August 2016

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District graduation rate jumps more than 11 percent

Clover Park School District's preliminary graduation rates show an increase from 76.6 percent in 2014-15 to 88.4 percent in 2016, an 11.8 percent increase. Even though Clover Park High School (CPHS) maintained similar enrollment of seniors from the previous year, its graduation rate increased 11 percent rising from 70.3 in 2014-15 to 80.3 in 2015-16. Lakes High School's graduation percentage increased from 87 in 2014-15 to 94.5 this year and 100 percent of Harrison Prep's seniors graduated in 2015-16, up from 97.3 percent last year.

There are a number of reasons for the significant increase in graduation rates, especially when state requirements are more rigorous than ever. Students must earn credit for the required courses, complete community service hours, a high school and beyond plan and pass state tests. Secondary teachers and counselors worked individually with students and families for four years to ensure students were on track for graduation. Students had many opportunities to receive extra tutoring and homework support throughout all four years.

One of the biggest areas of improvement was seen at CPHS, where an area of focus was helping struggling students pass courses. Teachers looked at grades, attendance and test scores and monitored student progress in their classes. Teachers worked with students who were at risk of failing classes and worked with parents to develop strategies to pass the class. As a result, the percentage of students failing classes at CPHS dropped from 25 percent in 2014-15 to 12 percent in 2015-16.

"Students who were struggling weren't just given a passing grade to make the school's numbers look better. These students worked hard to understand the material to pass the state assessments and the results are shown in our increased graduation rates," said assistant superintendent for secondary schools Moureen David. "The best we can do is engage the minds of students and give them hope for the future despite what might be going on in their personal lives."

The Open Doors Re-Engagement Program was another reason for the increased rates. Open Doors is for students aged 16-21 who didn't succeed in a traditional high school setting and provides flexible learning opportunities in a classroom setting or completing online course work. Twenty-four students graduated from this program in 2015-16 and earned a state diploma by meeting the state graduation requirements of 20 credits (this increases to 24 credits in 2019) and passing required state assessments. Students earning a Clover Park School District diploma must successfully complete 30 credits as well as pass state assessments.

Graduation rates will be finalized in the coming months by the state.

Class of 2016 earns academic, extracurricular honors

The graduating class of 2016 earned numerous awards and scholarships while at Clover Park and Lakes High Schools and Harrison Preparatory School:

$ IS
$14,691,879Total dollar amount of scholarships recived

481 Graduates
57 Honor Graduates
143 Award and Scholarhip recipients
3 Washington State Honor Awards
1 National Merit finalists
1 National Merit Commended students
2 National scholarship
114 Academic scholarships/honors at entrance
1 Appointment to military academy
1 Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship- Air Force
2 Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship- Army
140 Community service awards and scholarships
26 Fine arts awards/scholarships
70 Other scholastic awards
64 Other vocational achievements/certificates

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Work for us!

Top 5 reasons to work for CPSD

There are many opportunities to be more involved with your community through employment with Clover Park School District (CPSD). You can work with students in a classroom or in a variety of support positions within your neighborhood in an award-winning school district. Salary and benefits in CPSD are very competitive when compared with neighboring school districts. CPSD has a number of full- and part-time opportunities available to Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord residents.

Interested in becoming a teacher? If you hold a bachelor's or master's degree, CPSD partners with local colleges and universities to support Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification. Contact the district's Human Resources Department for more information.

If you are interested in working with students in a support position inside or outside the classroom, there are a number of full- and part-time positions that are very fulfilling including nurses, bus drivers, teacher assistants, clerical and other support roles. You will see firsthand the positive impact you can have on a child's life.

"We are seeking diverse, highly skilled, innovative, talented and motivated people who are invested in making an impact on student achievement," said Lori McStay, executive director for human resources. "We know working in the field of education requires enormous skill, passion, creativity and most of all, a strong commitment to children. New staff joining the district will receive mentoring and professional development to ensure their success."

Please visit the district website for current positions or call Human Resources at 253-583-5080.

