Issaquah Schools Foundation

PTA Messages – January 2008

Long version

 

Calling for Kids 2007 Dollars in Action!

ISF is pleased to announce that 10th grade students across the district will soon begin to reap the benefits of last year’s Calling for Kids campaign. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of ISF, PTA’s, the District and the community—who helped raise over $170,000 for the project—Issaquah teachers will have new Biology instruction resource materials for the first time in ten years. After reviewing and field-testing several options the District’s adoption committee selected the McDougal Littell program. McDougal Littell fulfilled the committee’s goals of a curriculum that would engage students in the study of life sciences and help them deeply understand and be able to apply their learning.  Expressing their reaction to the selection, Issaquah Biology teachers exclaimed, “These materials provide for the full range of students we see in our classrooms. There are supports for struggling students, a variety of materials that appeal to different learning styles, parent tools and challenging content for advanced students.”

Comments from students, parents and community members involved in the field testing echo those of the teachers and affirm the committee’s decision.

“Science isn’t my favorite subject. It’s my least. I just don’t get it. But with this book, I might actually understand Biology, especially with the online book and activities.
-Student

My vote for this science book is yes!!! I found it very enjoyable and easy to read. Experiments are easy to understand and I think students will love performing them.”
-Peggy Phillips, Parent and IMC member

"I spent a few minutes with the books while they were on public display. I am very impressed with the material and think the book will be a good tool for our students."
-Jim Berry, Community member

The new Biology books will be introduced early in the second semester. The materials, however, are just the beginning. The District’s adoption committee recommends that full implementation include development of assessments to uncover student thinking and ongoing professional development about how to provide challenging learning for all students. 

For more information on the Biology adoption, parents may contact the District at 837-7030.

What Will Calling for Kids 2008 Fund? —ISF Wants Your Opinion

Calling for Kids 2008, on April 1st & 2nd will focus on professional development—an essential element of school improvement and student learning. The Issaquah School District has identified several teacher-training programs that can lead us to our goals. We want you, as parents, donors, community members and stakeholders, to tell us your thoughts.

Please follow the link below to our Zoomerang Survey. There you will find a description of each program under consideration. Tell us how supportive you are of each option. Please submit your answers by January 4, 2008. The selected option will be announced by mid-January.

Click here to take the brief Zoomerang Survey

Congratulations to our National Board Certified Teachers

Six Issaquah School District instructors have joined the ranks of Nationally Board Certified teachers.  Considered by many to be the pinnacle of professionalism, National Board Certification is an intense, yearlong process designed to help great teachers become even better educators. The Certification process requires teachers to reflect on how they form and deliver lessons and how they demonstrate leadership in their schools and communities. Please join us in celebrating the achievements of:

Steve Darnell, Liberty High School
Angela Hammang, Liberty High School
Tasha Kirby, Discovery Elementary
Sarah Sarieddiene, Beaver Lake Middle School
Ben Sorenson, Maywood Middle School
Gretel von Bargen, Skyline High School

ISF awards grants of $500 to $1,500 to support all District teachers who apply for NBC. Teachers can learn more about the Issaquah Schools Foundation’s support of NBC candidates at http://www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/programs/index.htm#NBC

An informational meeting for anyone interested in NBC will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Administration Building, 565 N.W. Holly St.


Short Version

Calling for Kids 2007 Dollars in Action!

ISF is pleased to announce that 10th grade students across the district will soon begin to reap the benefits of last year’s Calling for Kids campaign. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of ISF, PTA’s, the District and the community—who helped raise over $170,000 for the project—Issaquah teachers will have new Biology instruction resource materials for the first time in ten years. The new materials will be introduced early in the second semester and include both textbook and online instruction. For more information on the Biology adoption, parents may contact the District at 837-7030.

What Will Calling for Kids 2008 Fund? —ISF Wants Your Opinion

Calling for Kids 2008, on April 1st & 2nd will focus on this essential element of school improvement and student learning. The Issaquah School District has identified several professional development programs that can lead us to our goals. We want you, as parents, donors, community members and stakeholders, to tell us your thoughts.

Please follow the link below to our Zoomerang Survey. There you will find a description of each program under consideration. Tell us how supportive you are of each option. Please submit your answers by January 4, 2008. Thank You!

Click here to take the brief Zoomerang Survey

Congratulations to our National Board Certified Teachers

Six Issaquah District instructors have joined the ranks of Nationally Board Certified teachers.  Considered by many to be the pinnacle of professionalism, National Board Certification is an intense, yearlong process designed to help great teachers become even better educators. ISF is pleased to have played a part in their achievement by providing each with monetary support.

Please join us in celebrating the achievements of:

Steve Darnell, Liberty High School
Angela Hammang, Liberty High School
Tasha Kirby, Discovery Elementary
Sarah Sarieddiene, Beaver Lake Middle School
Ben Sorenson, Maywood Middle School
Gretel von Bargen, Skyline High School

More information on ISF and the National Board Certification process can be found at
http://www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/programs/index.htm#NBC


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