HIV/STD Prevention

Curriculum Preview

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Educational Service Center
31405 18th Ave S
Board Room

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Federal Way School District would like the opportunity to share with you the HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum, which will be presented to students in grades 5 through 12.  This curriculum focuses on the transmission and prevention of the disease, emphasizing abstinence.  The district has adopted The Great Body Shop and KNOW for this area of study.

The AIDS Omnibus Bill (2SSB 6221) of the State of Washington which was passed in 1988 indicates the following:

Sec. 402: “Students shall receive such (AIDS) education at least once each school year beginning no later than fifth grade,”

 and

Sec. 402: “No student may be required to participate in AIDS prevention education if the student’s parents or guardian, having attended one of the district presentations, objects in writing to the participation.”

Curriculum used at each grade level will be presented from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in different rooms according to grade level so that you have the opportunity to preview the materials that will be used in your child’s classroom.

This presentation is for parents only.

I look forward to seeing you at the preview.  If you need further information, please call me at (253) 945-2780 or shaines@fwps.org

Scott Haines
HIV/AIDS Curriculum Coordinator
Federal Way Public Schools

~~~~~

Superintendent Search Listening Sessions:

We look forward to hearing what the community wants for their schools as we embark on this exciting journey.
In our search for a new superintendent, we are committed to building on our success with a process that is transparent, inclusive and efficient for parents, teachers, staff and the community.
Our primary search criteria for a new superintendent are founded on a commitment to academic performance, innovation and community engagement.

On behalf of the FWPS Board of Education I would like to invite you to the following listening sessions to be hosted by board members on the following dates:

• Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Decatur High School Cafeteria 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Federal Way High School 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

• Monday, November 9, 2009 at Thomas Jefferson High School 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Todd Beamer High School 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Please share this information with your school community. Place it on your web site, in your newsletters and if appropriate post it in your offices.

I encourage each and every one of you to personally invite the key stakeholders within your community: Students, staff and involved parents and community members. We want to hear from ASB, PTA, booster clubs, teachers, and all staff members - everyone.

These sessions are set up by high school service area, however anyone can attend any session that is scheduled at a time they are available to attend.

Looking forward to hearing from your community.

Suzanne Smith
President
Director District 2


Summer Success Camp - a reflection
written by Brian Graham, the Camp coordinator.

Todd Beamer High School staff and students recently held the 2nd Annual Freshman Orientation at Summer Success Camp. For four hours each morning, August 24th – 27th, the freshman class of 2013 came to their new school and participated in activities to prepare them for the transition to high school. The camp was planned and facilitated by Todd Beamers’ upperclassmen mentors. These mentors dedicated the month of August to prepare for the implementation of a brand new freshman mentor program for the 2009-2010 year.



The camp was one of the many parts of their new mentor program. Over 215 freshman students participated in this years’ Freshman Orientation at Summer Success Camp. Students learned goal setting, how to get around campus, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, how to get involved in school activities, and what is expected of them as high school students. “I facilitated the 7 Habits discussion,” explained Beverly Kariuki, a senior Executive Mentor in the Business and Industry Academy. “We discussed the importance of keeping your grades up because most mistakes can be prevented, and freshman year is so important to your GPA.”

The freshman who attended all four days of the program were able to get to know many of the upperclassmen mentors, which will help make those first few days of school a little easier. Kariuki continued to say, “I think that the freshman became a lot more comfortable with all the mentors and gained a lot of self confidence as the camp went on.”

Each day at camp had a theme. Mentors and freshman participated in the theme by wearing miss-matched outfits, crazy hair, and most importantly, showing Beamer Titan Pride! Although the week of camp was fun-filled, it was very productive. Angela Kisylak, a senior in the School of Global Leadership and Economics, shared, “My goal at camp was to help freshman understand that high school is about being in class, doing well and preparing for college… while having fun doing it!”

Although camp is over, the importance of the lessons learned and relationships made will continue throughout the year. Upperclassmen mentors will have 5 freshman mentees that they will get to know and mentor throughout the school year. Todd Beamer Principal, Liz Drake expressed her excitement about the start of the upcoming year, “Our goal as a school is to increase attendance and success in our classrooms, our mentors have put so much energy and heart into this program, we are already headed in the right direction,”








President Obama's Sept. 8th Speech information from Superintendent Murphy:

Here is the latest information regarding President Obama's Address to the nation's students on September 8:

1. If you have the technology and the time please arrange for students to hear/see the address.

2. Send home the following note with all students either Thursday or Friday of this week:

"Dear Parent/Guardian:

On Tuesday, September 8, President Barack Obama will make a televised live address to students across the nation. Depending on our availability of technology and the time of the address, your child’s class may be viewing this address and discussing the President’s remarks. If you have questions, thoughts, or comments please call me at ________________

Sincerely,

Principal...."

3. A Connect Ed call is not necessary.

4. Web site with information:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10582301/President-Obama%E2%80%99s-Address-to-Students-Across-America-September-8-2009

Thomas R. Murphy
Superintendent
Federal Way Public Schools
tmurphy@fwps.org
253-945-2010

Titan Yearbook Receives Honors!

The 2009 edition of the Todd Beamer Thunderbolt Yearbook, themed The Titan in You, received word today that it was awarded a Gold Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). This honor is given to less than 50 books nationally each year. The book was graded on five areas, Concept, Coverage, Writing, Photography, and Design. In three of those categories, Coverage, Photography, and Design the Thunderbolt earn All-Columbian Honors for outstanding work in a specialty area.

This is the highest honor a Todd Beamer book has received from the CSPA. The editor in chief of the 2009 Thunderbolt is current University of Washington student April Alfiler.