Tukwila Reporter, February 17, 2012

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SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, 12-14

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The Courtyard by Marriott parking lot was partially flooded Feb. 2 when an 8-inch feeder water pipe broke. Charles Cortes, Tukwila Reporter

Busted water pipe causes minor flooding

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Man sentenced for murder REPORTER STAFF

A 44-year-old man received a maximum prison sentence in Seattle of 25 years, four months in connection with a 2007 Tukwila murder.

King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector on Jan. 27 sentenced Quy D. Nguyen for second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and conspiracy to commit leading organized crime, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s

Office. Nguyen, a Seattle area gang leader, ordered the shooting death of Hoang Nguyen.

Quy Nguyen pleaded guilty in October to the charges.

Two men were sentenced last year in Seattle in connection with the murder of Hoang Van Nguyen in a dispute among gang members.

Jerry Henry Thomas III, 25, who had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, was sentenced

to 23 years, four months in prison.

Le Nhu Le, 42, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit leading organized crime, was sentenced to five years in prison.

According to charging papers, Hogan Nguyen was shot once in the back of the head by Thomas at about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 8, 200,7 in the parking lot of the Riverton View Apartments in Tukwila. Seattle Police and Tukwila Police investigated the case.

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An 8-inch secondary feeder water pipe broke Feb. 2 in Tukwila, causing minor flooding that damaged a few cars in a hotel parking lot as well as an office at a nearby car wash.

A citizen noticed water bubbling out of the ground at about 3:20 a.m. in the 16200 block of the West Valley Highway and alerted a nearby Tukwila Police officer, said Marty Grisham, city emergency management manager. The officer reported the incident to the Tukwila Fire Department and Public Works Department. “It spewed water into the (Courtyard by Marriott) parking lot and the 76 gas station,� Grisham said in a phone interview.

City crews discovered it was a break in the Seattle Public Utilities water line. Wa-

ter was shut off about 7:30 a.m. and water started to subside by 9 a.m.

Initial reports indicated a break in the main 60-inch line that carries water to Seattle from the Cedar River watershed, but the break was in a secondary feeder line that serves as a backup line to Tukwila, said Andy Ryan, spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities, in a phone interview. No one lost water usage because of the break. “We don’t know what caused it,� Ryan said. “We’ll dig it up in the next couple of days and try to figure it out. Sometimes we figure it out and sometimes we do not.�

Ryan said about three or four cars were flooded and damaged as well as an office at a car wash next to the 76 station.

Crews closed Longacres Way for a short time because of water on the roadway. West Valley Highway remained open.

It was not yet known how much water was lost because of the break, Ryan said.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » FEBRUARY 2012

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Public’s support helps museum collect history

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Louise Jones-Brown, acting director of the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, shows how a computer funded by a $4,000 grant from 4Culture will help museum catalog artifacts. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

In the year or so since it opened, the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center has collected an increasing number of Tukwila artifacts, organized its collection and made plans for some remodeling.

To help continue that work, the Tukwila Historical Society is planning the Second Annual Gala and Auction for 3 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, May 19, at the Foster Golf Complex on Interurban Avenue.

A single ticket to attend the silent auction and reception are $30. The ticket price is $100 to attend the reception, dinner and the live auction, or $75 if purchased in advance by March 1. Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.

com or at the museum, 14475 59th Ave. S. Deborah Horne with KIRO TV is emcee.

The historical society also is looking for donations of an auction item. More information about donating an item is available by calling the museum at 206-244-4478.

The museum’s email is tukwilaheritagectr@ tukwilahistory.org Contacts to donate money or memorabilia to the museum are Louise JonesBrown and Pat Brodin.

Last year’s first auction raised $10,000 and organizers would like to raise at least that much this year.

A major remodel of the restroom is planned so it will comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lead was found in the paint, which adds to the remodel cost.

A voyeurism charged filed over LA Fitness photos

BY STEVE HUNTER SHUNTER@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

King County prosecutors charged a 48-year-old Renton man Feb. 2 with voyeurism after he allegedly took photographs inside of the women’s locker room at the Tukwila LA Fitness, 350 Baker Blvd.

David L. Cameron is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Feb. 16 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Cameron was still in the

index 4

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Paul and Betty Gully have been married for 55 years.

He brings her a bouquet of flowers every Valentine’s Day.

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county jail in Kent on $20,000 bail on Feb. 10.

Tukwila Police arrested Cameron Jan. 30 for investigation of voyeurism after he reportedly took photos of a 32-year-old woman inside the women’s locker room.

Officers arrested Cameron at the LA Fitness in Fairwood where he had checked in after visiting the Tukwila location. Both Cameron and the woman are members of LA Fitness.

According to charging papers, Cameron

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used a cellphone to record images of the woman. The woman told officers she was the only woman in the shower area of the locker room and had covered herself from armpit to mid-thigh with a towel. When she bent over to apply lotion to her legs, she saw a man standing in the shower area with a camera phone in his hand.

When the woman yelled “Hey” at the man, he left the area. LA Fitness has photos of its customers from when they joined the club. The woman looked at photos of men

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who had checked in that morning at the club and recognized Cameron as the one in the shower area.

Another woman customer reportedly saw Cameron walk out of the women’s locker room just after he took pictures.

Cameron has prior convictions for stalking-domestic violence in 1999, first-degree malicious mischief-domestic violence in 1999, violation of a no-contact order in 1998 and fourth-degree assault-domestic violence in 1998.

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Betty Gully plants a kiss on husband Paul’s cheek. Charles Cortes, Tukwila Reporter

Their love blooms for 55 years on fun, lots of honest talk

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Paul Gully was eating dinner at his favorite Tukwila restaurant 54 years ago when he spotted a pretty girl walking through the door.

He got up the nerve to talk to her and was surprised at how quickly they clicked.

“I decided to just go for it with this one,” Gully recalled. “We started dating right away.”

Betty Gully said she fell for Paul immediately.

“The first thing Paul did was give me a hard time,” Betty recalled, laughing. “We have always had so much fun together.”

Paul, 86, and Betty, 73, have been married for 55 years.

“No one thought this would last,” Betty said. “Both of our families and our friends said that we were too different, but we knew we could do it.”

Betty is Presbyterian and Paul is Catholic. Betty is 13 years younger than Paul.

“I knew she was the one for me,” Paul said. “I liked her better than any other girl I’d ever dated. She was just different.”

Betty remembers she was mad at Paul the night he proposed.

“I would always come pick her up from the restaurant she was working at and I must have been late or something

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COVER STORY

BY SARAH KEHOE

Tukwila: We like living here [ LOVE from page 4]

SKEHOE@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

February has long been a month of romance.

It is the month associated with Valentine’s Day celebrations. We have, time and again, heard the name St. Valentine being uttered before us in this season of love.

But just who is this St. Valentine? Why is this month associated with love and romance?

