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AUBURN SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ray Vefik, PresidentCarol Helgerson, Vice President

Lisa Connors, DirectorCraig Schumaker, Director

Janice Nelson, Director

BOARD WELCOMES PUBLIC

The Auburn School District Board of Directors welcomes citizens interested in their local schools to attend the board’s regular meetings. The meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of the month, at 7 p.m., in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building, 915 Fourth Street NE, Auburn, Washington.

Inside this edition:Auburn Schools Dedicate Time to Improve Student Learning Through PLCsSuperintendent’s MessageSummer Food ProgramHealthy Eating and Active Living Choices for StudentsReaching Out FairCapital Improvements Levy Project UpdatesSummer Financial Literacy CampDistrict Wins $1.3 Million Competitive Energy GrantStudent-Athlete SafetyAuburn Teacher Leadership Academy

SUPERINTENDENTDr. Kip Herren

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage

PAIDAuburn, WA

Permit No. 162VOL. XXIII NO. 1

Auburn Schools Dedicate Time to Improve Student Learning Through Professional Learning Communities

III AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 408

1-866-LIVE TIP ext. 1501-866-548-3847 ext. 150

ALL Calls Kept Confidential

Youth Safety Hotline915 4th Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002

(253) 931-4900 ~ www.auburn.wednet.edu

The mission of the Auburn School District is to have all students meet high standards. To do this, Auburn School District is committed to improving student learning. One strategy for this improvement includes having teachers work together in collaborative teams called Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Beginning on October 4, 2010, Auburn School District will move to one-hour “late starts” on designated Mondays to provide staff the time to work in PLCs.

What are Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)?PLCs are collaborative teacher teams working together to build a shared knowledge regarding standards, examine student work, and enable each member of the team to clarify what all students should know and be able to do as the result of every unit of instruction. This is a research-based shift in teaching practice, moving from isolation to collaboration between colleagues.

Why are Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) needed?Schools will be much more effective (that is, more students will learn more and at higher levels) if teachers work as contributing members of a team. Collaborative teams are defined as educators who work interdependently to achieve common goals that will affect their professional practice in order to improve student learning. More traditional models of schooling rely on individual teachers working primarily in isolation.

Are Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) effective?Yes. National data and research support that this model of collaboration leads to higher levels of student learning. Two frequently updated websites that identify school districts that have used the PLC model to improve student learning are: www.allthingsplc.info and www.plcwashington.org.

What four questions will guide collaboration time for all Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in the Auburn School District?All PLCs will reflect staff working on the following four questions:

1. What do we want all students to know and be able to do as a result of this class/subject area?

2. How will we know if they learned it?3. What will we do if they don’t?4. What will we do if they already know it?

What are some examples of PLC work that will be done in the schools to improve student learning?• Align curriculum with State and district power standards

for each course and grade level• Examine students’ work

• Create common assessments and tests• Analyze students’ testing data to determine goals to

improve each student’s learning• Identify students that need additional time and support to

meet standards or move beyond standards

Why is Auburn School District going to a one-hour “late start” schedule for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) this year?Auburn School District is striving to improve student learning for all students. In order for teachers to develop assessments and instructional strategies to reach all learners, we needed to find time across the school district to allow for teachers at all grade levels and across schools to collaborate. To imple-ment this time, there will be one-hour late starts , on designated Mondays (see adjacent schedule) t h r o u g h o u t t h e 2 0 1 0 -11 schoo l yea r, whe re students will arrive and start school one hour late. For a complete one-hour late start schedule, go to www.auburn.wednet.edu or view the information loca ted in the 2010-11 Auburn School District Calendar and Parent Handbook.

Transportation, Meals and Childcare Information

Will breakfast and lunch still be provided to students?Yes. Students may access the breakfast and lunch services from their schools by either qualifying for free/reduced lunch and breakfast or by payment.

Will the buses run one hour late?Yes. The buses will pick up students, at their regular bus stops, one hour later than their regular schedule. Please see the Auburn School District website at www.auburn.wednet.edu for school schedule details.

I have a student that may need childcare during the PLC one-hour late starts, how do I get information on local daycares?Each elementary and middle school in the Auburn School District has a list on the front door of their school that identifies local childcares and community partners for families that may need childcare on the late start Mondays. Information is also available on the Auburn School District website at www.auburn.wednet.edu.

