MEREDITH HILL MESSENGER

Dear Meredith Hill Families,

Thank you so much for supporting your children by participating in the student led conferences! Parents attended in record numbers! The students did a wonderful job and we are all celebrating their successes. We also appreciate you completing the surveys and giving us your perspective of the effectiveness of this new method of conferencing. We look forward to the spring when students will again share with you their progress toward meeting their goals and sharing their portfolios.

Sally McLean, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, is predicting a substantial reduction in State funding for schools. Sally is seeking your input on the district’s budget for the upcoming school year, 2003-04. For the first time in almost 20 years, Federal Way Public Schools is serving fewer students. Projections for the 2003-04 school year indicate 500 fewer students will be served by the district. The district’s declining enrollment along with the possibility of losing Initiative funding from the State are some elements of the projected funding reductions. Sally is planning for an $8 Million reduction in Federal Way.

We can’t make an $8 Million reduction by taking across the board reductions. We must target specific programs for reduction. So, we need your input. We need you to help us brainstorm from every perspective the programs the District might consider eliminating. Sally has organized a committee composed of parents, staff, union leaders and management to review all suggestions for program reductions using the District’s Strategic Plan as the filter. Please communicate your comments/suggestions on the Input Form on the back of this page, or email to: budget@fwps.org. If you send the form to school with your child, we will forward it to Sally McLean’s office. Your input is needed by December 13^th.

I encourage you to be creative during this busy time of year to maintain reading a focus at home for your children. The special time spent with family members during the holidays can be a time to celebrate reading together and sharing books that the children and adults are excited about.

We appreciate your continual support of the Meredith Hill children.

Sincerely,

Cindy Kelsey

Principal

Transition Plan

The halls at Meredith Hill will look different next September when sixth graders move up to middle schools for the first time in Federal Way’s history. But the differences won’t be limited to fewer students. Meredith Hill, like elementary schools throughout the district, is making some important changes in curriculum and instruction next year. Why? And why now?

Every piece of the new plan for next year is being designed to improve academic achievement for our students. This is in preparation for 2006 when students must pass all four areas of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) as tenth graders in order to graduate. That’s the graduating class of 2008, this year’s seventh grade students. For example, at Meredith Hill, like all of the district’s elementary schools, third and fourth-grade students will loop with the same teachers, developing stronger relationships and enhancing learning.

Student-Led Conferences are another important piece of the transition. Up until now, parent-teacher conferences lacked one key player – the student. Student-Led Conferences, which were held recently at our elementary schools, encourage students to have more buy-in and be more involved in their own education.

They also encourage better parent participation. Surveys of parents following the elementary conferences showed overwhelming support for them. Of over 4,500 parents surveyed district-wide, over 90% of the parents polled said that this type of conference was beneficial to their students, and to them.

Research in schools across the United States has proven these kinds of changes help students do better in school, both emotionally and academically. What kind of results do we envision? Better-educated students, more involved parents, higher teacher satisfaction and safer schools. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved in our planning process, please contact Cindy Kelsey at 253-945-3200.

January 14^th Designated

Non-School Day

The Federal Way Board of Education has approved a change in this year’s school calendar, making January 14, 2003 a non-school day and replacing it with May 23, which was previously scheduled as a snow make up day. This means that there will be no school for students or staff on January 14. School will be in session on May 23, 2003. If makeup days are needed because of bad weather, those days, if any, will be added on at the end of the school calendar.

Education officials note that we are at a very important crossroads regarding state funding of education, and that a clear and powerful message needs to be delivered to the Legislature. The district has taken this step to allow staff to join colleagues from around the state – as well as Federal Way PTSA members and other interested stakeholders – in Olympia to help inform the Legislature about how essential their support is for the continuing health and vitality of our schools.

Immunization Update –

Please Read Carefully

Many students at school were enrolled on a “conditional” status with regard to immunization compliance due to the limited availability of the Diptheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DtaP, DPT, Td, and DT) vaccines over the past year. Vaccine supplies are now at or approaching normal levels, and, therefore the minimum requirements for school attendance have been reinstated.

As of November 1, 2002, students will have 60 days to receive any vaccines necessary to bring them up-to-date with state immunization requirements. Please ensure that your child’s records are complete regarding the DtaP/DPT/Td/DT prior to returning to school after the winter break.

Please be sure your child’s immunizations and records are up-to-date. Call the School Nurse with questions or concerns at 253-945-3209. Thank you.

New Health Law

There was a new law enacted in Washington State that will help your child’s school provide for the safety and health of children during the school day. This law, Substitute House Bill 2834, Children with Life-Threatening Conditions, took effect June 13, 2002.

The law defines a life-threatening condition as “a health condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and a nursing plan are not in place”. Children with life-threatening conditions (such as severe food or bee sting allergies), are now required to have a medication or treatment order and nursing plan in place before they start school. The medication or treatment order must be from the child’s licensed health care provider.

If a medication or treatment order is not provided, the chief administrator of the school is required to exclude the child until such order has been provided. This requirement applies to students with a life-threatening condition who are new to the district, and students who are already attending the school. Our exclusion procedures are in accordance with the rules (WACs) of the State Board of Education.

It is vital to your child’s safety during the school day that if your child has a life-threatening health condition that may require medical services to be performed at school, you immediately notify your school’s principal or school nurse. The necessary forms will be provided and a time will be arranged for you to meet with your child’s school nurse.

Please call Linda Russo, (253) 945-3200 if you have any questions or would like further clarification.

Updated Report Card

We are updating our elementary report card. The updated report card includes changes that the school board adopted to elementary grade level expectations. The cards are available in two formats. One format presents student achievement with letter grades. The other format presents student achievement in a scale.

We would like for you to look at the report cards and let us know what you think about the formats. Samples of the proposed report cards are available on the district website (www.fwps.org) or from the school office.

Informational meetings will be held at the Educational Service Center (31405 18^th Ave. South) for parents to learn more about the new report card and provide feedback to improve the card. The meetings are scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, and Tuesday, January 14.

Please contact Cindy Kelsey if you would like additional information about the updated report card.

Thank You Volunteers for the 355 hours of volunteer service given in November!

Dates to Remember

December

5 – PTA Wreath & Cookie delivery

4:30-7:30 p.m.

6 – NON SCHOOL DAY

9 – PTA Blanket Drive

12 – Cookie Day

13 – Report Cards go home

13 – PTA Winterfest, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

20 – S.L.T. Mtg., 7:30 a.m.

20 – Winter Assemble, 2:15 p.m.

23-Jan.3 – NO SCHOOL – Winter Vacation

January

6 – First Day Back from Winter Break

14 – NON SCHOOL DAY