The history of Valentine’s Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace.

It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine’s Day. The modern St. Valentine’s Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition.

During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Over time, more and more capable men were required to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover.

When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. Claudius believed marriage made the men weak, so he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers, according to the website www. theholidayspot.com.

A bishop named Valentine was the only one who dared to go against the emperor.

He secretly performed marriage ceremonies for people in love and was dubbed, “friend of lovers.”

Valentine was soon found out and immediately sent to prison. It was there that Valentine fell in love himself.

Valentine was approached by his jailor who had heard Valentine had the power to heal people. The jailor begged Valentine to restore the sight to his blind daughter.

It was rumored that God healed the jailor’s daughter as a result of Valentine’s prayers. Valentine and the girl became close and she visited him every day.

It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her “From Your Valentine.”

Thus Feb. 14 became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its patron saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired.

With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine’s Day. But it was only during the 14th century that St. Valentine’s Day became definitively associated with love. UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of “Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine,” credits Geoffery Chaucer, an English poet and author of “The Cantebury Tales”, as the one who first linked St. Valentine’s Day with romance.

Information and research for this article came from the website, www.theholidayspot.com.

The modern St. Valentine’s Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition.

because she was so angry with me,” he said, chuckling. “She wouldn’t talk to me and I just leaned over to her and asked her to marry me.”

Betty said yes right away.

“Then I wasn’t mad at him anymore,” she said.

They got married June 22, 1957, at the former old St. Thomas Catholic Church, after one year of dating. Paul worked as a dye finisher at Boeing and Betty became a homemaker.

“We decided to settle in Tukwila because we both liked living in the area,” Betty said.

The Gullys still live in the first house they moved into together on Macadam Road. The house was built in 1928 and features one bathroom, three bedrooms and a basement.

“We’ve lived here since 1959 because when you find a house and a community you love, you don’t see any reason to move,” Paul said. “We like the rural aspect of the area. We like that we can really have a voice in the City Council and see our repre-

sentatives at the grocery store.”

The Gullys say their favorite activity to do together is garden. They have six fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and Paul is a beekeeper.

“Paul and I go around to schools sometimes and he gives presentations on beekeeping,” Betty said.

Paul and Betty also love travel to their cabin in Marmot where they go crabbing, take walks and pick berries.

“We’ve done a lot of great things together,” Betty said, smiling. “It’s noth-

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Cover Story

Every Valentine’s, Paul brings Betty a bouquet [ LOVE from page 5] ing outstanding we’ve done, we just really enjoy being together.�

Paul and Betty both agree the secret to their long and happy marriage is constant communication. “It’s funny how communication is never easy; but if you want a relationship to last, you have to hold back that pride and do it,� Betty said. “There’s a lot of give and take when you share your life with someone and there are big differences in beliefs and ways of doing things.�

When Betty and Paul begin to argue, they will sit down and write about what they are feeling and thinking. Then they will go off alone and read what the other says before

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they discuss the issue further. “Basically I am vocal and he isn’t, so we really have to do this for us,� Betty said.

Paul said this strategy has helped them over the years. “Life is always changing and you got to talk about what’s going on with each other,� he said. “It’s a team effort and I’ve always walked away from a talk with Betty knowing she tried to understand me.�

The Gullys have always been active in their community.

They worked on elections over the years, participated as leaders in their son’s Boy Scouts, worked in schools and were a part of the annexation project occurring in the Tukwila area years ago. “Doing this stuff really brought us together,� Betty said.�I think it’s easy for couples to lose touch with each other, they go off and do different things and end up meeting at the breakfast table. We didn’t want to be driven apart like that, so we made an effort to always include each other in our activities.�

The biggest challenge that Paul and Betty have faced as a couple is a difference in religion. They attended separate services but decided to raise their children Catholic until they were old enough to decide what religion they preferred. “There was a moment where I was sitting at the dinner table with the family and I realized the only Catholic feet at the table were Paul’s,� Betty said. “Partly I felt glad, but mostly it broke my heart because I knew Paul wanted them to be Catholic really badly.�

About four years ago, Paul was diagnosed with lung cancer. Betty stayed by his side while he underwent radiation and chemotherapy.

“She takes good care of me,� Paul said, smiling at Betty. “After I got sick she read up on everything so I could get healthy. And now she always makes sure I take my medications.�

Paul is now in remission, but still needs to hook up to oxygen periodically throughout the day. “I’m grateful for her and am proud of her as a wife and a grandma,� Paul said. “She is in charge of everyone’s birthdays and get togethers. She makes everything fun.�

Betty appreciates Paul’s ability to be patient and teach others how to build things. “He’s been a good role model for our kids because if there is a task or design in front of him, he doesn’t give up until he does it right,� Betty said. “He’s taught our kids how to use tools and be beekeepers. Also, he puts up with me and I’m a lot to take on.�

Every Valentine’s Day, Paul brings Betty a bouquet of flowers. “He’s romantic,� Betty said. “There is almost always a bouquet of flowers sitting on my dining room table. He’ll pick them for me from the garden when it’s nice outside or buy them for me.�

Betty and Paul’s advice to young couples is a lesson they learned in their marriage early on: always communicate. “I think the biggest problem in our society is that couples don’t talk to each other,� Betty said. “You have to bring something up when it bothers you, or it’s trouble. If you are open to each other, there’s nothing you can’t fix.�

Reach Sarah Kehoe at skehoe@tukwilareporter.com or 253872-6600 ext. 5056.

To comment on this story go to www.tukwilareporter.com.

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Local, regional and state leaders broke ground recently on a critical step toward creating a new east-west route across south Renton and a connection to an improved Sounder station in Tukwila.

The project is the extension of Southwest 27th Street/Strander Boulevard under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks.

This project is a collaboration of Renton, Tukwila, The Boeing Co., Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Sound Transit, the State of Washington (including Transportation Improvement Board, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, and the Washington State Department of Transportation), and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The new east-west route also will provide an alternate route to Interstate 405 between Interstate 5 and State Route 167. It’s also an effort to promote transit use by creating the connection to Sound Transit’s Sounder station in Tukwila.

Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton speaks at the groundbreaking recently for the extension of Strander Boulevard into south Renton. Charles Cortes, Tukwila Reporter

“We’re excited about what this enhanced access to transit will do to help spark further development in the Valley, including here at Longacres,� said Renton Mayor Denis Law. “Once the full build-out is completed, we will have a new

corridor for freight, which is critical to so many businesses in the Green River Valley, the largest industrial area in Washington state.�

Julia Patterson, Sound Transit Board vice chair and County Council member, said the “new connec-

tion between Renton and Tukwila will provide convenient commuter access to Sound Transit’s permanent Tukwila Sounder Station, which, when complete, will serve nearly 400 transit users a day-plus King County Metro’s RapidRide F line.�

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » FEBRUARY 2012

regional publisher polly shepherd publisher@tukwilareporter.com

publisher ellen morrison regional editor dennis box editor@tukwilareporter.com

editor dean radford staff writers steve hunter › reporter tracey compton › reporter sarah kehoe › reporter adam mcfadden › sports photographer charles cortes circulation james kostoroski 253.872.6610

I have been drawn to stories of place for some reason since I was a kid.

