Pathways: News and Information About Highline Public Schools

​If you are a parent or guardian of a Highline student, we want to hear from you. Please complete our parent survey. Your feedback will help us see what we are doing well and where we need to improve.

​If you are a parent or guardian of a Highline student, we want to hear from you. Please complete our parent survey. Your feedback will help us see what we are doing well and where we need to improve.

The results of our annual survey are tracked by school and for the district as a whole. We will compare this year’s responses to those from past years, and we will report our progress to you in this publication and on our website later this spring.

“We want and need feedback from the families we serve,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “Parents are the experts on their children. Students will be successful in school when we are true partners with their families. That starts when we really listen to what they have to say.”

You can access the survey here. The survey will be open until May 31.

​Now is the right time to enroll your child for kindergarten in the fall. Highline will offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all schools next year.

Now is the right time to enroll your child for kindergarten in the fall. Highline will offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all schools next year.

“Enrolling early ensures your child will be fully prepared to start school in the fall,” said P-3 Director Anne Arnold. “Early registration gives parents and students the opportunity to take part in various activities leading up to the school year which help connect students with their elementary school community.”

Schools offer a week-long transition program in August for parents and students called Jump Start. Early registration gives families the opportunity to attend back-to-school nights and other community-building events. 

Students with medical conditions that requires medication at school or other accommodations must have a medical plan in place before the child can attend school. Registering early gives parents access to help with that process and time to get the necessary physician information so children can start school on time.

If your child will be five years old on or before August 31, he or she is eligible to register. 

To enroll your child, visit your neighborhood school. If you need help identifying your neighborhood school, please call 206-433-2424.

When you go, it is important to take:
• Your child’s birth certificate.
• Proof of your address. (This can be a rental agreement, purchase agreement, or utility bill.)
• Your child’s immunization records.
• Two emergency contacts, including addresses and phone numbers.

​Having a great teacher in every classroom, intently focused on instruction, is key to student achievement. Relevant lessons that engage students in critical thinking and problem solving provide the foundation for gaining confidence and competency.

Having a great teacher in every classroom, intently focused on instruction, is key to student achievement. Relevant lessons that engage students in critical thinking and problem solving provide the foundation for gaining confidence and competency.

Southern Heights Principal Deborah Holcomb and teachers Jennifer Matthews and Kaia Tomokiyo with Highline Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson, State Superintendent Randy Dorn and state officials.

Southern Heights Elementary is one school producing significant results using these principles. The school received the Washington Achievement Award for High Progress, recognition for making big strides in student learning.

Principal Deborah Holcomb says the school is focused on a school-wide goal of increasing deep student discussion around math and literacy. Through a variety of methods, teachers encourage students to not only think critically about lessons, but discuss their rationale with peers.

To keep educators aiming for the same goal, Southern Heights teachers meet weekly and participate in several professional development exercises at the school throughout the year. This includes studying data, researching best practices, planning high quality lessons, and developing interventions to support students.

“We are already seeing our students feel empowered by the opportunities they have to share their thinking,” said Holcomb. “All kids can think and learn, we just need to give them the opportunity to shine.”

Five other Highline schools were honored with Washington Achievement Awards including Aviation High School, Global Connections High School, Health Science and Human Services High School (HS3), Marvista Elementary, and Gregory Heights Elementary.

​Sixteen high school senior athletes received college scholarships at the Scholar-Athlete, Coach, and Community Recognition Banquet.  The banquet honors students that shine in multi-sport athletics, academics and community service.

Sixteen high school senior athletes received college scholarships at the Scholar-Athlete, Coach, and Community Recognition Banquet.  The banquet honors students that shine in multi-sport athletics, academics and community service.

Two boys and two girls from each of Highline Public School’s four main high school campuses were awarded $1000 or more. This is the second annual awards ceremony.

Student athletes were honored at the Scholar-Athlete, Coach, and Community Recognition Banquet.

“We know participating in athletics has a positive impact on students, their academics, and their future,” Director of Athletics Terri McMahan. “The opportunity to partner with others and provide scholarship dollars for our greatest community resource is a tremendous experience for all involved.”

The athletic department partnered with the Highline Schools Foundation, community members, and local businesses to provide the scholarships for the students.

High school and middle school coaches, and community members who support the district’s athletic programs were also honored at the ceremony, emceed by the “Voice of the Seattle Storm,” Dick Fain.

“Much of the success our student athletes achieve is in large part due to the support and mentorship from coaches and community members,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “The tireless work and dedication from these individuals creates a lasting effect on the young people they serve.”

