April 2018

Wilson leads by example as DECA state president

DECA President Jonathan Wilson Lakes High School senior Jonathan Wilson currently serves as the Washington DECA state president. He helped lead the state DECA conference in March.

Jonathan Wilson embraced being a DECA member throughout his high school experience at Lakes High School.

"I joined DECA and struggled my first year - but sticking with it was one of the best decisions of my life," Jonathan said.

After placing in an event at the state-level conference as a sophomore, Jonathan traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to compete at the international conference. Now, he is finishing up his senior year serving as the Washington DECA state president.

"At my first international conference, I really saw what DECA was all about, just the scale of it and the positive impact it had on people," Jonathan said.

DECA is a student organization established to prepare student leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Students use knowledge and problemsolving skills to work through business-like scenarios.

Serving as the Lakes DECA chapter president last year, Jonathan's ambition grew along with his fondness for DECA. He eventually set his sights on serving as the state president and, after campaigning, he was elected last March.

"Jonathan evolved from just being a DECA member into a strong leader," said Lakes DECA advisor Randy Wilson. "He takes initiative, leads others by example and sincerely takes interest in other students."

As the state president, Jonathan is one of 12 servant leaders on the Washington DECA state officer team this year. His primary role is to lead the other officers, help organize and run events and visit high schools around the state to talk to students about the DECA program. He has visited 30 schools so far this year as state president.

Jonathan credits his desire to serve to his younger brother Jacobi. A freshman at Lakes, Jacobi has autism and is unable to speak. Jonathan grew up speaking for him and looking after him.

"I didn't think I had the courage to be a leader," Jonathan said. "I thought leaders had to be domineering but I realized I have been a servant leader for Jacobi my entire life."

Lakes girls wrestling team wins academic state championship

The Lakes girls wrestling team earned the 3A academic state championship for the 2017-18 school year. They led all 3A teams with a team average grade point average of 3.46.

"With student athletes, it takes an extra bit of juggling," said coach Trisha Pak. "The girls have not only been able to excel athletically but academically as well. That's a huge balance."

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) began selecting academic state champions for each classification in each sport in 1999. This is the first time a team from Clover Park School District has earned the honor.

The team was recognized by the WIAA in February.

2017-18 Lakes High School girls wrestling team The Lakes girls wrestling team earned the 3A academic state championship for the 2017-18 school year.


Lakes student earns Act Six scholarship

CPHS DECA club opens student store

Lakes High School senior Grace Jeong earned a full-tuition, full-need Act Six scholarship. She will attend Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash.

Grace Jeong

Lakes High School senior Grace Jeong earned a full-tuition, full-need Act Six scholarship. Act Six is a leadership and scholarship program that develops urban and community leaders to be agents of transformation on campus and in their home communities.

Jeong was among 25 students in the Puget Sound region selected as new Act Six scholars. According to Act Six, students were selected through a rigorous threemonth competition among more than 1,000 applicants.

"It was like a big, heavy burden was lifted off my shoulder," Jeong said about winning the scholarship. "Being able to help in creating a good name for Lakewood and Tacoma is an honor. I love my community and I can't wait to give back."

Jeong plans to major in business management or psychology at Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash.

Opening a student store isn't an easy task. Just ask Clover Park High School DECA advisor Kitti Wheeler, she'll tell you all about it.

When Wheeler was hired at CPHS four years ago, she stepped into a position that had been vacant for more than a decade. There wasn't a DECA program; there wasn't a student store; and marketing classes weren't offered at the school.

"When I came here, there was no culture of having marketing or a DECA program," Wheeler said. "So that's one thing we've been trying to establish-that culture."

Wheeler began by making presentations and recruiting students she thought would flourish in the new program.

The biggest challenge was opening a student store at the school for the first time in more than 12 years.

There were a lot of hoops to jump through, including health department requirements and making sure the goods they were selling fit healthy food guidelines. Finding a location was another challenge.

"Most teachers, when they get their job, the store is already there," Wheeler said. "My students have seen all the stages of writing a business plan, doing the research and pricing. They've seen every step it takes to open a business."

At first, the student store was just a mobile kiosk. Not having a sink limited the types of products students could sell. This year, things are different.

The CPHS student store opened in October as a permanent fixture. Students sell snacks, supplies and Italian sodas. They even make deliveries to staff members.

"Mrs. Wheeler had a vision; but we didn't have anything when I started as a freshman," said CPHS senior Brianna Ramey. "Everything you need to do to open a new business, like the health department check, we've had to do from the bottom up."

Clover Park High School DECA members running student store The Clover Park High School DECA club opened its student store this year for the first time in more than a decade.

So far this year, the CPHS DECA program has earned more than $11,000 from the store, which is used to pay for the club's expenses. In addition to the store, students also sell stickers, apparel and award plaques.

"Earning more than 10 grand starting from nowhere is pretty remarkable," said senior Sasha Courtright. "The skills we learn and what Mrs. Wheeler offers to us is something I personally won't ever forget."


Future Operators of Washington program prepares seniors for construction careers

Preparing students for future careers doesn't just happen during the school day in Clover Park School District (CPSD). A new after-school program gives high school students the chance to learn about opportunities that don't require a college degree.