One of the aspects of Tukwila I have enjoyed the most over the past few months is all the stories of the recent past I have been hearing. I call them stories of place.

Many of the towns I cover have been formed within the last 15 years, like Maple Valley and Covington. Those cities are going through a process of trying to outline a sense of place and it is fascinating to watch.

Contrast that with Tukwila where the past weaves through the names of the streets telling the stories of the making of town.

I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some longtime residents for a few of the stories I have written and the sense of place in Tukwila is endearing and interesting.

My favorite story is the one I wrote about Mrs. Louise Strander. The Strander family is the story of the town in so many ways.

I wished I could have met Mrs. Strander. I would have loved to talk to her about meeting her husband and being a part of making a town. I found out she also loved opera. How cool is that?

I have also been talking with Dean Radford about his father, Arlie Radford, who

built many of the memorable homes around the town and he was member of the City Council. Arlie is spoken about today by folks as if he just left the room. That speaks to the impact he had on so many. Considering what I know of his son, he was both a remarkable man and father.

What makes a story of place Dennis come alive are the people. They Box define the contours of place in the stories.

My first interest in stories of place came from my dad when I was very young. He was raised in Montana.

His mother died in the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. She was 24 years old and had five children; my father was the oldest. He was about 7.

She died on Christmas Eve in Wolf Point, Mont., and on Dec. 26 the children were placed in the Montana Children’s Home orphanage in Helena.

They rode the train from Wolf Point to Helena and came to a four-story home with a basement about a 15-minute walk from the train depot.

I went there with my dad when I was about 10. The original home was and is still there. The top floor was four small rooms for the boys, connected by a crooked hallway.

The sick kids were put in the basement, which is where my dad was at first. He spent nearly five years in the orphanage. His two

active member of AKCHO (Association of Historical Organizations), SOCO (South County Cultural Organizations), the AASLH (American Association for State and Local History) and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce. A major project The Tukwila Historical Society is pleased was completed in 1993 with the publishing to announce the Second Annual Gala and of the book titled “Tukwila, Community Auction to be held on May 19 at the Fos- at the Crossroads” by author and historiter Golf Complex with catering provided by an, Dr. Kay Reinartz with major Billy Baroo’s. This event is being funding provided by the City Louise held to honor the memory of LouJones-Brown of Tukwila. In September 2010, ise M. Strander, one of our founda five-year lease for the former ing members who passed away in Tukwila School/City Hall build2011. ing was granted to the society by Tickets may be obtained at www. a unanimous vote of the Tukwila brownpapertickets.com or by conCity Council. This has allowed tacting the Tukwila Heritage and our organization to establish a Cultural Center by calling 206headquarters and a location to 244-HIST (4478). The event is our display and archive historical organization’s next fundraising efitems which will showcase Tukfort that will allow major improvements to wila and the early King County history. our building and to provide funds for the The society members are working on sevdevelopment of processes to preserve and eral events that will fund the interior redisplay historic photos and artifacts that are modeling of the large restroom, which must being donated. include ADA requirements, an upgrade to Our organization was established in 1975 the building’s security system and creation and received non-profit status in 1990. The of processes to protect and display our phoTukwila Historical Society is currently an tos and artifacts. The First Annual Gala and

Tukwila Historical Society gala auction

commentary

The Tukwila Reporter encourages reader participation in this community newspaper.

Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor (400 words or less) including your full name, address and phone number.

HERE’S HOW To submit a letter to the editor, EMAIL: submissions@ tukwilareporter.com FAX: 253.437.6016 MAIL: 19426 68th Ave S, Ste. A Kent, WA 98032 CALENDAR/EVENTS: calendar@ tukwilareporter.com

A story of place editor@tukwilareporter.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE

›7

brothers and sister were adopted soon after arriving because they were younger. The fourth child, a baby girl, died shortly after arriving.

When I went there with my dad, the Shodair Children’s Hospital had all the old orphanage records. My dad was looking for documentation of his birth date. He didn’t have a birth certificate and the date on the adoption papers from the orphanage was smudged. Social Security wanted better documentation.

We went into Shodair and talked to a woman. A short time later an older woman came out who remembered my dad. It had been 40 years, but she remembered those kids coming the day after Christmas.

My dad told me that his dad signed him into the orphanage and he never saw him or heard from him again.

I have been back to Helena and the orphanage many times. I have spent time in the basement and all the upper floors where he stayed. The last time I was there a woman who lives across the street told me the old home was haunted. She heard children crying at night.

I bet I had my dad tell me the stories about coming to the orphanage and his youth in Montana a million times. I just couldn’t get enough of his stories.

The folks I have met in Tukwila, the way the talk about the town, gives me the sense of place I remember from my dad when he talked about Helena.

I like that.

Auction was held June 26, 2011, and raised more than $10,000. In September 2011, a generous donation to support our projects was made to our organization by Allied Waste in the amount of $10,000. There was a four-Culture grant approved in 2011 which has allowed the purchase of a computer and museum management software. The cost of our capital improvement projects has been estimated to exceed $50,000.

There have been a few unique artifacts donated to our organization, such as a piece of water pipe from Crystal Springs, one of the original fresh water projects, a wine bottle from the Carasino barn, and chairs used in the original Tukwila school and Tukwila City Hall. We are encouraging local residents to search their family photos and collections which we could share and display at our Center. Please feel free to contact Louise Jones-Brown, acting director of the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center at 206-244-4478 or by email at tukwilaheritagectr@tukwilahistory.org.

CULTURAL

CENTER

8‚

FEBRUARY 2012 ÂŤ www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Âť FEBRUARY 2012

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TUKWILA CITY PAGES

Connect with your Council members at Council Chat: Saturday, March 10 at the Foster Golf Links Clubhouse Don’t let con artists get your hard-earned tax refund

With the recent occurrence of sun shining on the Pacific Northwest, many have already put January’s snow storm behind them (winter, however, isn’t over yet). Thankfully, the City of Tukwila emerged unscathed from the storm that paralyzed much of the Puget Sound area, mostly due to the City’s pre-planning efforts. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened on Wednesday, January 18 and monitored road closures, power outages, downed trees and branches, and other factors that impacted the City.

At the Monday Tukwila City Council meeting of February 6, Bruce Linton was sworn in as the new Police Department Assistant Chief.

