District calendar and bell schedule 2009-2010

You can download both the 2009-2010 school calendar and updated bell schedule. There are no changes to Mt. View's times but if you have students at other district schools, especially Aspire Middle School, you may want to check them out.

Principal Randy Weeks @ Fun Fair

Lacey Spring Fun Fair: Lacey Spring Fun Fair 2009 was a huge success and North Thurston Public Schools played a big part.

In Kids World, North Thurston Public Schools partnered with the South Sound Reading Foundation to make bookmarks and gave away more than 1,500 children's books. Dr. Koval, Asst. Supt. Shawn Lewis, and principals Randy Weeks (MV), Karen Johnson (EF), Bruce Walton (PG) and Ron Sisson (SO) also read stories to children throughout the weekend. Student art was also put on display by NTPS visual art teachers in the lobby. Thanks to all the staff and community volunteers!

Track meet kudos to Mt. View runners!

You might recognize a few names with new district records...!

Track and Field

Both elementary students and middle schoolers from around the district had the chance to enjoy the great outdoors and compete in two recent track meets organized respectively by Evergreen Forest's John Tanner and Chinook's Rich Wind.

"It's a great opportunity to highlight the value of extracurricular programs in our public schools…these programs teach important life skills including team work, integrity, respect and striving for our goals," said Wind, who has organized the middle school event for 6 years. He also invites outside districts, including Olympia and Tumwater, to participate, and this year was able to award medals made possible in part through gate donations. Students from Komachin, Nisqually and Chinook all took home some medals.

"Your team has to depend on each other more at a competitive, invitational meet like this," said Komachin 7th grader, Kathleen, who won a medal in the 4 x 100 relay hurdles.

"I think it's a nice way to honor our excellent middle school student athletes," said Komachin teacher and coach Katherine Davis . "It's also nice to see what other schools are doing and increase the competition."

Celebrating its 9th year, the two elementary meets include more than 300 5th and 6th grade student athletes from NTPS elementary schools. "We're probably nearing 5,000 kids participating over the years," Tanner said. "We have wonderful volunteers who keep coming back year after year even though their kids are in high school or college too."

Several students set new district records...

• Brandon Morgan Evergreen Forest 5th Boys 400meter dash 1:10.20
• Callan Russell Woodland 6th Girls 800m dash 2:49.45
• Josh Pentz Mt. View 6th Boys 100m hurdles 15.54
• Stevie Cleveland Mt. View 6th Boys 50m dash 7.42
• Sam Tarabochia 6th Boys 800m dash 2:36.50
• Ika Morton Evergreen Forest Long Jump 14' 11.5"
• Evergreen Forest 5th Boys 4x100 meter relay (Derek Walter/Quinton Taylor/Ryan Birbeck/Ben Rood) 1:00.81
• Horizons 5th Boys 4x200 relay (Evan Olson/Easton Trakel/Deon Commet/Trevion Campbell ) 2:10.51
• Evergreen Forest 6th Girls 4x200m relay (Michael Simmons/Faith Cebula/Brianna Attwood/Alyssa Gilchrist ) 2:10.04

Message from WA State PTA Region 4 Dir

Region Director Message

It’s exciting as we come closer to the end of the school year with the promise of warm, sunny summer days ahead. In PTA this is the season for elections and the time to begin preparing for transition. Hopefully, your elections have gone well or will go well and those people who have been chosen to act as your PTA boards for next year are excited and ready to continue in the work for our children. I have a few thoughts to share regarding these upcoming changes and transitions.

First, let me thank everyone of you for your work in PTA this year. For most units this year has seen a growth in membership numbers, increased involvement from parent volunteers and the implementation of many new and beneficial programs and opportunities in our schools. The really is no sure way to acknowledge the good that you have contributed to our communities through your efforts. I hope that as you, the current board leadership, prepare to turn your local PTA units over to new, incoming leadership that you take the time to be sure that your paperwork is order and that all of your records from membership to treasury are accurate and current. This will save time for the incoming board, allow them to continue from where you left off and in general, start them off on the right foot.

Secondly, take some time to talk with the new board about your goals, ideas and plans. If the new board has a clear vision of what you have been working for, why and what the end goal is, they can be better positioned to continue the work once they assume their posts. Discuss with them the programs and processes that have been successful, as well as those that haven’t been. The more the incoming board understands about your local unit’s history, the better prepared they will be to continue to bring success to it. And remember, success in your PTA means better opportunities to your children, a strengthening of your school and positive consequences for your communities.

