Get Involved in Your Public Schools

The Renton School District is recruiting community members for its committees focusing on instructional programs. The Citizen's Advisory Committee for Instruction (CACI) and the District General Instruction Committee (DGIC) review and recommend instructional programs and materials to the school board. Citizens interested in serving on either committee should contact Dianna Manning, Curriculum Director, at (425) 204-2403.

'Read Around Renton' Part of Children's Book Week

On Thursday, November 18, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, Spring Glen Early Childhood Education Assistance Program/Head Start will host a Family Fun Night entitled "Read Around Renton." Families will spend 15 minutes in each of the five "destinations" learning about how to use or enhance the use of books. The activity is part of National Children's Book Week and the youngsters also had guest readers throughout the week including Sandy Chastain from the Mayor's office, Police Chief Garry Anderson, Superintendent Dolores Gibbons and KING TV's Paul Silvi.

A Call to Parents: A Family's Guide to High School and College Success

A Call to Parents, a free educational workshop for parents is touring Washington State courtesy of the Washington State Association of Tech Prep Directors and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. A Call to Parents, created by Dr. Susan M. Quattrociocchi, is scheduled to take place at McKnight Middle School, 1200 Edmonds Ave. N.E., Renton on December 7 at 7 pm.

Dr. Quattrociocchi will provide tips and strategies to parents to help insure a teen's future success. The first 100 participants will receive a free autographed book from Dr. Quattrociocchi. Admission is free.

Renton Schools Participate in 'Make a Difference Day'

During the month of October, both Benson Hill and Talbot Hill elementary collected food items for 'Make a Difference Day,' part of the Emergency Feeding Program. Combined, the schools collected over 1400 nutritious food items that are already being distributed locally.

Special thanks to Benson teacher Scheila Pikes and Talbot's Delores Johnson for coordinating their respective schools' efforts. Carol Ready's class of Benson fifth graders also helped the cause by picking up and sorting the food items and carrying the full bags to the Emergency Feeding Van.

Celebrate American Education Week

To make our schools the best that they can be requires a commitment from every member of every community, from retired citizens as well as parents, from business leaders as well as board members. The goal of American Education Week, November 14 through November 20, is to increase public understanding and appreciation of schools, to encourage parents and nonparents to visit school, to build civic and community pride and support for education.

The Renton School District planned a week-long series of events. The first event was the 1999 Family Concert held on November 14 at the Lindbergh Auditorium. Gifted student musicians joined the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra and Thistle Puppet Theatre to present Rimsky Korsakov's "Scheherazade." The concert is designed to attract and expose families to classical music.

On November 15, schools and offices across the district received appreciation baskets filled with coffee, popcorn, candies, chips and other snacks to thank them for their commitment to children.

As part of an effort to build public understanding of Renton Schools, Q & A forms were distributed districtwide through the schools and the media. If you have a question about our schools, please cut and fill the form out and return it to any of our schools or send it to Community Relations, Renton School District, 300 SW 7th St., Renton, 98055. "We are sincerely interested in the kinds of questions our citizens have regarding our schools," commented Peter Daniels, Director of Community Relations. He said the staff will combine questions by categories and respond to them through the School Report and other communication pieces.

Sierra Heights ranked as the 18th highest scoring elementary school in the state on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. As a token of appreciation to the students, staff and parents at Sierra, and to highlight their high academic achievement, a party was held on November 17. The event featured refreshments, music, displays and fun. At 7 pm that evening, the school board read a proclamation for American Education Week and installed the recently elected or re-elected board members.

"It is important for parents to know how their children are doing in school," urged Superintendent Dolores Gibbons. "I encourage parents or other family members to attend Parent/Teacher Conferences." Middle and elementary schools across the district are holding conferences from November 18 through November 24.

On Friday, November 19 the district is asking the community to wear their school colors as a show of support for public education. Whether you attended schools in Renton or across the nation, don your school colors to exhibit your pride. Go alumni!

And, at the close of American Education Week, parents and students should take the time to talk about what the youngster learned during his or her week at school. "What Do you Know," encourages this dialogue and can help build a positive foundation for your student. Be sure to provide praise and help your child develop goals.

Thanks for doing your part to support American Education Week in Renton!