While honest folks look forward to getting some money back from the IRS, thieves are trying to figure out how to get your refund. Tukwila’s Crime Prevention Program offers a few tips to make sure you get your own money (and all of it!):

Bruce has been with the Department for 17 years, and a Commander for the past three years. Some of his assignments include patrol, a bike officer on the Tukwila Anti-Crime Team, a member and commander on the regional valley civil disturbance unit, and an honor guard member.

Public Works crews stayed on top of removing snow and ice, keeping the majority of the main roads safe and open to traffic.

Those same crews came to the aid of stuck drivers and Metro buses, helping get them back on the road. They also assisted some families that needed to get to important medical appointments.

Water Aerobics Classes Join us Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:00–10:00am for a low-impact water aerobics class with instructor Lori Williams. Stretching, strength and toning exercises are performed in chest-deep water.

Tukwila Turtles Special Olympics Swim Team tryouts begin Friday, February 28, 2012 at the Tukwila Pool, 3:30-5 pm. Call 206-267-2350 to sign up!

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New Assistant Police Chief recognized

4414 S 144th St, Tukwila – 206-267-2350

Special Olympics

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Preparation enabled City departments to deal with January storm

TUKWILA POOL

Interested in a faster-paced, water aerobics experience that gets your heart beating and puts a smile on your face? Join instructor Brian Gamble for GAMBA on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:00–7:00pm.

MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Verna Seal

›9

Bruce holds a Master’s degree from Chapman University in Organizational Leadership, and serves in the National Guard as a Deputy Brigade Commander. His organizational skills and leadership will serve the Department and Tukwila’s citizens very well as he takes on this new role.

Fire and Police Department responses remained normal, with no significant increase of requests for service.

The City’s pre-storm plan – which involved EOC activation and following emergency response and Public Works procedures – performed without incident. The January storm provided City employees an opportunity to put their personal and work emergency plans into action, and then execute and evaluate them. This “practice� helps our emergency operations staff prepare for a much larger incident such as an earthquake or major flooding.

Tukwila’s Emergency Operations staff believes it is a worthwhile exercise for you, your family, or your business to evaluate just how well-prepared you were for this past weather incident – what was a success and what could have used a little more preparation. Taking some time now to size up how ready you were for this storm event will help you improve your plans for the next snow storm‌ and certainly help during a larger scale disaster.

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If you’d like more information, please visit the Emergency Management section of the City’s website, where you’ll find several links to help in your planning: www.TukwilaWA.gov.

You can also contact our Public Educator/CERT Coordinator Kendra Kay by telephone at 206- 971-8742, or email her at CERT@TukwilaWA.gov.

Tukwila Office of Human Services – 206-433-7180 Free Financial Fitness Day Want to get your finances in shape? You’ll find many resources offered during the free Financial Fitness Day to be held on Saturday, March 31 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Rainier Community Center, 4600 - 38th Avenue South, Seattle. At this event you will be able to talk to experts in the areas of credit and debt; financial planning and investments; mortgage and foreclosure; bankruptcy and consumer rights; starting a business; social security, Medicare and Medicaid; and student loans and FAFSA.

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Free workshops will take place on money management. You can have your tax return prepared, receive a free credit report, and open a checking or savings account. Applications will be available for public benefits, and document shredding will also be available.

To find out what to bring on that day, or if you need to register for child care, language interpretation or American Sign Language, visit www.skcabc.org/fitness_fair/default.htm.

Help for Renters COUNCIL CHAT

Council Chat is an opportunity to stop by and informally talk with a Tukwila City Council member about anything on your mind regarding your community.

On the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00am to 12:00pm Come join us at our new location: FOSTER GOLF LINKS CLUBHOUSE 13500 Interurban Avenue South

Next Chat: Saturday, March 10

Register for a CPR class today February is American Heart Month! The City of Tukwila encourages its community to take action to reduce the risk and increase awareness of heart disease, the leading cause of death in America for both men and women. Coronary heart disease is the most common, which often appears as a heart attack. It is estimated that there is a coronary event once every 25 seconds in America, and about one every minute will die from one.

Renters can now search for properties on HousingSearchNW.org online 24 hours a day, or by calling a toll-free bilingual call center for assistance at 1-877-428-8844, Monday–Friday 6:00am–5:00pm.

Interpretation in a number of languages is also available. Use of the website is free. Landlords may advertise properties free of charge, while renters can find rentals that fit their needs. If you have a rental property that you’d like to list, please visit the website or call the toll-free number.

â—— Never give anyone your social security number. This would allow that person to file for your return. â—— Only go to certified and verified businesses to get your taxes done.

If an error is made by a tax preparer, YOU are the one who still may owe any back taxes and fines. ◗ Everyone is required to file tax forms, and most people do owe something in taxes. Do not believe someone who tells you that the IRS is illegal or that only “suckers� pay taxes; these are generally scams that lead YOU to get fined by the IRS. ◗ The IRS NEVER contacts people by e-mail. Do NOT EVER open any attachments or click on any links from someone claiming to be from the IRS, it’s probably a virus or scam to get your personal information. ◗ Have the IRS deposit your tax return directly into your bank account to prevent it from being stolen from the mail. (DO double check that the account information you provide is accurate!) ◗ Send in your tax forms by mail? Only mail them from the Post Office.

Residential Rental Business Licenses All owners of residential rental property are reminded that they must obtain an annual Residential Rental Business License and periodic inspection. Renewal notices have been mailed to owners who submitted applications for 2011. Renewals were due January 31, 2012. New applicants can download and print an application form from the City’s website. For more information, please call Code Enforcement officer Kathy Stetson at 206-431-3682.

Thankfully, the chance of developing coronary heart disease can be greatly Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department presents reduced by taking preventative measures and controlling factors that put people at greater risk. It is also important to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, as that can be crucial to the outcome.

Statistics show that quick delivery of CPR more than doubles a person’s chance of survival. This means citizen bystanders who initiate CPR at the time 911 is called are giving the person suffering a cardiac arrest incident a better chance of survival. Those who know how and are able to access an automatic external defibrillator (AED) can also increase the chance of survival even more.

King County is widely known to be the “best place to have a heart attack� for a variety of reasons, but most importantly it is due to trained citizens in the community. The Tukwila Fire Department is pleased to announce the 2012 schedule of CPR and First Aid classes. The first CPR class will be held on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30pm. There is a $10 fee for the class, and preregistration is required. Please call 206-971-8742 to register.

The complete schedule of classes is as follows: Class Type

Day and Date

Time

Cost

Rent and Utilities Assistance

CPR only

Tuesday, March 6

6:30pm to 8:00pm

$10.00

Individuals receiving medical care through the Department of Social and Health Services may be eligible for financial assistance with rent or utilities. To qualify for these resources, you cannot be receiving any government cash assistance (i.e. SSI, Disability, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or ABD). You can apply if you receive food stamps.