One-Hour Late StartDesignated PLC Mondays

October 4, 11, 18, 25November

1, 8, 29December

6, 13January

3,10, 24, 31

February 7, 14, 28March

7, 21, 28April

11,18, 25May

2, 16, 23

Page 2 Inside Your Schools - September 2010 www.auburn.wednet.edu

Auburn School District was awarded the Public Health - Seattle & King County Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant for nearly half million

dollars. The grant funding will provide resources to improve healthy food choices and increase physical fitness activities for all students beginning in the 2010-11 school year.

The three primary activities Auburn School District proposed to encourage healthy eating and active living include:

• Physical Education Curriculum Adoption and Implementation• Child Nutrition Certificate Program• Public Relations Media Campaign

Physical Education Curriculum Adoption and ImplementationAuburn School District will redesign the PreK-12 Physical Education (PE) curriculum to align to State and district power standards. Additionally, the grant will fund a new PE student assessment and reporting software to help create a culture of fitness across the school district, as well as PE equipment that supports the newly aligned PE curriculum.

Child Nutrition Certificate ProgramThe Child Nutrition Services Depart-ment will develop a whole foods cooking certificate program in partnership with the School Nutrition Association and then certify 50 child nutrition staff using the certificate program. Ultimately, the certification program will be available to school Child Nutrition staff throughout King County.

Public Relations Media CampaignThe Auburn School District will kick off a PR campaign led by Auburn High School DECA students to encourage healthy eating and physical activity choices. The campaign will increase awareness of a new culture of fitness and nutrition within Auburn schools.

Public Health - Seattle & King County offered 51 grants totaling $8.9 million to fund school districts, community-based organizations, and local governments to improve nutrition and physical activity, and decrease tobacco use and exposure. As part of the one-time federal stimulus funds in the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) initiative, these grants will support and pay for activities that will produce long-lasting changes and improve the community conditions that harm residents.

Auburn School District to Increase Healthy Eating and Active Living Choices for Students

On Thursday, October 7, the public is invited to attend the 12th annual Reaching Out Fair at the Auburn Performing Arts Center from 6-8:30 P.M. The resource information fair is a fun, informative part of the evening where resources will be shared with the community on how to keep children and youth safe. Various community organizations will be in attendance, such as Auburn Parks and Recreation, YMCA, Auburn Youth Resources and Green River Community College. The information fair is specifically geared toward middle school students. They are encouraged to attend to learn more about the resources available to them, as well as to be entered into a drawing to win SuperMall shopping gift certificates. Free pizza will be provided. After the resource information fair, the community is in for a treat, as student presenters show off their talent and share testimonials about individuals who have made a difference in their lives. This part of the event highlights student success and is intended to communicate that all children can make an impact in their homes, schools and communities. The live finale includes a hip-hop dance performance by the Fab-5, a local organization dedicated to provide youth a safe place to develop their talents within the hip-hop culture.

Two Auburn children enjoy a nutritious summer lunch in the park during Auburn School District’s summer food program. The program provides free, wholesome lunches to children ages 1 through 18 during the summer months, Monday-Friday, at over 49 locations throughout Auburn, Algona and Pacific. This summer over 100,000 meals were served.

The start of the school year is always an exciting time of renewal and opportunity. As we begin the

2010-2011 school year, the Auburn School District continues an ambitious program for improving student learning through clear and high expectations, the creation of conditions for success, accountability to high expectations, professional collaboration and continuous improvement.

The district is committed to the growth of students as both learners and citizens. Last year we provided over 1.5 million parent communications in three different languages using electronic messaging, family access, E-news, websites, and SWIFT teacher course websites. We now have an academic assessment system in place that reports the progress of each student three times a year and provides important data for instructional decisions that enhance academic growth of each student. With the successful passage of the 2009 Capital Improvement Levy, we are able to provide needed repairs and replacements to facilities so that students have safe and effective learning environments.

