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Vol. V, No. 5 | October 27, 2011
Strengthening Our Community Through Excellence in Education
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Message from Superintendent Francois
Dear Northshore Colleagues,
Of the hundreds of emails and dozens of pieces of mail I've received over the past couple weeks highlighting the excellence taking place in our schools, I want to share a few with you.
Shelton View Elementary has been recognized as a School of Distinction by the Center for Educational Effectiveness and Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter. Schools of Distinction are those in the top 5% of improved student achievement on the state assessments in math and reading over the past five years. Over the past three years Sunrise Elementary, Lockwood Elementary and the Secondary Academy for Success have also been similarly recognized as Schools of Distinction.
In 2010-11, 757 Northshore students earned a total of 4,544 college credits through Tech Prep. Tech Prep is a program that enables students who earn an A or B in a high school Career and Technical Education class to earn college credit at the same time, giving those students a leg up on their college education and saving families a combined total of over $450 thousand in college tuition expenses.
Of the Northshore students who took the PSAT in fall of 2010, 58 students have been recognized as Commended Scholars. This places them in the top 2.25% of the 1.5 million students nationwide who took the PSAT. Seven Northshore students have been recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists, placing them in the top 1% nationwide. I invite you to visit our Web site at www.nsd.org to view the names of these students.
Finally, Northshore students who completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at Inglemoor High School in 2011-a rigorous and internationally benchmarked two-year course of study-represented 20% of all IB diploma recipients in Washington State. Further, the pass rate for Northshore students on the IB diploma exams far exceeded that of students across Washington, the United States, North America and the world.
Congratulations to all of these students and the staff and families supporting their efforts. While it's hard to believe we are rapidly approaching the end of the first quarter of the school year, it's gratifying to take a moment and acknowledge just a few of the many, many great achievements taking place across our district.
Truly,
Larry Francois, Superintendent
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School Board Meeting Information
At its Oct. 25 school board meeting, the Board of Directors approved board policy nos. 1100, 1110, 1112, 1113, 1114 and 1140.
The next school board meeting is Nov. 8, 4 p.m., Administrative Center Board Room. To view the agenda or read minutes of past school board meetings, please click here.
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Shelton View Elementary Earns 2011 School of Distinction Award
Shelton View Elementary School has earned a 2011 School Of Distinction Award for outstanding improvements in math and reading over five years and is in the top 5 percent of highest-improving schools in the state.
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58 Northshore Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars
Inglemoor senior Olivia Bedford also named National Achievement Scholar
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named 58 Northshore students as Commended Scholars. In addition to being recognized as a Commended Scholar, Inglemoor senior Olivia Beford was named a National Achievement Scholar. read more
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Woodinville High Students Sierra Barajas and Rebecca Folsom Receive National Hispanic Recognition
Woodinville High School seniors Sierra Barajas and Rebecca Folsom were recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) for their academic achievement. Requirements for recognition include achieving a minimum required PSAT/NMSQT score in their junior year, be of at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino descent and achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher by the end of their junior year.
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Bothell High Teacher Andy Gault Named Best of Western Washington Teacher of the Year
Bothell High School American Sign Language Teacher Andy Gault is Teacher of the Year in the Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington 2011 contest!
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2011-12 Religious Holidays
Please take special note of key observances/holidays when scheduling school events (during the school day or evening) as they may impact the ability of some families to participate. We appreciate your cooperation and support in balancing important personal religious observances with the district calendar. Contact the Communications Department, 425.408.7670, for more information or assistance.
Click here to download Washington State School Directors' Association 2011-12 On-Call calendar.
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Northshore School District Receives $10,400 STEM Grant
The district received a $10,400 grant from Washington STEM. Amy Leslie, Timbercrest Junior High School sustainable design teacher, will use the grant funds to develop an introductory level course for ninth-grade students at the school to explore "green jobs" and solutions to environmental issues through design and efficiency.
The district partnered with the Northshore Schools Foundation to write the application for the Washington STEM grant . Washington STEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing innovation, equity and excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Washington state.
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Employee Flu Shot Schedule REVISED
The school district will once again be offering free seasonal flu shots for all district employees, including part-time and non-benefited positions. Flu shots will be available for permanent employees only-no subs, family, friends or community members. If you get your shot at a building outside of your assigned building, you must have your district ID badge. Group Health members, please bring your consumer number or GH card. The district will not be charged for GHC members who receive flu shots. Click here to download the flu shot schedule.