The Future Operators of Washington (FOW) program introduces high school seniors to a variety of careers in heavy highway construction. It describes the types of careers available in the field and provides networking opportunities with industry-connected professionals.

A CPSD student operating heavy construction equipment The Future Operators of Washington program introduces students to a variety of careers in heavy highway construction.

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Students learn about the careers in that field directly from people doing that kind of work," said Diane Carver, CPSD Director of Career and College Readiness. "They also go on field trips and earn certifications that wouldn't normally be available to them as high school students."

Students meet twice a week for five weeks and learn about career options, visit construction sites and earn First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator certifications. Participating students can also dedicate two Saturdays to earn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour certification.

All of the extra classroom time gives students a head start on the job market once they graduate. The program also offers opportunities to students heading off to college, as they can potentially work in construction while going to school.

The FOW program comes to CPSD via a partnership with the Association of General Contractors (AGC). Looking to expand a dwindling labor force, AGC explored partnerships with area school districts. CPSD officials jumped at the opportunity.

"We want to be able to offer as many opportunities as we can for students," Carver said. "If we can work with organizations to provide something we are not able to offer on our own, that's all the better."

The program just concluded a stint at Clover Park High School and starts at Lakes High School this month. Both high schools will offer the program again during the 2018-19 school year.

"When they graduate, students are prepared to enter the industry if they want - they have all of the requirements and knowledge they need," said Sarah Babcock, AGC Education Foundation Programs Marketing and Outreach Manager.

The program mostly offers students the chance to understand opportunities available to them. Paid internships are available for students who show a strong interest in the field. For more information, contact the CPSD college and career readiness department at 253-583-5195.


ESSA shifts state accountability system

In January, the United States Department of Education approved Washington state's plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA works by identifying the needs of each school every year and providing funding congruent with those needs.

ESSA was passed in 2015 as a replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). While NCLB brought focus to education gaps across the nation, legislators agreed the law was overly punitive to schools and districts. ESSA builds on the positive aspects of NCLB and allows states to determine what measures will be taken to improve schools.

Washington state's plan is focused on accountability that emphasizes student sub-groups that have been historically underserved, as well as increasing graduation rates and expanding college and career readiness.

Schools will be classified as needing either comprehensive or targeted support. Schools in the comprehensive category are roughly the bottom five percent of schools according to the new ESSA performance score measure. Comprehensive schools receive support to increase the overall education of all students.

Targeted schools will be accountable for specific subgroup populations where a growth and/or proficiency gap exists according to the accountability index. Those schools receive support to help increase performance for the identified subgroups.

ESSA continues to use achievement on standardized tests to identify schools and also uses five other indicators: student growth; English learner progress; attendance; ninth graders on track to graduate; and advanced course enrollment. The intent is to foster a more comprehensive understanding of a school's performance.

"The new accountability indicators outlined in Washington state's plan allows us to dig deeper into our student data and pinpoint specific gaps that exist," said Tess McCartan, CPSD Director of Teaching and Learning. "Better understanding where our students are succeeding, as well as the challenges they may be facing, ensures that we are being as intentional as we can in serving our diverse learners."

The district will have schools in both the comprehensive and targeted support groups. Those designations should help increase the level of support CPSD can offer to students whose school does not meet the standards set by the state.

CPSD earns first place Magna Award for Open Doors program

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Clover Park School District (CPSD) has received a 2018 first place Magna Award from the National School Boards Association. The award recognizes CPSD's Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program, which provides students with flexible education plans to help them earn their high school diploma.

CPSD is the only school district in Washington state, and only one of 15 in the country, to receive the honor this year.

The Magna Awards honor districts across the country for programs that break down barriers for underserved students. A panel of school board members, administrators and other educators selected the winners from more than 100 submissions.

This year, the Magna Awards recognized school districts and their leaders for their efforts to bring educational equity to their students.

"Our Open Doors program has made a big difference in Clover Park School District and we are proud to receive national recognition for its efforts," said CPSD Superintendent Debbie LeBeau. "Finding new ways to help students graduate is a priority in this modern world and one we take very seriously here."

Three grand prize winners were awarded in each of three enrollment categories. CPSD was joined by four other school districts as first place winners in the 5,000 to 20,000 student enrollment category.

All 2018 winners are highlighted in the April issue of American School Board Journal.

Twenty-five district teachers earn National Board Certification

Twenty-five Clover Park School District (CPSD) teachers recently earned their National Board Certification. CPSD has one of the highest percentages of National Board Certificated teachers in Pierce County. Thirteen percent of CPSD educators are National Board Certified

Two district staff also renewed their certification this year.

National Board Certification is an advanced teaching credential. As part of the process, teachers analyze their teaching content and students' needs, submit videos of their teaching and provide student work samples that demonstrate growth and achievement.

Since 2005, 201 CPSD staff have achieved National Board Certification.

"The exemplary work ethic and commitment to student achievement that these NBCTs exemplify is shaping the culture of our schools," said Jan Lonsway, CPSD Supervisor of Professional Development. "Their leadership and passion really empowers our students to work hard and achieve their own goals."

Currently, 60 more CPSD educators are working on their National Board Certification.

CPSD National Board certified teachers Twenty-five CPSD teachers were honored for earning National Board Certification this year. Two other district staff members renewed their certification this year.