Call Catholic Community Services at 206-328-5755. You will need to provide proof-ofresidency from landlord or family/friend, and a utility bill or shut-off notice.

First Aid & CPR

Saturday, June 2

9:00am to 3:30pm

$20.00

CPR only

Thursday, September 6

6:30pm to 8:00pm

$10.00

First Aid & CPR

Saturday, December 1

9:00am to 3:30pm

$20.00

Another great Spring Break Camp - enjoy a week’s worth of fun, including field trips, games, arts & crafts, and more! We’ll even throw in breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Space is limited, so sign up early!

Tukwila Community Center â–˛ 12424-42nd Avenue S, Tukwila â–˛ 206-768-2822 â–˛ www.TukwilaWA.gov

Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more‌ get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov!

10 ‚ FEBRUARY 2012

ÂŤ www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

tukwilasports

parks and recreation

Fun and games in Tukwila this spring

BY ADAM MCFADDEN A M C FA D D E N @ TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Bored in Tukwila?

The Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department is working hard to make sure you have plenty of opportunities this spring to get healthy, learn a new sport, or just plain play.

Two new programs the department is especially excited about are adult kickball and indoor tennis.

Kickball will start the beginning of May and last eight weeks, taking place on Thursday nights. The department is hoping it will be a big draw for co-workers and families. “We want to appeal to those groups, families and businesses,â€? said Steve Batz, athletics/general programs specialist for parks and recreation. “It will be pretty relaxed. ‌ There are a lot of different skill levels that can come out and play kickball.â€?

Eric Clayton will teach groups indoor tennis, starting in March. Clayton has more than 20 years of tennis teaching experience and is a certified instructor. The class is designed to

Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department is offering a wide variety of programs for youths and adults to have fun and stay healthy this spring. Photo courtesy of the city of Tukwila

be a great atmosphere for the entire family to learn together. The students will use indoor tennis balls to learn, which will slow the game down for beginners. “It makes it fun and easy to learn the sport,� said Dave Johnson, recreation superintendent for parks and recreation. “Tennis is a lifelong sport you can play until you’re old. Kids and families can sustain it through their whole life.�

In addition to the group

events, the department also offers a host of classes, including Zumba and Jazzercise. There are also lunchtime classes, like a boot camp and yoga. “People who work in the area or live close by can come in, get a quick workout, then get back to work or whatever they have going on,� Johnson said.

The community center has a personal trainer, racquetball courts, wallyball areas and a free time for se-

niors to come in and work out (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8-11 a.m.).

The city is also hosting the Healthy You, Healthy Earth 5K Fun Run & Walk April 21. After the event, participants will be able to plant a tree or shrub as part of a riverside restoration project. The event starts at 8 a.m. and has a $20 registration fee. Go to active.com to register.

Much more is coming in the summer. Want a sneak

peek? The Summer Playground Program has a staff member at Cascade View Park four days a week, leading kids in arts and crafts activities. Plus, a sack lunch is provided. The best part about this program? It’s free.

For more information on everything the Parks and Recreation Department offers, go to http://www. ci.tukwila.wa.us/. The phone number for the Tukwila Community Center is 206768-2822.

Foster hoops playoff picture

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Fastrak Building Inspections Serving families in South King County

206-246-8241 18301 Military Rd in SeaTac

www.seattlechristian.org

Call Leo 206-795-2499

has been authorized by the City of Tukwila, Department of Community Development to perform Rental Housing Licensing Inspections as required by the city. t 8" 4UBUF -JDFOTFE )PNF *OTQFDUPS t ZFBST FYQFSJFODF

for information or appointment 584158 577972

Home Inspector License #245

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » FEBRUARY 2012

› 11

Designer revamps diet to fight cancer

BY TRACEY COMPTON TCOMPTON@

localflavor

TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

In the last two and a half years Irina Turner has learned to totally revamp her diet and eating habits.

The designer and owner of Atelie Couture in Tukwila was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer at that time, which prompted her to change her lifestyle for the better.

She read books and did Internet research to come up with healthy meals suitable for her wellness and treatment regimen.

These recipes are two of her creations, which she recommends for anyone undergoing chemotherapy.

Originally from Russia, Turner has loosely based her chicken plov or pilaf dish on traditional or similar dishes found in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan or Afghanistan.

She suggests using all organic ingredients for the recipes, another choice she has made to support her new lifestyle.

“So it’s very easy, very nutritious, very delicious and you can have it for lunch or for dinner,” Turner said.

She makes the chicken plov meal for her family, who is also starting to

Irina Turner has developed recipes to help change diet during cancer treatment. Tracey Compton, Tukwila Reporter

change their eating habits.

Turner doesn’t like to say her family likes to eat, but she says they are creative in the kitchen, coming up with new and different recipes for the holidays.

To her chicken plov she adds a side of sautéed peas, mushrooms and sauerkraut, which she said are good

for you during the winter months.

“It’s not easy to kill this sucker, so it takes some time,” Turner said of her illness. “But, I know the way you eat and the way that you live life, it’s a big deal for me.”

She tries to maintain a balanced diet and avoids

bread with white flour, ice cream and sugar.

Despite her diagnosis and treatment routine, Turner has been able to maintain her work as a designer out of her Tukwila shop.

She designs and constructs custom wedding, pageant, quinceanera and prom gowns.

February marks the beginning of the wedding dress shopping season and Turner gets the most requests for wedding and pageant gowns.

She has designed dresses for the Mrs. Seattle and Mrs. Washington pageant contestants.

“I like to work with the Mrs. (pageants) because they have fuller figures and so many techniques I have to use because we have to cover something or we have to open something,” Turner said.

She has been a designer all of her life, she says, and has traveled around the world.

Her husband is a Seattle native; they moved back to the U.S. seven years ago.

For more information about Atelie Couture or for more recipes contact Turner by visiting www.ateliecouture.com or call 206-575-9035. Her business is at 1035 Andover Park West, Ste. 110. Tukwila.

›› THE RECIPES PLOV - 2 cups brown rice - 4 2/4 cold water - 2 tablespoons cooking oil (peanut) - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 cup onion, chopped - 1 cup carrots, chopped - 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes - 4-5 garlic cloves In a saucepan pour 3 tablespoons of cooking oil, but not olive oil. Add chopped onions and fry a little until they are golden in color.

Add carrots and sauté.

Then add the cubes of chicken breast and sauté for seven to 10 minutes.

Next add the rice and mix everything together. Finally, add the water, but don’t mix and bring the pot to a boil.

Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 25-30 minutes. After, add raisins or dried fruit, four to five garlic cloves and let stand for 10 minutes to soften the fruit.

BROKEN COOKIE CRUMBLE - 2 organic apples, peeled and chopped - 1/2 cup rice syrup - 1 cup crispy crunchy oatmeal raisin cookies - 1/2 cup flaked almonds Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the chopped apples in an oven-safe dish and pour syrup over them.