2013 Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Winners:
Evergreen Campus: Kelly Beck, Johnny Le, Thaolam Ngo, Pulemau Savusa
Highline High School: Breana Brookbank, Samuel Gustafsson, Joshua Nord, Kristen Rodal
Mount Rainer High School:  Amanda Goucher, Allen May, Cameron Stedman, Natalie Welch
Tyee Educational Complex: Jacob Alerte-Pichardo, Crystal Matson, Martin Obrero, Savannah Williams

2013 Honored Coaches:
Evergreen Campus: Tasha Hicks, Head Girls Basketball
Highline High School: Dawn Tessandore, Head Gymnastics
Mount Rainer High School:  Brian Jacobson, Head Cross Country, Asst. Track & Field
Tyee Educational Complex: Tremain Mack, Head Baseball, Asst. Boys Basketball
Chinook Middle School: Heather Herbison, Head Volleyball, Head Track & Field, Asst. Boys Basketball
Pacific Middle School: Bryan Howisey, Head Track & Field
Cascade Middle School: Jesse Julius, Head Volleyball, Head Boys Basketball, Asst. Track & Field
Sylvester Middle School: Ed Sullivan, Head Football, Head Boys Basketball

2013 Community Contributors:
Evergreen Campus: Fia and Carol Faletogo
Highline High School: Mike Mansanarez
Mount Rainer High School:  Brooks and Heather Powell
Tyee Educational Complex: Mike Condon

​​Highline Public Schools will fund tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all schools starting this fall. Highline has committed to making full-day kindergarten a funding priority, regardless of the amount the state legislature allocates to full-day kindergarten.

​Highline Public Schools will fund tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all schools starting this fall. Highline has committed to making full-day kindergarten a funding priority, regardless of the amount the state legislature allocates to full-day kindergarten.

Highline will offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten in all schools starting in the fall.

The state currently funds full-day kindergarten in eight high-poverty schools in Highline, and lawmakers are wrangling over plans that would fund some additional schools.

“We cannot wait for the legislature to act. Full-day kindergarten is the right thing to do for all our children and families now,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “This is a game-changer for our students.”

Full-day kindergarten is a key strategy for meeting the district goal of 95 percent of next fall’s kindergartners performing at or above grade level in all core subjects by the end of Grade 3. Multiple studies show that children who participate in full-day kindergarten make significant gains in reading and math compared with students in half-day programs. Research also shows that mastering reading and math skills by third grade is critical for success throughout middle and high school.

“This is one of several critical investments Highline making toward the bold goals in our new strategic plan,” said Enfield. The district is also investing in high-priority goals for older students, such as ensuring that 19 out of 20 students pass Algebra by Grade 9, and that 19 out of 20 students in the freshman class of 2013 graduate successfully.

​Mount Rainier’s Sebastian Martinez has been awarded the coveted position of Honors Research Student and will sail with the Nautilus Exploration Program during their 2013 expedition season. Mount Rainer Teacher Sam Garson will return for his third year as an Educator at Sea.

Sebastian Martinez

​Mount Rainier’s Sebastian Martinez has been awarded the coveted position of Honors Research Student and will sail with the Nautilus Exploration Program during their 2013 expedition season. Sebastian will be sailing aboard the E/V Nautilus from August 8 - 17 in the Bahamas.  “It’s a huge honor for me to work alongside professionals in the marine science field while on my expedition with E/V Nautilus,” said Sebastian.  “I think it’s a great opportunity for students like me to gain insight on what exactly happens on research expeditions and how it will benefit the scientific community.”

Sebastian is one of just forty-seven educators and students from around the world selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) to participate at sea during the program. Among the Educators at Sea will be Mount Rainer Teacher Sam Garson who is returning for his third year with the program. In previous years, Garson has shared live video conferences with students and staff back at home.  The selected educators and students hail from schools, universities, and science centers in twenty-one states and five countries. They will join the Nautilus Corps of Exploration during ocean expeditions from June through November in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.

The 2013 educator and student selectees will embark on several expeditions aboard Dr. Robert Ballard’s ship of exploration, E/V Nautilus, and other research vessels off the coast of the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as Montserrat, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turkey. As members of the Corps of Exploration, educators and students will stand watch alongside scientists and engineers, as well as participate in live interactions with shore-based audiences via Exploration Now. When launched in June, Exploration Now will be a 24-hour online portal bringing expeditions from the field to future explorers on shore via telepresence technology.      
                                   
“One of the major goals of our Nautilus Exploration Program is to inspire the next generation of explorers in STEM fields,” said Expedition Leader and OET Vice President, Dr. Katherine Croff Bell, “so we’re very excited to provide educators and students with the direct experience of pure exploration, while allowing them the opportunity to share their experience far and wide with their peers.”

About the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) Programs:
           
• The Educator At Sea Science Communication Fellowship Program will host sixteen new educators and four returning lead educators, including educators from Northern Ireland and Venezuela. Educator at Sea positions entail 2-4 week periods working aboard E/V Nautilus and other vessels as communicators of the expedition. An equally important aspect of the program is bringing the expedition back home to local student populations and communities after they have returned home. The Educator at Sea program is sponsored in part by Bechtel.

• The Science and Engineering Internship Program will host fifteen interns, including students from Australia and Canada. The internship program aims to train undergraduate and graduate students studying ocean science, engineering and film in the at-sea environment. Intern positions entail 2-5 week periods working aboard E/V Nautilus and other vessels as Data Loggers, ROV Pilots, or Video Engineers.       
                        
