ICS student recognized for public service
Last summer, Smrithi Sukumar, a junior at International Community School was one of 57 teens selected from over 700 applicants for a summer internship through Teens in Public Service (TIPS). She interned at Faith in Action, a non-profit organization in Sammamish, that supports senior independence. At the end of her internship, Smrithi was awarded the "Jill's Angel Award" by Teens in Public Service for her "extraordinary compassion and understanding of working with and caring for the elderly" in her community.
Ben Rush fifth graders work with City of Redmond to clean up wetlands
Fifth graders at Ben Rush Elementary in Redmond have been working in partnership with the city of Redmond to learn how to recognize and remove invasive plants from the Redmond West Wetlands, located right next to their school. Parents and teachers have also been involved in the project, helping the students to plant more than 350 native plants along the trails. These students have logged over 344 volunteer hours towards this project. This project has tied into a special science unit on Forestry the fifth grade teacher team has developed. Take a walk along the trail to see all their hard work. Especially, check the northeast corner and inside the fence along the trail. The students also plan to do a maintenance visit in the spring.
Two Evergreen Junior High staff members recognized as ING “Unsung Heroes”
Two Evergreen Junior High staff members, teacher Robert Kaneko and librarian Shauna Yusko have been honored as 2011 ING “Unsung Heroes,” which recognizes them as two of the nation’s most innovative educators. They have received a $2,000 ING Unsung Heroes grant they will use to help fund their “Beyond Reading” program. They are among only 100 winners across the country that received this award.
The “Beyond Reading” program involves writing, illustrating and publishing. By combining multiple subjects including art, literature, math, science, technology and/or foreign language, seventh-grade students will design self-published children’s picture books. After repurposing their content of the book, recording audio books and creating eBooks, they will take field trips to five local elementary schools to share their work with kindergarten classes. Copies of the books will be selected and donated to the elementary schools to become part of the library collection at each school. Through this project, students have the opportunity to explore creative writing rather than expository or persuasive writing. They also experience the differences between traditional media such as paperback and hardcover books versus new media such as audiobooks and eBooks.
The goal of the program this year is to extend its reach into new areas opened up by devices such as the Apple iPad, Nook and Kindle. With the funds from the ING grant, Robert and Shauna will purchase iPads, microphones and other items to help make the goal a reality.
RHS student earns National Student Leader Certification
Andy Yu, a senior at Redmond High School, has successfully completed the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Student Leaders Program, earning national certification as a student leader. He is one of approximately 100 students in the nation to achieve this recognition. This certification is sponsored by the NASC and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Andy completed a series of required tasks and activities in order to complete the program and become a certified student leader. The rigorous application process involves the creation of a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates completion of a number of activities inclusive of modules on leadership, goal setting, team building, decision making, problem solving, group dynamics, time management and personal organization, meeting management, communication, evaluation, service, civic engagement and personal leadership philosophy. Applicants must also participate in an assessment meeting with their advisors and principals to verify completion of the requirements. Student portfolios are then forwarded to NASC for a final review.
Transition Academy gets a visit from Commissioner Sharon Lewis
Commissioner Sharon Lewis, a presidential appointee who heads the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) visited the Transition Academy on Thursday, October 27. Commissioner Lewis is visiting Washington to see why our state has outstanding supported employment outcomes for citizens with developmental disabilities. Commissioner Lewis participated in a student led roundtable discussion. In addition to asking Academy students who they are and what they do at the Academy, she asked about their hopes and dreams for their futures, as well as what support they needed to make those dreams happen. It was a very frank and at times heart wrenching discussion that left everyone uplifted by her visit.