Wrap the cookies in a large cotton tea towel and crush them with a rolling pin.

Sprinkle the cookie crumbs over the apples and scattered the flaked almonds on top.

Bake for 35 minutes. It stores easily for 2 days.

12 ‚

FEBRUARY 2012 ÂŤ www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

school connection Tukwila School District #406

February 2012

Significant Improvement Update on Curriculum Development on State Achievement Index

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The outcomes are measured on four indicators; achievement of non-low income students, achievement of low-income students, achievement of a school or district compared to the performance of similar schools in terms of demographics, and improvement from the previous year. This results in 16 FMFNFOUBSZ NJEEMF UP IJHI TDIPPM TDPSFT GPS FBDI TDIPPM Each score is then assigned an index value from 1-7 based on the level of performance as defined by the State Board of Education. The index values are then averaged to provide a school’s PWFSBMM "DDPVOUBCJMJUZ *OEFY 5IF PWFSBMM SBUJOH GPS PG UIF 5VLXJMB 4DIPPM %JTUSJDU T schools went from Fair in 2009-2010 to Good in 2010-2011.

Thorndyke Elementary School was the only school that scored Fair, however, they were at the high end of fair. The scores for all five schools are listed below:

School Cascade View Tukwila Elementary Foster 4IPXBMUFS Thorndyke

2009-2010 3.47 3.62 3.9

3.44

2010-2011 4.93 4.88 4.6

3.8

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school connection

is presented by the Tukwila School District

Board of Directors: Mark Wahlstrom, President Steve Mullet, Vice-President .BSZ 'FSUBLJT Dave Larson, 206.244.2313 "MJDJB 8BUFSUPO Superintendent: Ethelda Burke, 206.901.8006 Assistant Superintendent: Dr. Mellody Matthes, 206.901.8010

Tukwila School District #406 XXX UVLXJMB XFEOFU FEV r 4640 South 144th Street, Tukwila, Washington 98168

The Tukwila School District is committed to helping each student reach key educational benchmarks, including the ability not only to retain educational material but also to competently apply these skills as a lifetime learner. When people use the word curriculum, they are generally referring to the content of classes to be taught. The district’s curriculum outlines what students are expected to know and be able to do. The goal of curriculum development in the Tukwila School District is to have accurate, current information for our students to learn, for it to be challenging and engaging and to include opportunities to practice real-world and problem-solving skills.

The curriculum adoption process includes identifying and sequencing essential content, providing teachers with appropriate instructional materials and providing professional development and support systems for teachers as they implement the newly adopted curriculum.

The process for adoption of new materials begins with the development of a committee that includes representation of staff who will be using the curriculum materials. The committee determines the needs of the district by using student performance data and researching best teaching practices of the content.

They then create a philosophy statement and use evaluation tools to guide the curriculum review and selection. The curriculum that best meets the screening criteria is chosen to be piloted. Teachers are selected to use the curriculum in their instruction for a minimum of twelve weeks. Parents are asked to review the materials and provide input into the pro-

cess. The recommended curriculum is presented to the School Board for final approval.

Tukwila school district is committed to reviewing all defined curriculum within a ten year cycle. During the last few years Tukwila School District has adopted an elementary reading curriculum and a 6-12 math curriculum and High School social studies. Tukwila School District is currently in various stages of the adoption process for a variety of curricula including: r 3FWJFXJOH BOE QJMPUJOH BO FMFNFOUBSZ writing curriculum r 3FWJFXJOH BOE QJMPUJOH B DVSSJDVMVN GPS all language arts classes at Foster High School r 3FWJFXJOH BOE QJMPUJOH DVSSJDVMVN GPS Showalter Middle School science r " , TPDJBM TUVEJFT BEPQUJPO QSPDFTT JT starting this year. The elementary social studies curriculum committee has begun the adoption process to identify the needs with the elementary social studies curriculum.

The adoption, development and implementation of curricula are a joint responsibility of the district’s professional staff, interested parents, community members, and administration. The Tukwila School District recognizes the need for continuing improvement and growth of educational programs. To this end, curriculum is developed on a continuing basis and in accordance with the procedures for curriculum development, adoption, implementation and evaluation.

Foster High School Removed from Persistently Lowest Performing Schools List The Tukwila School District is proud that for the first time in three years Foster High School does OPU BQQFBS PO UIF 0ĂŁ DF PG UIF 4VQFSJOUFOEFOU PG 1VCMJD *OTUSVDUJPO T 041* 1FSTJTUFOUMZ -PXFTU 1FSGPSNJOH 4DIPPMT -JTU 5IJT JOGPSNBUJPO XBT DPNNVOJDBUFE JO B 1SFTT 3FMFBTF UPEBZ GSPN 041* http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2011/LowestAchievingSchoolList.pdf Foster High School was identified in 2009 as being among the lowest achieving five percent of secondary schools in the state based on the previous three years of achievement data in the “all studentsâ€? group in reading and math. Over the past three years, new curriculum has been adopted BOE B QSPHSFTT NPOJUPSJOH BTTFTTNFOU 3FBEJOH #FODINBSL IBT CFFO JNQMFNFOUFE " SFBEJOH QSPHSBN IBT CFFO JNQMFNFOUFE BOE QSPHSFTT NPOJUPSJOH BTTFTTNFOUT %JCFMT BOE #FODINBSL 3FBEJOH IBWF CFFO JNQMFNFOUFE "MTP UFBDIFST IBWF QBSUJDJQBUFE JO B WBSJFUZ PG QSPGFTTJPOBM development opportunities.

We are proud of our students and our staff!

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » FEBRUARY 2012

Tukwila School District #406

› 13

February 2012

Technology Update

Teacher with Technology Profile:

Gladys Fox, Showalter Middle School

In the spring of 2010, voters in the get an enormous amount of student use Tukwila School District passed a levy to so were of the highest priority.

Finally, two carts of 15 laptops were provide an update of technology that will allow the District to better address stu- placed in fourth grade classrooms at Tukthey share for class use during the “I noticed that I did a better job than dent learning needs of the 21st Century. wila elementary. In addition to supportschool year. the first time. I have more expression.

This levy is to be collected over a period ing the initiative of those teachers in apStill struggle in some words.” plying for a grant, of 6 years, with the first collecLessons using the iPads focus on the intent of this tions coming three components of reading fluency: “I read with expression. I read placement was to to the District expression, pacing, and phrasing. One smoother.” test the usefulness in the spring way students began their work was to “I noticed that I didn’t read smoothly.” of laptop carts of 2011. listen to professionally recorded books “I read smoother and read with more where the text is highlighted as the in an elementary In all organiexpression after I remembered more classroom situazations, upnarration proceeds. words.” tion. As we move dates to the Students then turn into the spring, invisible “infraoff the narration These are some of we will be getting structure” are and record themthe comments made by feedback from necessary to selves reading the the students at Showthose teachers keep up with same story. After alter Middle School parthat will be usethe demands of several cycles of ticipating in a project to ful for purchases new computer reading practice improve their reading of additional stutechnology and and self-critique, fluency. What is unique a Elede students at Tukwil dent computers the programs students record about this program is the A group of fourth gra lls ski ge gua lan lish throughout the that run on the book for preEng ir the e ctic use of Apple iPad technolmentary pra district. them. Tukwila sentation to the ogy. In 2011, Gladys Fox, This spring and summer there will be is no exception.