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Inclement Weather and Emergency Closure Procedure Information for Employees
Winter weather conditions could impact school schedules. In the event of a school delay or closure, the district will send a telephone message to families and employees. Please ensure you have updated your contact information. Log onto Employee Online to verify that your current phone number(s) is on file. Read the 2011-12 Snow & Ice Bulletin for important information regarding schools and inclement weather.
If weather impacts school schedules, Northshore employees follow certain procedures regarding their work days. For emergency closure procedure information, please click here.
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Northshore Charitable Giving Campaign Runs Oct. 24 - Nov. 4
The 2011 Northshore School District Charitable Giving Campaign has begun, and you are invited to join Northshore employees in contributing to the organization and/or charity of your choice. The campaign runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 4. read more
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General Election is Nov. 8 - Remember to Vote
For information for voters and the 2011 General Election Voters' Guide, please visit www.sos.wa.gov/elections.
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Download Northshore District Phone Extensions
The 2011-12 phone extension lists are now posted as downloadable .pdf documents on the district Web site and will be updated quarterly. Lists include: Administrative Extensions, School Extensions, Fax Numbers and Building Information. The documents are located on Employees Home in the Northshore Phone Extension section. |
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Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) Seminar for all Northshore Employees - Nov. 1
All Northshore employees are invited to an hour-long seminar on the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5-6 p.m., in the Administrative Center Board Room. The seminar will provide information on one of our optional retirement programs, the Washington State Deferred Compensation Plan, including investment fund changes within the plan. The new options, which include the introduction of an emerging market fund, are designed to simplify your choices while enabling you to take advantage of expanding opportunities in today's markets. Detailed information and guides are listed on the DRS Web site. Register by emailing Toni Damron.
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TRS and SERS Plan 3 Seminar - Nov. 1
TRS and SERS Plan 3 members are invited to an hour-long seminar on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 4-5 p.m., in the Administrative Center Board Room. The seminar will cover:
- The structure of the plan
- Calculation of benefits
- Investment selection
- The Retirement Strategies portfolios
- Changes to the Stock Index funds and transitioning money from closing funds to new funds
This is an excellent opportunity to bring in a quarterly statement if you need help understanding it or to ask questions about your personal portfolio. Register by emailing Toni Damron.
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Important Payroll Information for Northshore Employees
Dec. 30 Payday Information
All direct deposits will be processed and in employees' accounts on payday, Dec. 30.
2011 W-2 Information
If you have recently experienced any circumstances (e.g., dramatic increase/decrease in income, change in marital or dependent status) which would warrant a change in your exemption status on your W-4, you may want to file an amended W-4 form. This must be done by the 15th of the month you wish the change to become effective. Log onto Employee Online for the 2011 W4 form. Please complete the form and send to Toni Damron in the Benefits Office. Contact Toni, 425.408.7610, tdamron@nsd.org, for more information.
W-2s will be issued by Jan. 31, 2012. It is important to have correct information in our files. Please take a moment and log onto Employee Online to verify that your current address is on file (i.e. apt #, zip code, avenue, street, etc.) and your name is correct as printed on your social security card. You may change your address in Employee Online.
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BRAVOS to Northshore Staff!
Know a Northshore staff member that has gone above and beyond in their job or in the community? Honor them by nominating them for a BRAVO! Selected nominees will be featured in Staff BRAVOS on Northshore's Web site.
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Standard Time Begins Nov. 6
Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour.
Many fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks. More than 90% of homes in the U.S. have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.
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On the Web
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Calendar
Oct. 31: Deadline for in-person registration for Nov. 8 General Election
Nov. 6: Standard time begins, set clocks BACK one hour
Nov. 8: General Election, remember to vote
Nov. 8: School Board Meeting, 4 p.m., Administrative Center Board Room
Nov. 10: No School, Teacher Work Day
Nov. 11: No School, Veterans Day
District Calendars and Planner
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Northshore e-News is published and delivered to your e-mail box every other week during the school year, (once in February, July and December). It is designed to inform employees about the strategic direction of the Northshore School District as well as provide routine information of interest to district employees. To submit items for e-News, please send them to e-News Editor by Tuesday of each School Board meeting.
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