We have reason to celebrate the success of student learning. As the District Strategic Improvement Plan enters its second year of implementation, here are a few district achievement highlights:

• 2nd grade reading on-target reading scores increased 18.74%• Overall K-5 reading on-target reading scores increased 9.34%• Grades 3-9 math on-target math scores increased 3.5%• Grades 3-9 math on-target Hispanic math scores increased 5.3%• Three schools—Washington, Evergreen Heights and Dick Scobee—who were in Step 1 of School Improvement all made AYP in both reading and math

We look forward to serving the public by providing a quality learning experience for our students. Please check out our website that will mark our progress for student learning: www.auburn.wednet.edu. Our instructional decisions are standards based and data driven, guided by the academic performance of each student. All schools are prepared to share the progress and effort to improve the skills of every student. We are committed to our motto, “Engage, Educate, Empower,” which is all about high quality education for every student. Below are a few more district highlights that demonstrate our commitment to our community and students:

• ASD was awarded $1.7 million in competitive grants• 76% of high school graduates participated in extracurricular activities• 800 high school students participate in Advanced Placement courses and 63% of graduates attend college• 51,680 pounds of food was collected for the food bank in the All-Schools Food Drive• For 21 consecutive years, the district has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for exemplary financial reporting• 100,000 free lunches were served to children during the summer lunch program at 49 sites across our community

The Auburn School District’s Strategic Improvement Plan is a blueprint for continuous improvement and unparalleled academic success despite unprecedented budget reductions from the state and the increasing challenge of educating students that speak 54 different languages and dialects. We invite you to follow our progress to improve student learning and close the achievement gap at http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/Superintendent/DistStratPlan.html.

Sincerely,Dr. Dennis Kip Herren

Superintendent’s Message...

Thanks to the community’s support of the November 2009 Capital Improvements Levy, Auburn School District is completing necessary repair and improvement work at schools

and support facilities throughout the district.

The district took advantage of the summer months to complete 10 priority projects including:

Sidewalks and wheelchair accessible curb ramps were installed at 13 district locations. With these necessary improvements, all students, staff and community members who use wheelchairs and other walking aids will have better access to school buildings and support facilities.

Heating and cooling equipment was improved at Mt. Baker Middle School and Auburn Riverside High School. This equipment will increase air-conditioning capacity and improve room ventilation and air quality in rooms that currently overheat.

The athletic turf fields were replaced at Auburn Riverside High School and Auburn Memorial Stadium, and the running track was replaced at Auburn Riverside High School. Replacing the worn turf fields and running track improves playing conditions and player safety.

Additionally, the use of artificial turf reduces landscape maintenance costs and eliminates water and fertilizer use. Recycled rubber in the turf provides additional padding while effectively mimicking the traction characteristics of natural grass.

Two energy-efficient boilers have replaced the failing cast iron boiler at Auburn Pool. The new boilers heat the building, domestic water and pool water using energy-efficient technology. The new boilers also ensure water and building temperatures are consistent so the pool facility remains comfortable and open for school and public use.

For an up-to-date Capital Improvements Levy project schedule, visit the Auburn School District Capital Projects Department website at: http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/CapProjects/CapitalProjects.html.

Capital Improvements Levy Improves Schools and Support Facilities

Inside Your Schools - September 2010 Page 3www.auburn.wednet.edu

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LEVYCompleted Projects Summer 2010 Upcoming Projects Fall 2010

• AdministrationBuilding-Furniture• AlpacElementarySchool- MechanicalandElectrical• EvergreenHeightsElementary SanitarySewer• Multi-Facility-ComputerFurniture• Multi-Facility-PavementMarkings andSignage• Multi-Facility-RoomSignage• Multi-Facility-TelephoneSystem

• AuburnHighSchool-Theater Electrical• AuburnMemorialStadium- StructuralBracing• AuburnRiversideHighSchooland AuburnMemorialStadium-Field andTrack• AuburnRiversideHighSchooland Mt.BakerMiddleSchool-Heating, VentilationandAirCondition• CascadeMiddleSchool-Emergency Generator• Multi-Facility-CurbandSidewalks

Auburn School District Committed to Student-Athlete SafetyAuburn School District achieved a perfect score on the 2009 Athletic Liability Risk

Assessment Survey administered by the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool. District staff worked with members of the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool to review athletic policies and procedures for all sports.

The district scored perfect in all areas including facilities inspections; equipment replacement schedules; personnel training; parent communications; medical insurance forms; supervision; and transportation. The award also earns the district a cost savings on its annual insurance premium.

Auburn High School (AHS) DECA Chapter, a student leadership organization for marketing and business students, held a financial literacy day camp called, “Cash

Camp,” for elementary students on August 31, 2010. Twenty elementary students ages 6-12 attended the day camp in the Auburn Performing Arts Center. DECA students led the campers through a variety of financial literacy games and activities focusing on the three S’s: Save, Spend and Share.

