December 2015

Board approves replacement levy

In their meeting on Nov. 9, the Clover Park School District Board of Directors voted to propose a replacement, four-year educational programs and operations levy to voters on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016.

The Feb. 9 levy proposal will replace the district's current educational programs and operations levy, which expires in December 2016. It will not be a new tax.

If approved by voters, the levy will generate:

$23.5 million in 2017;
$23.5 million in 2018;
$23.5 million in 2019; and
$23.5 million in 2020.

The levy funds will be used in the following ways:

  • Classroom Support- Maintaining reduced class sizes; purchase of textbooks and instructional materials; purchase of library materials and librarians; districtwide teaching and learning activities, including training; and after-school and summer school programs.
  • School Technology- Classroom computers and instructional software.
  • Maintenance and Operations- School building maintenance (painting, roofing, flooring and lighting).
  • Safety and Security- Campus safety and security; and emergency management preparations.

"When approved, this levy proposition will allow the district to maintain its current educational programs and services," said Superintendent Debbie LeBeau.

The tax rate for the levy is anticipated to be $4.76 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

More information will be available soon.

Winter break quickly approaching

Snowflake icon

Schools will be closed for winter break starting Monday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 1. The Student and Auxiliary Services Center will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Dec. 30 through Friday, Jan. 1.

school tech
Seven percent of the 2012 levy funds were used for school technology including classroom computers, instructional software, upgraded wiring and Internet access costs.

Professinal development training class
First-year Tyee Park teachers Kao Lee and Kristel Lensmann lead a group during professional development training. Levy funds are used to provide districtwide teaching and learning activities, including training.

School Resource Officers
Keeping schools safe and secure is why a portion of levy funds are used to hire school resource officers. A portion of the 2012 levy funds was used to hire SROs to keep students and staff safe in schools.

Pogoncheff family honored, school involvement recognized

For the Pogoncheff family, giving back is a way of life. This is why the family was recognized by the Association of United States Army (AUSA) as the National Volunteer Family of the Year during its annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Stacie Pogoncheff (mother) volunteers in all her children's schools. She serves as treasurer for Mann Middle School's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), volunteers with Meriwether Elementary's PTSA and helps with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord's (JBLM) Exceptional Family Program. Oldest daughter Kelbie, a sophomore at Lakes High School, was recognized last year as JBLM's Youth Volunteer of the Year. Sergeant Blagoy Pogoncheff (father), a member of the 508th Military Police Battalion, and Kelbie's siblings - Kialie and Andon - also volunteer in a number of ways.

The Pogoncheff family
The Pogoncheff family was recognized as the Army's National Volunteer Family of the Year. (Back row, left to right) Stacie, mother and Blagoy, father. (Front row, left to right) Kelbie, Lakes High School sophomore; Andon, Meriwether Elementary third-grader; and Kialie, Mann Middle School eighth-grader.

"It's really great to give back," said Kelbie. "It builds a better community."

Stacie said they are still in a state of shock to receive the award and that many people have helped them over the years.

"Volunteerism really builds connections in the community and our family," said Stacie. "For a military family, it's about building resilience in my children."

The Pogoncheff family was flown to Washington, D.C. and recognized with a cash prize and gift basket courtesy of AUSA and Health Net.

District social worker honored for her work with families and profession

Sydney Sakamoto
Sydney Sakamoto is the Washington Association of School Social Workers' 2015 School Social Worker of the Year. Photo credit: Ann Pulkkinen

Clover Park School District (CPSD) special education social worker Sydney Sakamoto was named the 2015 School Social Worker of the Year by the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW).

"Sydney's co-workers and supervisors describe her as highly engaging and cite her expertise and compassion," said Tom Betterbed, CPSD supervisor of special education. "She provides a safe place for our most challenged students to build relationships and successfully develop skills which directly impact their overall school success."

Sakamoto has supported South Puget Sound families for more than two decades. She began working in CPSD in 2005 and currently rotates among Mann Middle School and Dower and Evergreen Elementary Schools.