Former CPSD student gives back to Custer Elementary

Josh Weaver's experience attending CPSD schools inspired him to volunteer several days a week at Custer Elementary. Weaver was part of CPSD's special education Alfaretta Transition Program. He attended several schools during his academic career including Custer. Weaver's positive interaction with the former chief custodian influenced him to give back to the school. Josh Weaver
Custer Elementary alumnus Josh Weaver volunteers several days a week keeping the school clean for students and staff.

During the summer, the maintenance and custodial crews have a large amount of work getting schools ready for the start of the new school year. This summer, Weaver has helped current chief custodian, Dan Watson, with several projects around the school. Weaver cleans windows, makes sure exit signs are properly displayed and ensures the school grounds and playground are clean for the YMCA summer camp program. During the school year, he also sets up tables during lunches, takes out the garbage and interacts with students at lunches.

"The best part of volunteering is getting to know Custer's students and staff," said Weaver. "I really love helping at the school."

Custer principal Jane Al-Tamimi said Weaver does a great job helping the custodial staff and is very friendly.

"He really shows our students that everyone can take pride in their school and give back. He's a great role model for them."

Back to School Information

Start and Dismissal Times

Clover Park and Lakes

Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
7:25 a.m. 2:10 p.m. 11 a.m. 9:25 a.m.
Middle Schools
Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
8:45 a.m. 3:15 p.m. 12:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Harrison Prep
Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
8:45 a.m. 3:15 p.m. 12:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Firwood/Oak Grove
Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
8:45 a.m. 3:15 p.m. 12:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.

Elementary Schools

Carter Lake, Evergreen, Four Heroes, Idlewild, Lakeview Hope Academy, Rainier, Tillicum and Tyee Park

Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
7:45 a.m. 2:15 p.m. 11:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m.

Elementary Schools

Beachwood, Custer, Dower, Hillside, Lake Louise, Meriwether, Oakbrook and Park Lodge

Start Dismissal Early
Release		 Two Hour
Delay
8:30 a.m. 3 p.m. 12 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

Meal Prices

Free and reduced price meals are available to students who qualify. For more information, call 253-583-5490.

ELEMENTARY Breadkfast Lunch
Regular Price $1.65 $2.75
Reduced price $0.30 $0.40
Staff $2.45 $3.95
Milk $0.55 $0.55
SECONDARY Breadkfast Lunch
Regular Price $1.80 $3.00
Reduced price $0.30 $0.40
Staff $2.45 $3.95
Milk $0.55 $0.55

Board adopts 2016-17 school year budget

Adopted 2016-17 school year budget

Prior to its regular meeting on July 11, the Clover Park School District Board of Directors heard an overview of the proposed 2016-17 school year budget. In her presentation, director of financial services Kristy Magyar shared information on 2016- 17 enrollment projections, beginning fund balance for the general fund, budgeted expenditures and revenues and materials, supplies and operating costs.

Magyar's presentation also included budget information for the associated student body, debt service, capital projects and transportation vehicle funds.

For questions about the budget, please call Magyar at 253-583-5021.

Operating Revenue $170,915,628
Plus Capacity 6,500,000
Total Revenues $171,415,628

Defense grant supports military students

DoDEA logo

Clover Park School District has been awarded a fiveyear, $1.5 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to provide additional support for military-dependent students at Mann and Woodbrook Middle Schools, Harrison Preparatory School and Lakes High School.

The grant will help improve achievement of military students in grades 6 through 12 in math and English language arts using Response to Intervention (RTI), a multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs. The grant will also expand the district's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports programs at these schools and provide additional counseling services.

"We are excited to partner with Greater Lakes Mental Health to provide additional counseling services to military-connected students," said Brian Laubach, deputy superintendent. "We want to make sure they are given the tools and services to be as successful as possible."

The DoDEA grant program strengthens family-school-community relationships and enhances student achievement for military-dependent students.

This is the sixth DoDEA grant the district has received. The funding of the five-year grant began Aug. 1 and runs through July 2021. The district has received more than $10 million in DoDEA grants since 2009.

New school and administrative changes

Clover Park School District administrative changes for the 2016-17 school year.

Auxiliary Services Center

Paul Vigil is the district's new director of transportation. He replaces Delphie Nielsen, who held the position for nine years. Vigil has served as the district's supervisor for transportation since April 2010.

