Federal Way Mirror, October 19, 2011

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LETTERS | Lots of letters from readers on election-related topics [8, 15-16, 19]

VOL. 13, NO. 387

MIRROR

F E D E R A L WAY

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OPINION | Editorial board: Endorsements for school board, SKFR, Lakehaven [8] Roegner: School board election shakeup [8] CRIME BLOTTER | Man tries to steal credit card info from gas station ATM [3] R-E-S-P-E-C-T | Centerstage show pays tribute to soul singer Aretha Franklin [4]

SPORTS | Football wrap: Eighth-ranked WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011 Federal Way Eagles stay unbeaten [12]

CALENDAR | Thriller dances and dark rides highlight Fright Fest at Wild Waves [7]

Prescription meds: State is keeping track City will host unused pill collection event BY GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@fedwaymirror.com

A flagger with construction company J.R. Hayes and Sons Inc. warns motorists to slow down Monday on Pacific Highway South in front of Federal Way High School. After 10 years, major construction is expected to be finished by December. ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror

Pac Highway: Night paving, lane closures driveways at businesses. Flaggers at those driveways will assist motorists Nighttime paving on Pacific High- across the fresh tar and hot asphalt, way South began Tuesday on the according to the city. Detour stretch between South 312th routes will be available. Street and Dash Point Road Side streets at South 308th TRAFFIC in Federal Way. Street and South 304th Street Motorists should expect will be affected; motorists lane closures from 7 p.m. to should expect long closures 6 a.m. through Oct. 27. Delays and delays. Similarly for dayof up to 30 minutes should be time lane closures, motorists will expected when entering and exiting continue to see congestion in both FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALERT

directions of the route. Construction crews are also pouring concrete for sidewalks this week.

Completion in December After nearly 10 years, major construction on one of Federal Way’s main arterial roads is almost done. The fourth and final phase of the project is under way with completion slated for December 2011. [ more CONSTRUCTION, page 6 ]

The Washington State Department of Health announced another monitoring program, this one aimed at tracking the sales of prescription pain medication and other potentially addictive medicines. The Washington State Prescription Monitoring Program launched this month in an effort to “reduce abuse and promote safety,” according to the department. The number of people dying from prescription medication overdoses is growing in Washington. From 2000 to 2010, the overdose death rate involving prescription pain medication more than doubled, and since 2006, deaths in (Washington) from unintentional drug overdoses “have surpassed

deaths from automobile crashes,” according to the department. State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky said this tool will help medical professionals have a clearer picture of a patient’s prescription medicine history, and will help promote safety. “Having a patient’s prescription history gives prescribers a more complete view of patient care when they prescribe or dispense controlled substances,” Selecky said in an Oct. 13 news release. “This new service is another tool for patient care and safety.” According to the department, “information from pharmacies and health care providers who dispense medicine from their offices (will be) gathered and stored in a secured, central database.” Starting in January 2012, health [ more DRUGS, page 6 ]

School policy opens door for students seeking challenge BY GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@fedwaymirror.com

The Federal Way School Board recently adopted Policy 2409, which allows students to challenge them-

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selves by enrolling in more advanced classes, if they so choose. Dr. Josh Garcia, assistant superintendent of teaching for learning, said this policy is yet another way that Federal Way Public Schools allow students to have more rigor in their academic careers.

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The policy “allows for the heels of the district’s acfamilies and students to celerated academics policy, continue to chalwhich automatically lenge themselves at enrolls students into the highest level,” EDUCATION advanced classes Garcia said. “It’s a if they meet the policy that says kids required metric can challenge out of on state testing. classes and continue to This policy has come get a rigorous education.” under fire, especially from Policy 2409 comes on parents at Thomas Jefferson

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High School. They feel the policy has led to a culture of “teaching to the middle,” thus taking the rigor out of what were once difficult classes. Garcia said about four or five families have used Policy 2409 so far. From the school district’s own research, it appears to be

a policy not shared by any other districts in the state or nation. Garcia did note that there could be a similar policy out there, but the school district has not been able to find one yet. According to the policy as written on the district website (www.fwps.org), [ more POLICY, page 6 ]

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