"We are fiercely proud of her hard work for our families and the growth she provides for students," said Betterbed. "Sydney is an impeccable example of how good outcomes can be attained through a combination of patience and persistence."

Bus drivers and other substitutes needed!

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Do you have an excellent driving record and want a great part time job? Clover Park School District is interviewing now for substitute bus drivers. Clover Park will train and assist applicants with the process. Clover Park also offers many other substitute positions such as teachers, nurses, paraeducators, food service workers and custodians. These positions are great opportunities for parents to work the same schedule as their student's school schedule or for retirees.

For more information, please visit our website at www. cloverpark.k12.wa.us or contact the human resources department at 253-583-5094.

Daffodil princesses strive to be great role models

2015-16 Daffodil Princesses
Clover Park High School's Esther Wamagata (left) and Lakes' Melissa Kinney are the 2015-16 Daffodil Princesses.

In talking with this year's Daffodil Princesses Esther Wamagata and Melissa Kinney, you can tell these high school seniors will be great role models for the community. Wamagata, Clover Park High School's princess, was honored to be chosen and wants to encourage people to believe in themselves.

"It's important to let people know they have the strength to persevere and can overcome their challenges," said Wamagata.

Kinney, Lakes' princess, also wants to serve as a role model. This year's theme "Fun in the Sun" resonated with her and she saw "Sun" as an acronym that can sum up what it means to be a Daffodil Princess.

"'S' stands for "Service," 'U' stands for being 'Unafraid' and 'N' stands for "Nourishment,' just like the sun gives us nourishment," said Kinney.

Wamagata is part of her school's African American club, DECA and her church. Kinney is part of Lakes' JROTC, orchestra, National Honor Society and helps with bible study at her church.

The girls will represent their schools this school year by participating in activities such as reading to children and visiting hospital patients. They will compete for the title of "Queen of the Daffodil Festival" in spring 2016.

Grant helps students improve literacy

Tillicum Head Start students have new books to improve their reading skills thanks to a grant from the Molina Foundation. The school received 1,100 books for Tillicum's Head Start and the school's Early Head Start home visiting program, which delivered the books to families at their homes. Students reciving books
Tillicum Head Start students receive books thanks to a grant from the Molina Foundation.

"The goal is to build home libraries so every child has the opportunity to read," said Rachel Voorhees Orose, director of network and business development with the Molina Foundation.

Eduvina Reveles with Early Head Start collaborated with Molina Healthcare and was awarded the grant from the Molina Foundation. Molina representatives distributed the books to students.

"This is a great opportunity for our students and families," said Tillicum Elementary principal Jeff Miller. "The earlier we can get books into the hands of our students, the better the results in the classroom. They'll be that much better prepared for kindergarten."

Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to eligible children and their families. Early Head Start is a federally funded home visiting program that serves income eligible pregnant women and children up to three years of age.

City of Lakewood update

Mike Zaro appointed Lakewood police chief

City of Lakewood logo

In October, Mike Zaro was appointed the city of Lakewood police chief by city manager John Caulfied. Chief Zaro has served as interim police chief since April 2015, when former police chief Bret Farrar retired. Even before his term as interim police chief, he had been in charge of the police department on several occasions as acting police chief the past three years.

"I've had the opportunity to observe Mike's performance as interim police chief the last six months and I have been very pleased," Caulfield said. "His calm demeanor, demonstrated leadership and proven track record will serve the Lakewood community well. I've also gotten many compliments from the community and our city employees about Mike. It is evident he has earned the support and trust from many in the community."

Receive school closure information through FlashAlert

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Clover Park School District, through the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), is using FlashAlert Newswire to communicate school closure information due to bad weather, hazardous road conditions or other emergencies to local media sources. Parents, students, staff and community members can register up to three email and/or cell phone text addresses in a single account and receive information at the same time as the news media. A free iPhone/Android app, FlashAlert Messenger, is also available and allows families and the public to receive emergency messages - much faster and more reliable than text messages. As a subscriber you can also view all local emergency items and news releases on FlashAlertNewsire.net. Sign up today atwww.flashalert.net/signup.html.