The camp was a great learning opportunity for the elementary students and the DECA members. Both groups benefitted from the student-to-student teaching and learning about personal finance. “Imagine how different the economy would be today if every child knew the basic pillars of financial money management: saving, spending and sharing. This is just the first of many financial literacy projects we have already planned for this school year,” says AHS DECA advisor Lori Jacobs.

Terminal Park Elementary School, along with 12 other schools, is equipped with new wheelchair-accessible ramps.

New energy-efficient condensing boilers installed at Auburn School District’s six-lane pool provide consistent water and building temperatures.

Auburn Memorial Stadium and Auburn Riverside High School replace worn turf fields with new synthetic turf.

Auburn Riverside High School’s new track provides student-athletes a safe running venue for practice and competition.

Auburn High School Students Host Kids’ Summer Financial Literacy Camp

Auburn School District Wins $1.3 Million Energy GrantThe Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

has awarded Auburn School District a $1.3 million energy grant. The grant will fund a portion of the $3.4 million heating, lighting and plumbing improvements at Alpac Elementary, Chinook Elementary, Evergreen Heights Elementary, Gildo Rey Elementary, Hazelwood Elementary, Ilalko Elementary, Lake View Elementary, Lea Hill Elemen-tary, Pioneer Elementary, Washington Elementary and Rainier Middle School.

As part of this work, the school district will also be eligible for an additional $200,000 in utility incentives from Puget Sound Energy. The work will be completed during the next 12 months.

To qualify for the funds, school districts conducted audits of their school facilities to identify projects that could demonstrate guaranteed energy savings.

www.auburn.wednet.edu Inside Your Schools - September 2010 Page 4

AHERA LEGAL NOTICE

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was signed into law in October 1986. As a result, the Auburn School District created an asbestos management plan. This plan was complete in October of 1988 and has been under implementation since. The plan includes surveillances, inspections, notifications, response actions and training for maintenance and custodial staff.

The Auburn School District’s Asbestos Management Plan is in compliance with the requirements of AHERA. The district completed the required AHERA triennial inspections in 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007. Com-plete details of the triennial inspection, AHERA status report and asbestos abatements are available for review along with the management plan. The AHERA management plan is available at the district maintenance department, 1302 Fourth Street Southwest, Auburn, WA.

If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Maintenance and Operations at (253) 931-4955.

Public Records Request

Curtis Leonard, Auburn School District director of human resources and legal affairs, serves as the district’s public records officer. When requesting public records,

contact Mr. Leonard at: (253) 939-4317 or cleonard@auburn.wednet.edu.

VOTING IS FREEDOM’S ANSWERVoter registration forms can be

obtained from building secretaries or from the receptionist at the James P. Fugate

Administration Building, 915 4th Street Northeast

Auburn, Washington

Auburn Teacher Leadership Academy

The number one priority of the Auburn School District—as outlined in the 2009-12 Auburn School District Strategic Improvement Plan—is to improve student

achievement and narrow the achievement gaps for all students. The district strategic improvement plan provides a framework through which the district will support the schools in ensuring the academic success of each student. The district plan signals the start of a collaborative process that links the vision and goals set forth by the district with the school improvement plans developed by the buildings. The process emphasizes continuous improvement that engages all stakeholders in the quest to improve learning for all students.

In support of this collaborative effort, Auburn School District launched the first Auburn Teacher Leadership Academy (ATLA) in August 2010. Fifty teachers participated in the four-day training to develop collaborative leadership skills for improving student learning. Partnering with the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP), Auburn School District is using an innovative approach to build teacher leadership throughout the district.

ATLA provides teachers with specific strategies and skills to assist their fellow teachers in improving student achievement. The acquired skills will equip teachers to implement initiatives in their school settings that encourage collaboration. Research indicates that the best professional practice occurs when we change the culture within our schools from isolation to collaboration. Through a focus on learning in a results-oriented collaborative culture, there is a collective commitment to continuous improvement. The 50 teachers will also have the opportunity to meet as a cohort eight more times during the 2010-11 school year to continue to hone their leadership skills.