In the past entire class. It’s the Teacher/Librarian at year the district has worked to update more computers purchased so that all great fun and a Showalter received a grant the server and network infrastructure. students will have available modern very powerful from CenturyLink (formerFile servers put in place in the late 90s computers in their classrooms. As we learning experience as well. ly Qwest) to fund the proj- ect. In her were replaced with up-to-date Microsoft move toward the future, we are looking proposal she wrote: Students often work in pairs. They file servers. Availability of services in at other technologies that will become listen to each other and offer suggesThis will be a yearlong project the Internet “cloud” allowed the district part of our classrooms as levy resources tions on ways to improve reading fluwith students in an English Lanto stop using it’s antique mail servers become available. Based on the signifiency. Since the readings are recorded guage Learners (ELL) class.

Stuand move to Google services to provide cant amount of research indicating that students are able to review their past dents will be paired up to read inupdated email services to the district at students, and particularly ELL students, readings and gauge their progress. teractive books that embed audio no cost. This has greatly reduced the learn better if they can more clearly hear and video on an iPad. Students will Ms. Fox believes that she hears great amount of staff time necessary to man- the teacher, we are investigating audio record their own voices reading the improvement in the student recordsystems for all classrooms. We are lookage these resources. books to improve their reading fluings. Sometimes she even has to listen With the growth of wireless devices ing at different student response systems ency...Eventually students will be to a recording several times to confirm comes the need to expand the ability of to provide instant feedback for teachers ready to create their own digital it’s the same student since there is so the school district network to accommo- on how well students are learning, tablet books representing themselves and much improvement. The ultimate test date their use for instruction. With this in computers, and the emerging interactive their cultures….The digital books though, comes with standardized readmind a project was completed this fall projection technology. will include audio (student naring tests to be given in the next few There are lots of options that will presthat makes a robust wireless network ration), video, photographic, and weeks. Everyone is anxious to see if available in all Tukwila Schools. The sys- ent themselves over the course of the written elements and will be crethere is notable improvement in the tem is also capable of expansion from next four or five years. Thanks to Tukated using various apps… reading scores for the students in this the minimal coverage we have now, to wila voters, if we are thoughtful custodiaccommodating the future demands for ans of the levy money, as they come in In collaboration with ELL (English project. wireless computing devices in class- we will be able to equip our classrooms Language Learner) teacher, Jennelle SiTo get more information and follow with the best technology to help address rooms over the next several years. gler, Ms. Fox works with students who the progress of this project, go to the The wired network in our schools is our most significant instructional chalare 6th through 8th graders. Students blog set up by Ms. Fox at: http://ipadalso in need of updating. One serious is- lenges. were paired up and assigned an iPad quest.blogspot.com sue came to light in the fall when it was discovered that the fiber optic cable providing network connections to Showalter Middle School and the Administrative Center is failing. Replacement costs are very high, but the long term possibility of grant funding may make it possible echnology, art, and lasting artwork. They are engaged in hands-on to replace at a future date. Until then, creativity serve an imlearning, helping bring forth peer collaboration a project was completed this winter that established a high capacity wireless conportant role in the educaand interactivity while appealing to visual, tactile nection to provide this service temporartion process in my classand kinesthetic learners alike. The new technolily. This will meet the current need so room. As a recipient of The ogy has allowed students to learn high-tech skills that there is no loss of services as we CenturyLink/OSPI Teachers using equipment similar to what they would find work toward a permanent solution. & Technology Grant Proin colleges, universities, and the workforce.

In addition to infrastructure, we have gram, I have been able to Anna Tran, Foster High School senior and adnew computers in the district. Last sumuse the grant funds to help vanced art student, says, “I look forward to using mer we added 426 new computers for student use. This first wave of computfurnish Foster High School technology this semester for art because I will be ers had three main areas of focus. Recogart students with a modern able to capture pictures and film videos. I want nizing the challenges faced by our large classroom that now houses others to see the beauty in what I see through population of English Language Learner new student laptops, digital the photos.”

(ELL) students in the district, we placed cameras, and an interactive My goal is to create a learning environment 225 laptops with charging carts in ELL SMART Board. that helps students keep up with the demands of a techclassrooms throughout the District. Each Students have used this technology to take snap shots nology driven world. With updated equipment, students Elementary ELL classroom got 15 laptops and a cart, the two ELL classrooms at the of their surroundings; manipulate photos using imaging have gained wider access to the options that new softmiddle school each got a cart of 30 lapsoftware; create videos and photo-stories; construct a ware provides to its users. By obtaining this necessary tops and each of the four ELL classrooms digital portfolio of their work; display these images on the equipment, my classroom now has access to the type of at Foster High School got carts of 30 lapschool’s website; and hold interactive classroom discus- technology that reinforces a higher level of scholarly protops. sions interpreting and analyzing artwork. fessionalism.

One hundred and six desktop computI have witnessed the powerful impact of these new techFor more information and to see students’ artwork is ers replaced aging computers in two computer labs and the Library at Foster nology-based activities. Students have acquired knowl- visit the website: http://swift.tukwila.wednet.edu/fh/ High School. Those particular locations edge and aptitude while increasing their ability to create schurchill/index.php?section=gallery

Teacher/Librarian

Teacher with Technology Profile:

Stacey Churchill, Art teacher at Foster High School T

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FEBRUARY 2012 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

February 2012

Tukwila School District #406

Tukwila School District

Kindergarten Registration Wednesday May 2 & Thursday May 3, 2012 9:00AM-6:00PM Tukwila School District Administration Building 4640 S 144th St. Tukwila, WA 98168 206-901-8000 Interpreter Schedule Interpreters will be available based on the schedule below. Please plan to come when an interpreter is available in your language or bring interpreter services with you.

Spanish– available at all times Somali– Thursday May 3, 1:00-6:00PM Nepali– Thursday, May 3, 11:00AM-6:00PM Burmese– TBD Vietnamese– TBD

Same-Store Sales vs. Same –School Scores

A To register your child for Kindergarten you must bring the following:

You child: for a short assessment with a Kindergarten teacher

Proof of Residency:

an apartment lease or mortgage statement, electricity, water or sewer statement/bill.

