Message from Superintendent Francois

Dear Northshore Colleagues,

Next week is Spring Break! I wish you all a relaxing and restful week and hope that you will return rejuvenated and inspired as we head into the last two months of the school year. 

Next week is also Volunteer Appreciation Week. On behalf of our entire school district, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who donate countless hours of their time, energy and talents. We have one of the best school districts in the state because our community supports a world class public education. Our volunteers are a critical part of that support.

Whether it is helping students in the classroom, assisting in the office, mentoring a student, raising funds or serving on a committee, our many volunteers positively contribute every day to the success of our students. What I find so inspiring is the number of volunteers who no longer have children in our schools, yet continue to help out and give back. You just don't find that kind of dedication and investment in most places. That's what makes Northshore such a special place.

I hope you will join me this week in thanking the volunteers who make your particular school community a better place.Best wishes for a safe Spring Break.

Truly,

Larry Francois, Superintendent

School Board Meeting Information
   
At its April 10 board meeting, the Northshore School District Board of Directors approved core curriculum materials for Sustainable Engineering & Design, grades 11 and 12; Robotics, grades 7 and 8; and Computer Aided Design, grades 7 and 8. The board also approved board policy nos. 2020, 2121, 2145, 2320 and 2331 and its 2012-13 meeting calendar.

The next school board meeting is April 24, 7 p.m.,  Administrative Center Board Room. To view the agenda or read minutes of past school board meetings, please click here.

Northshore Schools Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant Applications Due This Thursday, April 12

The Northshore Schools Foundation is again offering innovative classroom grants. Apply for funding support for your innovative projects for our shared goal of enhancing learning opportunities for Northshore students. Applications are accepted for up to $1000 to be used during the 2012-13 school year. Applications are due to the Foundation office by 5 p.m., April 12. No late applications will be accepted.

Click here for more information, including the application form, or contact Carmin Dalziel, executive director, or Renee Colleran, innovative grant committee chair.

Partnership with Woodinville Barnes and Noble Raises Money for Elementary School Libraries

Northshore School District partnered with the Woodinville Barnes and Noble for Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2. The Cat in the Hat made a visit to the Maywood Hills Elementary School library to read to students on March 2 and the Woodinville Barnes and Noble held a story time on March 3 and a book fair the week of March 3-9. The book fair earned $246.54 for Northshore to purchase read aloud books for elementary school libraries. The store also collected donated books for elementary classroom reading libraries during the week of the book fair.

Secondary Summer Academy to Run June 27 - Aug. 2

Northshore School District will offer a Secondary Summer Academy, June 27 - Aug. 2, at Inglemoor High School, 15500 Simonds Rd. N.E., in Kenmore. Registrations will be accepted April 30-June 25. Course and contact information will be available mid-April.

• General Education Teachers
• Administrators (Principals, Vice Principals & District Personnel)
• Special Education Teachers
• Support Staff (i.e.  OT, PT, SLP, Psychologists, Counselors, Custodians, Food Service Workers, Nurses, Para-educators,Bus Drivers, Librarians, PE & Music Teachers, Office Staff)
• Teams / Schools
• Parent Volunteers
• Community Volunteers
• Students - Students will receive certificates

Click here to download nomination form. Forms may also be found on the SEPAC Web site: www.sepacnsd.org.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 23
E-mail nominations preferred. Send to: questions@sepacnsd.org
or mail to: SEPAC, attn: NSD Special Education Dept. 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA 98021-8972.

If you have questions, email us - questions@sepacnsd.org
You do not have to use the form, but please include ALL information listed on the form.

• Elementary school faculty - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June 25 or Oct. 23
• Secondary school faculty - 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 26 and 27 or Oct. 24 and 25

SERS and TRS Plan 3 Members Withdrawal Seminar May 1

Are you planning to leave employment or retire sometime in the next 5 years? Do you know what decisions you need to make in regard to your retirement plan when you leave? Do you know what payment options you have? ICMA will be presenting a short seminar for Plan 3 Members on these topics on Tuesday, May 1, 4:15-5:15 p.m. , Administrative Building Board Room.
 
The seminar will cover options and issues faced by members who are thinking of retiring or separating from service within the next 5 years:

• Payment options and timelines
• Benefit calculations
• Age and service requirements
• Potential penalties and reductions
• Survivor options

If you are thinking about retiring or separating from service and want to begin preparing for the decisions you will have to make, please register by emailing Toni Damron at tdamron@nsd.org. Seating may be limited. Spouses are welcome to attend.

• 2012-13 Key NSD Calendar Dates
• Annual Retirement Statements
• Athletics
• Cost Savings Idea Submission Form
• District Phone Extensions
• Employee Discount Program  
• Employee Online
  
• Heard it Through the Grapevine
• Schools & Inclement Weather
• Staff BRAVOS
• Teacher Toolbox - Teacher Opportunities
• Puget Sound ESD One-to-One Newsletter
  
• Professional Development Classes
• Retirement Outlook Newsletter
• HomeStreet Bank Hometown Loan Program