MEREDITH HILL MESSENGER

Changes in Gifted and Talented Education

GATE

What’s happening to the Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.) program for school year 2004/05?

All the existing self-contained and 5/6 GATE programs at Nautilus, Twin Lakes, Brigadoon, Lakeland, and Star Lake are being dissolved. Instead, each of the twenty-three elementary schools in Federal Way will have a GATE classroom.

Why the change?

There are a variety of reasons. The most important is the need to address the wide disparity of achievement between White and Asians students as compared to other students of color. Students of color are also extremely under-represented in our GATE and Advanced Placement classrooms. We also have a wide gap of achievement existing between students from higher socio-economic status and lower socio-economic status. To close the achievement gap, we must promote more participation in accelerated learning by all our students throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

What will the GATE classroom look like?

We are creating a GATE classroom composed of twenty-five third, fourth, and fifth graders. The classroom will reflect the economic, cultural, and racial composition of Meredith Hill as much as possible. Students will be in the class for the duration of the elementary years at Meredith Hill. Our GATE classroom will recognize, value and nurture all the ways of being gifted. Examples include reading, math, science, art, music, and leadership. GATE students will use their gifts to explore other kinds of giftedness.

Who will be the teacher of the G.A.T.E. class?

Barb Carson, current third grade teacher at Meredith Hill will be the teacher. Mrs. Carson is a veteran teacher who is trained and experienced in multi-age education. We are fortunate to have someone of Mrs. Carson’s caliber teaching our self-contained G.A.T.E. classroom.

Who can you call for more information?

Call me, Cindy Kelsey, at 253-945-3205. I’d be happy to answer your questions and research those I can’t!

Help for ESL Families

In order to enhance two-way communications, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program now offers VOICE mailboxes so that ESL families can call about attendance issues and/or any other concerns they hope to be addressed. Three interpreters will check messages twice a day at the following phone numbers and pass along messages as needed:

Spanish (253) 945-2473

Russian (253) 945-2382

Korean (253) 945-2472

Please pass this information on to friends who may not be able to read English, and encourage them to use these access lines as often as needed!

Chamber Education Foundation Celebrates

Celebrate literacy! The fifth Annual "Open Books, Open Minds" Literacy Celebration Fair will be held at SeaTac Mall on Saturday, March 20, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

There will be an art presentation for grades K-3rd. We will be asking students to present their works of art illustrating books that they have read. The art will be displayed for all to see, and judges will circulate to decide the art that best exemplifies a book or story.

Battle of the Books is an entertaining contest for 4th-6th grades. So how well do you remember a book you have read? Students for Federal Way Public Schools will demonstrate their knowledge in a Battle of the Books event. Though the real Battle isn't until May, we would like to offer the kids a chance for a practice Battle.

The Cheer Competition will be an exciting event. We are inviting all of the High Schools and Middle Schools in the Federal Way area to participate in our "Cheer for Literacy" competition. The cheer can incorporate our theme, but should be focused mainly around literacy, encouraging others to read. The performance should last approximately two minutes and may include double stunts. The cheers will even be video taped! We will have celebrity judges for each competition. The winning cheers and pictures of the squads will be printed in the paper and in the Education Foundation newsletter. The winning teams will also be awarded a trophy.

Meredith Hill Salutes

17 Special Employees

Meredith Hill joins schools across the state in its celebration of “Public School Employees Week” March 8-12. Almost half of our school staff is composed of these valued partners, who work with us in a variety of job categories to assure a quality education for our

students and families. We want to say to each of these employees, “We recognize and thank you for the outstanding work you are doing on behalf of our children!”

Mary Jane Henry Office Manger

Jane Arthur Secretary

Lynette Edwards Office/Library Clerk

Linda Russo School Nurse

Sybel Johnson School Nurse

Pat Dawson Paraeducator

Cindy Dean Paraeducator

Susan Hemmer Paraeducator

Trudy Briggs Paraeducator

Teresa Parker Paraeducator

Penny Copeland Paraeducator

Janet Currington Paraeducator

Cheryl Erickson Paraeducator

Harry Leonard Paraeducator

Anna McCully Lunchroom Server

Glenn Anderson Head Custodian

Hoang Vo Night Custodian

MARCH Calendar

4– Cookie Day

PTA End of Year Dinner 5:30

11– End of Second Trimester

Kilo Music Tour 10:15 - 10:50

12– Teacher Inservicemmmm

NO SCHOOL

15– Waiver Day

NO SCHOOL

16– ITBS Reading

18– Cookie Day

PTA General Meeting 6:30

ITBS Math

19– 4th Grade Field Trip

Olympia/State Capitol

Report Cards Go Home

25– First Grade Concert 7:00

26– Hula Day

April Calendar

1&2– Parent/Teacher Conferences

NO SCHOOL

5 -9 – Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Calendar Change

Due to school closure for snow in January, Federal Way Public Schools WILL be in session Friday, May 28th, and Monday, June 21st. The last day for preschool will be June 17th, and the last day for kindergartners will be June 18th. Please be sure to mark your calendars.

Kindergarten Registration Update

We will be registering students for Kindergarten May 3rd through May 14th. Remember to bring your child's immunization and birth certificate when you register. If you have any questions, please call (253) 945-3200.

Elementary

Choice Enrollment

Opens March 22 - May 10

The application period for 2004-2005 “Choice Enrollment” for elementary students is open from March 22 through May 10. All students who live outside the boundary of their neighborhood school must complete these forms if they have not already gone through the Choice application process and received a new permanent school assignment.

In-district elementary students’ choice applications are available at all schools and must be returned between March 22 and May 10, 2004. Applications should be sent or delivered to Paula Curtis at the Federal Way Public Schools Educational Service Center (ESC); 31405 18^th Ave. S., Federal Way, 98003. The elementary lottery will be held on May 17 at the ESC.

Out-of-district elementary students’ choice applications will be accepted from 8 a.m., April 5, to 4:30 p.m. on May 10, 2004. They will not

be a part of the lottery. Out-of-district students will be placed after the lottery on a first-come, first-served basis if space is available, before any other post-lottery students. For more information, contact Paula Curtis at 253-945-2013 or pcurtis@fwps.org.

March: Poison Prevention Month

Take time now to remind yourself and your family about the common and potentially hazardous products found at home, at school, and in the workplace. Familiarize yourselves with the Washington Poison Center and its 24-hour hotline staffed by pharmacists, nurses, and physicians, all trained to respond to calls concerning household hazards, drug identification, drug and poison effects, and chemicals in the environment. Always, prevention is of key importance.

Poison centers aren't just for people; we should take precautions to avoid accidental pet poisonings too.

In case of poisoning:

1. Call the Poison Center immediately: Toll-free 1-800-732-6985.

2. Confirm the poison involved.

3. As appropriate, either rinse skin, flush eyes or move to fresh air. ONLY if instructed, cause vomiting.

4. In the case of convulsion, coma and nowcaustics, DO NOT induce vomiting.

Information provided by Washington Poison Center

Preschool Registration

Preschool registration for new students will begin on March 16th from 10:00-4:00. Please bring immunization records, a copy of a birth certificate, and a $25.00 registration fee.