Third, please be sure to register your new board members with Washington State PTA. Please be careful to ensure that all of their contact information is correct. Be sure to take care of this at the earliest possible moment. From the region’s perspective, the less time we spend tracking down the members of local unit boards the more time we have to actually serve the members of our region. Also be sure that the incoming board is aware of the leadership conference scheduled for August 8th and 9th at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia. This is where your unit can connect with the region service delivery team and become trained in their jobs. This conference is exciting and motivating and will get your incoming board off to a strong start!

Finally, take some time to reflect on the past year. Recognize the good that has come from your efforts both as a collective whole and as individuals. Your efforts are appreciated by thousands whose voices you do not hear. Know that this time sacrificed by you has made a difference in the world that we all share.

I hope to meet many of you in the coming months as we participate in local, region and state gatherings. Bets of luck to you all and enjoy the sun…while it lasts!

Catherine Christensen
Incoming Region 4 Director

Message from Superintendent Koval

Dear NTPS families and community members,

Earlier this month I made one of the toughest recommendations of my career - a $4.8 million budget reduction including 65 staff positions. While this reduction was made necessary by major cuts in state funding for basic education, it was not a recommendation I made lightly. Not only are we losing some important student programs with these cuts, but also some valuable people that have dedicated many years of service to our district.

The adoption of this proposal on May 4 by the School Board (4-0) was not without misgivings or concern. The district appreciates those who came to testify about the cuts, as well as those who took part in the public involvement process, from online surveys to Town Hall meetings and personal emails. In my view, there is really not a non-essential thing on the reduction list, but the reality remains that we are now a district that will have to do more with fewer resources.

The 2009-10 budget will not be formally approved until August, but I would encourage you to educate yourself about the reduction list and upcoming funding proposals which may include a levy renewal next year. Visit our budget website at http://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/budget.

As I complete my last month in this district as your Superintendent, I am very aware that decisions we make today will impact generations of kids to come - including my own grandchildren who attend schools in the district.

Again, thank you for your continued support of our district, our schools and most especially, the students. I hope that despite the challenges we may face, this district will continue to always put students and their success first and foremost. They are worth it!

Sincerely,

360-412-4413

Dr. Jim Koval, NTPS Superintendent
jkoval@nthurston.k12.wa.us

News from your School Board

NTSB met on May 4th - here are a few items of note:

• The Board approved (4-0) a budget reduction proposal brought forward by Supt. Dr. Jim Koval. "There is not a non-essential thing on this reduction list," Koval said. "We are a district that will again have to do more with less resources. Not only are we losing some important things with these cuts but some important and valuable people." The proposal included both higher rates for secondary athletic fees and lunches, along with 65 staff positions, change in program models and staffing. To see details of these cuts go to www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/budget.
• Executive Director of Student and Staff Support, Maddy de Give, and Katy Lehman, Elementary Intervention Specialist, updated the Board on the Elementary Counseling grant, including PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership), which enlists current students to welcome and outreach program to new students.
• Financial Update: Asst. Supt. Shawn Lewis said that despite a downturn in enrollment, which drives the state funding formula, he is hopeful that "we are close to hitting the budget mark." He indicated that the district will end the year with an annual average FTE enrollment down 20 FTE.

May minutes posted

Click here for the minutes from the May meeting, including the election of officers and review of our Standing Rules. It wasn't a high turnout but we handled a lot of business and made plenty of announcements for various items and events. Please note the need for volunteers, not only for this Friday's Fun Night but also for the two Field Days in June!

You can also download previous minutes, newsletters and various other PTA and related documents here, as always (After clicking, scroll to the bottom of the page).

2009-2010 PTA Officers Elected

By your vote, your PTA officers for 2009-2010:

President - Brian Morgan
Co-VP - Tara-Lyn Poole
Co-VP - Keli Wetherald
Secretary - Shawn Smith
Treasurer - Tabitha Gant

ALL of next year's committees need depth and volunteers - Chairs, co-Chairs and assistants are all being recruited! More hands make light work and all that...

Please contact Brian Morgan if you are interested in any particular committee for 2009-2010 or have questions about duties for any volunteer opportunity. Committees include:

• Fundraising
• Membership
• Beautification
• Open House
• Fun Nights
• Recycling
  
• Newsletter
• Bazaar
• Budget
• Audit
  
• Yearbook
• Business Partners
• Student Appreciation
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Book Fair
• Field Day

Volunteers needed - Fun Night & Field Days!