Clover Park High School

Matt Fiteny is an assistant principal at Clover Park High School (CPHS). He was a former co-principal of a public charter high school in Washington, D.C. Fiteny was also the founding director and dean of academics at the Maya Angelou Young Adult Learning Center for four years and taught in California for four years before moving to D.C.

Sheila Holter is an assistant principal at CPHS. She was the former assistant principal/athletic director at Wapato High School, in Wapato, Wash. for the past three years. Holter also taught language arts at La Center High School in La Center, Wash. for 14 years.

Dower Elementary School

Megan Qualls is the principal at Dower Elementary. She was the assistant principal at Four Heroes Elementary for the 2015-16 school year. For the 14 years prior to that, Megan was a general and special education teacher in Tacoma. She replaces Jennifer Moore.

Evergreen Elementary School

Marianne Rupprecht is the new assistant principal at Evergreen Elementary. Rupprecht has worked in CPSD since 2010 as a supervisor of curriculum and instruction in the Teaching and Learning Department. She replaces Jaclyn Shope, who is now the assistant principal at Four Heroes Elementary.

Four Heroes Elementary School

Jacyln Shope is the new assistant principal at Four Heroes Elementary. She was the former assistant principal at Evergreen Elementary. She replaces Megan Qualls, who is now the principal at Dower Elementary.

Harrison Preparatory School

Former CPHS assistant principal Kevin Rupprecht was appointed principal at Harrison Preparatory School and replaces Lisa Boyd, who accepted a position as principal in TPS. Rupprecht has been with the district since 2002.

Hudtloff Middle School

Cindy Adams,former assistant principal at Lakes High School, is the principal at Hudtloff Middle School. She served as a teacher, coordinator for alternative programs, dean of students, assistant principal for four years at CPHS and assistant principal for four years at Lakes. She replaces Greg Wilson, who is now the principal at Lochburn Middle School.

Lakes High School

Chelle Gallow is an assistant principal at Lakes High School. She has more than eight years of high school teaching and teacher leader experience gained in Florida. Gallow has vast experience with extracurricular clubs and activities, curriculum writing and leading a professional learning community.

Tanya Jones is an assistant principal at Lakes High School. Jones has 16 years of experience in suburban and urban school districts. Most recently, she served as the dean of students and math curriculum specialist at Franklin Pierce High School in Franklin Pierce School District.

Lochburn Middle School

Greg Wilson, former principal at Hudtloff Middle School, is the principal at Lochburn Middle School. He has 22 years of successful experience as an educator and administrator in Clover Park School District (CPSD). He replaces Josh Zarling, who accepted a position as principal in TPS.

Tyee Park Elementary School

Sean Schoenfeldtis the principal at Tyee Park Elementary. He has four years' experience as an elementary school principal, and was formerly at Muckleshoot Tribal School in Auburn. He replaces Taj Jensen, who accepted a position as principal in TPS.

Woodbrook Middle School

Rebecca Sprague is the assistant principal at Woodbrook Middle School. Last school year, Sprague served as the dean of students at Woodbrook, while she completed her administrative internship. Sprague replaces Jason Greer, who accepted a principal position in North Thurston School District.

CPSD is now on the air!

Microphone icon

Tune in the first Friday of the month to listen to a Clover Park School District administrator provide helpful school information during "Community Conversations " on KLAY-1180 AM.

Construction Update

Facilities Advisory Committee

The Facilities Advisory Committee will resume meetings in September. A link to information about the committee, and minutes from the two meetings held so far can be found on the district website under announcements.

2015 JBLM School Construction Project

Evergreen Elementary School

The exterior siding and interior walls of the new school are being painted. The classroom cabinet/casework is being installed throughout the school, along with the ceiling grid and tile. All playground equipment has been installed along with playground surfacing. Kitchen equipment is being installed including the walk-in cooler and freezer. In the commons and multipurpose room, the terrazzo flooring installation is well underway. Throughout the school, the tile flooring and tile wainscoting is in progress and carpet installation began in late July. Elevator installation has begun. Students and staff will be in the new school when school resumes after winter break in January 2017.