The key skills teachers learn during ATLA are:

• Working with adult learners• Communication• Collaboration• Knowledge of content and pedagogy• Systems thinking

Some of the practical ways teachers will apply these skills in their collaborative work settings include:

• Developing norms for Professional Learning Community (PLC) teacher teams that lead them to work collaboratively together for student learning

• Learning how to interpret achievement data and student work• Creating common formative assessments to track student progress• Determining enrichment and intervention activities for all students based on their

achievement• Sharing with each other openly about best practices that are effective in their classrooms

for student achievement

ATLA training will increase the leadership capacity of Auburn School District teachers and provide teachers the skills to work collaboratively together for student learning. This focus on teaching excellence will continue as 50 more teachers will form the second cohort and kick off their training in August 2011. Ultimately, 250 teachers will participate in the ATLA training.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning and Technology Rod Luke, “ATLA is just one way the district is supporting the schools for student learning. We are increasing the leadership capacity of our teachers to do the work of the Professional Learning Communities. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on teachers working collaboratively together for student learning.”

For more information about ATLA, the 2009-12 Auburn School District Strategic Improvement Plan, and Professional Learning Communities, go to www.auburn.wednet.edu.

RELEASE OF STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATIONFederal law prohibits schools or the district from releasing student information without parent permis-sion, except for what is termed “directory information.” According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), “directory information” about most students may be released by the district unless parents or guardians file written notice that they do not want such informa-tion released. Third parties that request “directory information” includes, but is not limited to, the military, the media, colleges/universities/technical schools, youth groups, scholarship grantors, and/or parent-student organizations. “Directory information” includes the student’s name, address, and phone number; student’s photograph; student’s date and place of birth; student’s course of study; grade of attendance; student’s participation in recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; date of attendance; degrees and awards received; and most recent previous school attended. Unless the district receives written notice from a parent or guardian indicating they do not want “directory information” released, the district will normally release “directory information” in the form of address labels or student listings. Student photographs may also be published in yearbooks, student/school newspapers, school handbooks, school or district Web pages, etc. Such publications are considered public domain and can be reproduced by the media. “Directory information” on an individual student (not part of a group listing) will not be released without prior parental consent. The school district will not release “directory information” for com-mercial purposes. Even if consent is given, the building administrator reserves the right to deny the release of “directory information” should he/she determine it would not be in the best interest of the students. Parents/guardians and students 18 years of age or older who do not want any or all categories of “directory information” released to any third party without their prior consent must provide written notice to the district by completing and returning the Exemption Request form from this page. If you do not wish for “directory information” to be released to just one or more of the specific third parties listed above, please call Curtis Leonard, director of human resources and general counsel, at (253) 939-4317 for a specific Exemption Request form. Any Exemption Request must be received no later than October 22, 2010, or within two weeks of enrolling in the district. If an Exemption Request is not received by October 22, 2010, the district will assume that consent has been given.

EXEMPTION REQUEST

I understand this exemption will exclude my student’s name in parent organization mailing lists, school annuals, programs for school activities, commencement programs, honor rolls, or other school information in the school and local newspapers for this current school year. I do not wish the directory information (as defined in the Auburn School District regulations) to be released without my prior, written consent.

Student Name _______________________________________________________

Birthdate ____________________________________Grade __________________

School _____________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ Zip ______________________

Phone Number ____________________________ Date _____________________

Please return this form to: Curtis Leonard, director of human resources and general counsel, Auburn School District, 915 4th Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002.

Free and Reduced Price MealsEligible students can participate in the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, which entitle students to free and reduced price meals. Breakfast is free for all students enrolled in these programs. Lunch is free for students in the free program; lunch costs 40 cents for students in the reduced-price program. However, students in grades K-3 who qualify for reduced-price meals now receive lunch at no charge.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION NOTICEThe Washington State Pesticide Application Act, RCW 17.21, was amended in 1999 to include specific requirements for the application of pesticides, herbicides or fungicides within public school district buildings and grounds. The law requires that public school districts comply with the following guidelines when considering the application of pesticides in or around all school district buildings and grounds:

1. All district employees or commercial vendors involved in pesticide application must possess a Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.2. All pesticides, herbicides and fungicides utilized around public school buildings and grounds must be approved for use3. within the State of Washington by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).4. All building staffs and students must be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any pesticide application, including application location, date, time, pesticide name and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided.5. There must be proper signage posted immediately after the pesticide application at the location of application and at the building main entrance, and remain posted for at least 24 hours afterwards.

The Auburn School District’s pesticide application procedures are in full compliance with the Washington State Pesticide Application Act. If you have any questions or wish to review any of the district’s procedures and records, please contact the Director of Maintenance and Operations at (253) 931-4955.