If you have been waiting for that perfect moment to volunteer your time at Mt. View, here are some wonderful opportunities:

Family Fun Night - Friday, May 15 - 5:30 p.m.
This is a Beach-themed dance, complete with DJ, from 6-8 p.m.
The ever-famous Tacos in a Bag will be available for $2.50 and soda for $0.50.

We have plenty of volunteers with Food Handler permits but need a few parent volunteers who can help with set-up, clean-up or monitoring doors and hallways during the dance itself.

Field Days - Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17
Is there anyone out there who would be interested in coordinating this event and its volunteers?
We need PLENTY of volunteers for the various events, which I can tell you is quite entertaining! No experience necessary, I promise!

Please contact President Jodi Boutin or Vice President Sabrina Hageman if you are interested in volunteering for Fun Night and/or Field Days!

April/May newsletter posted

If you would like to download the latest Mt. View PTA Newsletter, here you go!

Thanks very much to Newsletter Editor extraordinaire Tara-Lyn Poole, who has graciously published the newsletter for the past two years. As a former editor myself, I know that it takes a good deal of time throughout each month, especially with constant revisions at (and past!) deadline. Thanks, Tara-Lyn!

April minutes have been posted

If you would like to view the minutes from April's PTA meeting, click here.

We hope to see you at Tuesday's meeting: May 12th - 6:30 p.m.

If you have items you would like considered for the May agenda, please contact President Jodi Boutin.

North Thurston rethinks music cuts

VENICE BUHAIN; The Olympian

LACEY – Fifth-grade band and orchestra will be saved under North Thurston’s newest budget reduction proposal.

District officials had considered cutting the program to save $135,000, but parents showed support for the program, so the district will instead look for efficiencies in scheduling the band and orchestra teachers, said spokeswoman Courtney Schrieve.

The board reviewed a proposal of $4.8 million in cuts to the district’s 2009-10 budget. Districts throughout the state face budget cuts because of shortfalls in state funding to public schools.

Other proposals include:

• Eliminating the Talented and Gifted program for first grade.

• Raising high school athletic fees from $75 a sport to $100 a sport. The football fee would be $125.

• Raising middle school athletic fees from $40 a year to $60 a year.

• Reducing full-time librarians at the middle schools.

• Increasing lunch prices by 25 cents.

• Eliminating food reimbursements for teachers, administrators and other adults who are traveling or at meetings.

• Lowering the temperature of the district’s pools and pool buildings, which one respondent suggested could save $36,000.

There will also be a reduction of 26.5 full-time equivalent teachers throughout all the grades, but that will be reached through retirements, resignations and the non-renewal of one-year contracts, so layoffs will not be necessary, Schrieve said.

Other staff reductions include eight administrators or supervisors, one office professional at each of the middle and high schools, a mechanic and 3.5 full-time equivalent custodians.

The school board will consider adoption of the budget reductions at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the district office, 305 College St. N.E., Lacey.

Venice Buhain is the education reporter at The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.

Volunteer Coordinators Recognized

Volunteer Coordinators: Volunteer Coordinators from our elementary and middle schools were recognized by the School Board on Monday in honor of National School Volunteer Week this month. These women have dedicated countless hours to managing volunteer efforts in their schools to support staff and students. Last year the district had more than 4,000 volunteers donate an estimated 160,000 hours to our district. Thanks to Partnership Services Administrator Jackie Crowley for her leadership of this giving group:

• Lori Underwood-Evergreen Forest
• Espie DiIorio - Horizons Primary
• Mona Whitt - Horizons Primary
• Jodi Elliot - Horizons Primary
• Tammy Anderson-Horizons Intermediate
• Pam Davis-Lacey
• Julie Evans-Lydia Hawk
• Ruth Dilworth-Lydia Hawk
• Dawn Gramling-Meadows
• Claudia Rodriguez-Meadows
• Leslie Stepherson-Meadows
• Dawn Borgen-Olympic View
• Tina Sempek-Pleasant Glade
• Teresa Scott-Seven Oaks
• Heidi Peppley-Seven Oaks
• Raymi Bates-South Bay
• Karmen Galvin-South Bay
• Aimee Smith-South Bay
• Kim Rohr-Woodland
• Jodie Warner-Lakes
• Sam Lee-Lakes
• Nina Hoppe-Chinook
• Karen Edwards - Nisqually
• Sabrina Hageman-Mt. View
• Jodi Boutin- Mt. View