moved tothe art department, where students inCathy Piotrowskis and Marie Lynnsdrawing and design classes paintedbase colors and added upliftingdesigns such as rainbows, butterflies,rosebuds, cats, whales, clouds, andhappy faces. Students learned how touse acrylic paint, how to blend colorsand use complimentary colors, how topaint basic designs, and how touch uptheir work.

When I was a little girl I used to loveplaying with dolls, says 13-year-oldMegan Knottingham, who painted alavender base with a white dove onone side, and two puffy clouds on theother. The eighth-grader says shelearned that it takes lots of whitepaint, six coats to be exact, to cover apurple base, but said the extra effortwas worth making a child happy.

Piotrowski says she purposely let her

Aylen students (left to right) Ashley Fent, Megan Knottingham,and Robert Swigart display the cradles they made forPuyallup Giftmakers.

make wooden items for Giftmakers,but the first year that multipledisciplines worked together. Studentsthroughout the district help stock theGiftmakers store each year throughvarious efforts such as penny, toy,clothing, and book drives. They alsomake toys in several junior high andhigh school classes.

There were even some surprises thisyear, Crust said, like learning thatsome students participated in morethan one phase of the project.Robert Swigart built a cradle lastspring as an eighth grader, painted itthis fall in art class, then helpedhand out the handiwork to needyfamilies last month as a volunteer atGiftmakers.

The legacy of Aylen is its giving tothe community, says PrincipalMichael Prato. A school priority ishow can we blend the school andcommunity together, and this is anexample of staff combining efforts,students working together, and parentsand the community benefiting fromtheir efforts.

contributed by Susan Gifford

students have freedom in choosing andpainting their designs, because its funfor them to create and not haveboundaries. The only requirementwas to paint images appropriate foryoung children.

Down the hallin Family andConsumerScience class,students busilysewed mattresspads the pastfew months todecorate theinside of thecradles.Students, manyof whom had never used a sewingmachine before, learned how to sewseams, backstitch, press seams, stuffwith batting, and slipstitch a seamclosed, says teacher Deena Crust.Some students, like 13-year-old AllisonBain, took the project a step further andembroidered designs such as hearts orflowers on the stuffed mattresses.

This is the ninth year that DeWayneCrust has had technology students

Students create craftsfor Puyallup GiftmakersAboAboAboAboAbovvvvveeeee: Edgemont ninth grader SaraFarrish displays samples of the stockingsshe created for Puyallup Giftmakers.Farrish and her classmates in the LifeIssues, Culinary Arts, and Family andConsumer Sciences classes contributed143 holiday stockings and 101 snowmen"stuffers." At Maplewood ElementarySchool, fifth graders, under the directionof teachers Ann Valentine and Kim Hines,dipped more than 300 spoons intoflavored chocolate for stirring coffee,created more than 150 candy cane feltmice, and made 200 cinnamon ornamentsfor their Giving Tree program, andearned $340 dollars to be used to buygifts for underprivileged children.

RightRightRightRightRight:StudentsDominicDuncan,ElliotForslund,and MeishaKester (leftto right)help prepare chocolate spoons.