Child’s Birth Certificate Child’s Immunization Records Parent/guardian picture identification (drivers license) Questions? Call: Tracii Schmidt Cascade View Elementary 206-901-7702 Bev Miller Thorndyke Elementary 206-901-7602 Molly Newcomb Tukwila Elementary 206-901-7502 Kathleen Gantz Administration Office 206-901-8044

Remember to vote!

Tukwila School District is asking voters to consider Proposition 1, a Replacement of Expiring School Programs and Operation Levy, which would help fund school programs and operations, including, but not limited to, teaching, school supplies, technology, athletics, transportation and facility maintenance and operations, and other school programs and operation expenses. The proposed levy will replace the District’s current levy approved by the voters in 2008 that expires in the year 2012.

Taxes collected by the proposed levy will provide approximately 27% of the District’s General Fund budget, including mandated programs not funded by the state.

Passage of this proposition would authorize the collection of taxes to provide $9,631,277 in 2013; $10,112,788 in 2014; $10,618,428 in 2015; and $11,149,349 in 2016.

If authorized, these property taxes would be collected at an estimated tax levy rate of $3.46 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2013, increasing to an estimated $3.85 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2016.

Exemptions from taxes may be available to homeowners who are 61 or older, or disabled, and who meet certain income requirements. For more information, call the King County Department of Assessments 206.296.3920.

lthough public schools and businesses are very different entities, I had an “aha” moment when reading a recent Seattle Times article on the local economy.

The article said, “Results are based on sales at stores open at least a year, known as same-store sales and considered an important measure of a retailer’s health because it excludes the effect of stores’ openings and closings.” (“Retail sales pick up in January, with mixed results at chains”, February 2, 2012) My thought was that here is an example from the business world as to why test scores do not paint an accurate picture of the Tukwila School District. In addition to the challenge of integrating refugee students from around the world, we also have a very high mobility rate. We have even had classrooms

that completely turned over during the school year; none of the students in that room in June had been there for the start of school in September. This means that we are testing students who have not been in our classrooms for a full school year. We know that our students perform well if they are in our schools for several years. We need some sort of statistic that is similar to “same-store sales.”

The Tukwila School District is working hard to educate all students and to improve test scores for all. However, if the government decides to punish or close schools based on test scores, is it unreasonable to ask that they use “same-school scores”? Written by Pam Carter (Ms Carter is a longtime Tukwila resident, educator, and community activator.)

Fifth Grade Outdoor Education

O.S.P.R.E.Y. Camp

T

he Tukwila School District is continuing the long standing tradition of offering the students in 5th grade an opportunity for hands-on outdoor education at camp, May 22-25, 2012. For many years the students attended Camp Thunderbird just south of Olympia but when the facility decided, last fall, to discontinue outdoor education, we moved our program to Camp Sealth on Vashon Island.

They provided an amazing week of learning opportunities for the children.

This year we were presented with the opportunity to attend a program similar to Camp Thunderbird at Camp Solomon Schecter just south of Olympia.

O.S.P.R.E.Y. Camp is being facilitated by the same individual that facilitated the programs at our previous locations through the Tahoma Audubon Society.

In addition to the 5th graders, high school students attend camp as counselors for the younger students. This opportunity for the high school students presents a great learning experience working with the 5th graders, supporting the academic curriculum

and developing their leadership skills.

Currently we are recruiting 40 high school students, freshman through seniors to be counselors for the week.

Students can get an application packet at the Foster High School Counseling office.

Fifth grade parents are invited to an informational night on March 28, 2012 at Showalter Middle School from 6:30-8:00PM. We will share more information including logistics, outdoor education curriculum and answer all questions. Interpreters will be available to assist families with filling out the permission forms.

The Tukwila School District continues to offer this opportunity to families free of charge. We believe that this hands-on experience is valuable for all students, both in their education and social/emotional development.

If families with 5th grade students have any questions they can see their student’s teacher or contact Kathleen Gantz, Program Coordinator for Parent involvement, 206-901-8044 or gantzk@tukwila.wednet.edu.

The Tukwila School District complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin (including language), religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity), veteran or military status, non-program-related physical, sensory or mental disabilities, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/ or extracurricular school activities, or in the recruitment and employment of personnel. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 officer and/or Section 504/ADA coordinator located at 4640 South 144th Street, Tukwila, WA 98168: Nina Melencio, Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer (206.901.8005) and Gwen Estes-Zuehlke, Section 504/ADA Coordinator (206.901.8035).

The Tukwila School District will also take steps to ensure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact the Student Services Department at 206-901-8025.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » FEBRUARY 2012

Woman shot on TIB Tukwila Police are trying to determine who shot and killed a 19-year-old woman Thursday, Feb. 2, while she sat as a passenger in a vehicle at the intersection of Tukwila International Boulevard and South 116th Street.

The shooting, which appeared to be intentional, occurred at about 9:15 p.m. in Tukwila as the woman rode in a Cadillac Escalade driven by a man in his 20s from Seattle, said Tukwila Police spokesman Mike Murphy. The two were dating.

“It was not random,” Murphy said. “It

appears to be targeted. We don’t know the target at this point (the man or woman or both) or why they drove up and shot.”

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as Nykiba M. McDonald and listed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

Seattle Police stopped the Escalade along Interstate 5 as the man was driving McDonald to Harborview Medical Center.

She was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

McDonald had been shot in the head through the passenger window, Murphy said. Several shots were fired at the vehicle by someone in another vehicle.

Gang member gets five-year sentence REPORTER STAFF

A Seattle gang member, arrested last June in Tukwila, received a five-year prison term Feb. 2 in U.S. District Court for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Monroe Ezell, 23, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman.

Ezell was first arrested for illegal gun possession by Tacoma Police officers on June 8 in Tukwila, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office media release.

The Tacoma officers were searching for Michael Wilson, who was later convicted of assaulting a police officer when he drove his car, dragging one of the officers, when

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Officers discovered a loaded stolen Glock .45 pistol in the locked glove box of Ezell’s car. Ezell had given the officers permission to search the car when he was contacted about an assault suspect wanted by police.

Ezell is a member of the 74 Hoover Street gang, a gang active in South Seattle.

According to records filed in the case, Ezell has a lengthy and violent criminal history and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. In 2010 he was convicted of breaking into his then-girlfriend’s apartment, strangling her and threatening her with a gun.

Carol Kolson of HomeStreet Bank received the Outstanding Community Service Award for enhancing the community through her service and volunteerism. Sarah Kehoe, Tukwila Reporter

FOSTER-TUKWILA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Join us for

HEALING PRAYER SERVICE Sunday, Feb 19, 6:30 pm

Sunday Schedule: CE 9 am; Worship 10:30 am

Lynnyetta Keller of Allied Waste was recognized for leading her team to increase Tukwila’s multifamily sector’s recycling rate to 98 percent.

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FEBRUARY 2012 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

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