• The Honors Research Program (HRP) will host twelve students from across the United States. The HRP Program invites junior and senior high school students to participate in a seven-week summer research and exploration program. Students work with scientists at the University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) and are also invited to join the Corps of Exploration aboard Nautilus and other vessels.                                           

The Nautilus Exploration Program was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert Ballard. The international exploration program centers on scientific exploration of the seafloor launched from aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, a 64-meter research vessel currently based in the Caribbean Sea, and additional research vessels. In addition to conducting pure scientific research, the Nautilus Exploration Program offers telepresence to explorers on shore via live video, audio and data feeds from the ships. The program also includes an education component that brings educators and students on ocean expeditions.  The 2013 Nautilus Exploration Program sponsors are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bechtel, Sea Research Foundation, Office of Naval Research, National Geographic Society, University of Rhode Island, and additional private donors.

​A Japanese delegation visited Highline Public Schools to learn more about our nutrition and school meal program. “We were honored to be the school district in Washington visited by the Japanese delegation and recommended by OSPI as a model for school meals," said Highline Nutrition Services Director Chris Neal.

L to R: Yuji Harie, Sarah Martin, Chris Neal, Yutaka Kawano (Head of Delegation), Yuichiro Asakura, and Yoshiki Uenishi.

A Japanese delegation visited Highline Public Schools to learn more about our nutrition and school meal program.

“We were honored to be the school district in Washington visited by the Japanese delegation and recommended by OSPI as a model for school meals," said Highline Nutrition Services Director Chris Neal.

Members of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) are visiting the U.S. to study the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school meals. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to low-income families.

During the mission, hosted by the Consulate-general of Japan, the delegation is making stops in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Chicago and are meeting with the USDA, state agencies, and local school districts.

​Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) teacher Alicia Emsley has won the UW School of Public Health's Community Partner award for her classroom’s collaboration with the UW and King County Public Health. This award is the only award given to someone outside the School of Public Health.

Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) teacher Alicia Emsley has won the UW School of Public Health's Community Partner award for her classroom’s collaboration with the UW and King County Public Health. This award is the only award given to someone outside the School of Public Health.

HS3 teacher Alicia Emsley and her husband.

HS3 collaborated with UW School of Public Health and King County Public Health on a pilot project to engage high school freshmen in an examination of the social determinants of health.

“Not only did my students gain a broader idea of what health is, they also were able to analyze factors in their own neighborhoods that will impact them directly,” said Emsley. “Many of my students are now considering careers in this field. Before this project, if they had an interested in healthcare, it was primarily in more traditional aspects of medicine.”

Six undergraduate Public Health majors lead lessons and discussions in Emsley’s classroom every other week for 20 weeks.

“Alicia has taken risks in testing the undergraduates’ health education skills, accommodated their schedules, and worked with the School of Public Health to ensure the curriculum works for her students,” said UW grad student Sara Colling. “She has been an outstanding partner for the School of Public Health, and an inspiration to its students as well as her own.”

​Incoming kindergarten students now have an opportunity to get a jumpstart on their education. Highline is offering programs to prepare incoming kindergarten students and their parents for school.

Incoming kindergarten students now have an opportunity to get a jumpstart on their education. Highline is offering programs to prepare incoming kindergarten students and their parents for school.

Kindergarten Jump Start is a weeklong instructional program designed to prepare students to enter kindergarten in September.  While students are in class, parents meet with teachers and principals to learn more about their child’s school, procedures, and routines. 

Highline elementary schools are offering the program twice in August:

• August 12-16 or August 5-9
• 9 a.m. to 12 noon

“Many students arrive in kindergarten with no experience in a group setting, no exposure to early learning activities, and very little knowledge of what school is and how to be successful in it,” said P-3 Director Anne Arnold. “Kindergarten Jump Start offers a safe and welcoming introduction to elementary school for parents and students, relieving many first-day anxieties.”

All students who register for kindergarten are welcome to attend the program. Register now at your child’s school.

​Jake Hecla, a senior at Aviation High School, along with two team members from other school districts, took home top honors at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF).

Aviation High School student Jake Hecla (middle) with teammates Rian Chandra, from Capital High School in Olympia, and Ray Maung, from Kentwood High School, at Intel ISEF.

Jake Hecla, a senior at Aviation High School, along with two team members from other school districts, took home top honors at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF).

Jake’s team placed second in the Physics & Astronomy category at the international completion for their project entitled Investigation of Anisotropic Neutron Radiation from a Farnsworth IEC Fusion Reactor. They also earned first place in the Special Awards category.

The team, which also included Rian Chandra, from Capital High School in Olympia, and Ray Maung, from Kentwood High School in Kent, represented Washington State at the competition. They spent a week attending lectures, seminars, and presentations on the latest scientific, mathematical, and technology news.

“It was a valuable learning, networking, and professional development event,” said Jake. “I encourages others to compete.”

Intel ISEF is the premiere science competition in the world exclusively for high school students. More than 1,500 students from 70 countries competed in the competition. The student projects are judged by doctoral level scientists.