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math or foreign languages, where continuous practice is helpful. “Kids might have a history class in the fall and then not have it again until the spring,� Spencer said. The system also means that when state testing comes around, some students have had more instruction time in certain subjects than other students. “Some have had more time to prepare,� Spencer said. “It would be preferable if everyone was finishing right at the time that the testing is occurring.� The district decided that while looking at the high school schedule, it would also consider the middle school’s, with hopes of creating a common schedule shared by both schools. Spencer said this type of schedule would make it easier for advanced middle schoolers to take classes at the high school and for staff to teach at both schools, something that happens
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to a certain extent already. Islander Stephanie VanDevanter said that when her daughter was in middle school she qualified to take a high school math class, but couldn’t because of the schedules. VanDevanter, who now has two children at the high school, said she also thinks semester-based classes, which most high schools offer, would be easier for colleges’ admissions offices to translate. “I think it would be fine to go to semesters. I would love to see it aligned,� she said. Carrie Van Buren, however, said her two high-school children have appreciated that the current trimester schedule allows them to take a wide variety of electives and change classes more often than a semester schedule would. “They fear that variety and the change that comes with each tri would be taken away,� she said. “That it would be more mediocre.� While it’s too early to tell what the best solution may be, Spencer said, the committee is open to reconsidering all aspects of the school schedule, Spencer said,
including the number of terms, and number of periods in a day. “There are a whole variety of ways you can configure (class) time,� she said. Earlier this year the group looked at the schedules of the nation’s top performing schools, talking with some of their administrators over the phone. Now it will look at what Vashon students, parents and teachers say should be priorities in the new schedule, and this winter the district will hold at least one community forum on the topic. “Hopefully by then we’ll have a better idea of which way we’re leaning, and we’ll gather feedback,� she said. With a clearer vision, committee members will then do site visits at other schools before working to craft a plan for Vashon. Spencer said she expects the committee will have a recommendation for the superintendent and school board to consider this spring. “We’re getting to the exciting part now,� Spencer said. “Now were going to start diving in and get opinions from a whole variety of people.�
Page 13
Park board selects new member John Hopkins was selected to join the Vashon Park District’s board of commissioner’s last week, filling the spot held for two years by Michael Deblasi, who resigned last month. Hopkins, a 46-year resident of Vashon whose resume includes a long list of volunteer positions on the Island, told the four commissioners last week that he wanted to join the board in keeping with his belief in the Vashon Island Rotary’s motto — “service above self.� What's more, he said, the timing is perfect, as he just completed a six-year term on the Vashon Community Care board. In a questionnaire he completed for the position, he said he saw the park district’s biggest challenges as “the need to build trust� among the board, staff and community, “to hire a very capable� general manager and to “clearly present the financial position of the district.� He told the board last week that he believed he could help. “I
understand budgets,� he said. Scott Harvey, a banker who recently wrote a letter to the editor calling on all four commissioners to resign, also applied for the spot, doing so, however, after the application period had closed. Even so, the board agreed to consider him. “I applaud you for being the critic who steps up,� Commissioner David Hackett told him. After public interviews, the four members of the board went into executive session. When they came out, they voted for Hopkins, 4-0. Hopkins will be sworn in at the park commissioners’ annual retreat on Jan. 5. A retired marketing and sales professional, Hopkins has served on the Vashon Island School District board, Vashon Youth & Family Services’ board and as president of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council.
Our “Living Room Chat� series is presented to help seniors in our community come together and to learn how to prepare for emergencies and to spot scams and con artists who deceive our seniors.
Don’t miss our “Living Room Chat� series designed to help protect seniors.
JANUARY EVENTS AN OVERVIEW OF “LIVING ROOM CONVERSATION� Tuesday, January 8th, 2:30 p.m. Officer Alex Chapackdee of the Seattle Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit will give an overview of “Living Room Conversation� and the focus on emergency preparedness, crime and safety. ELDER FRAUD & RESOLUTION Tuesday, January 15th, 7:00 p.m. Liz Mulligan of Fraud Resolution for Seniors, will present solutions to help seniors avoid and recover from financial exploitation. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Tuesday, January 29th, 2:30 p.m. Debbie Goetz, Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP), Office of Emergency Management Presentation:  Get Ready, Get Connected, Get Strong for any potential emergency!
— Leslie Brown
Can We Talk? Please RSV P RSVP VP Three Thre Th ree re e Days Days iin Advance Da Seating is limited, and reservations are required for all events.
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Here at Daystar Retirement Village, we are dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and keeping them safe from harm’s way. Bring a friend and join us for one of these public informational presentations.
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