May 2010 Staff Newsletter - Kennewick School District

KSD Connection
Staff Newsletter
Education...the bridge to the future
May 2010
Edison Students Take Wildlife Fieldtrip
Amistad Second Grader Medals in
Science and Engineering Contest
Nikhil Devanathan, a
second grader in Mrs.
Bell's class at Amistad,
participated in the East
Side Washington Science
Teacher's Association
Science and Engineering
Contest in April.
Students from all three Edison Elementary second
grade classrooms recently took a field trip to Hood
Park to learn about animals and their camouflage from
McNary Wildlife Reserve and Army Corp of
Engineers staff. The field trip tied into a reading unit
in the Imagine It! curriculum the students were
studying entitled “Look Again”, which focused on
animal camouflage. Pete
Ober, Natural Resource
Specialist with the
Reserve, gave a short
presentation and then
led students on nature
hike around the pond
area of the park. The
kids were able to
observe water fowl and
other small creatures in
their natural
habitat. The trip was a
real success for
all. Several parent
volunteers accompanied the class on the trip and were
a great help in managing small groups of students!
In the "Bridge Building"
category, he won a gold
medal in the K-2 contest
with a bridge made out
of popsicle sticks and
Elmer's school glue. The
bridge weighed 143.8
grams and failed at a
load of 368 lb. The
bridge withstood 1160 times its weight before failing!
Nikhil also won a silver medal in the "Great Egg
Tower" category of the contest.
Desert Hills Teacher
Honored
Chris Clem from Desert Hills
Middle School was awarded the
Celebrate Literacy Award for
Excellence in Teaching by the
Benton-Franklin Literacy
Council. Chris received her award
during the Poetry Celebration held
at Barnes and Noble on April 28.
Congratulations!
Our Mission:
To send our youth into the future ready to reach their potential
as adults through a lifetime of learning.

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Kamiakin FFA Metal Art Auction
Kamiakin FFA is auctioning metal art pieces to raise
money for the state FFA Foundation. The art is
currently on display and open for bids at You and I
Framing and Gallery, 214 W. 1 st Ave. in downtown
Kennewick. Bids will be taken through May 19 by
calling or e-mailing Mike or Brooke at You and I
Framing at 509-582-0200 or
youiframing@yahoo.com.
Thirteen metal art
works were created
by students in FFA
chapters around the
state for a
competition hosted
by Kamiakin FFA
and Columbia Basin
College last March.
Teams of between two and give students with a
consulting advisor, had only six hours to design and
build a table top sculpture,
yard art, or wall hanging
On the May 19, the art pieces
will be brought back to
Kamiakin High School where
the winning bidders will be
called and arrangements will
be made to deliver the art.
Poetry Entry Wins Second Place
May 2010
Kyla Powell, a fifth grade student in the KOG
program, won second
place in Benton Franklin
Reading Council’s
Spring Poetry Contest
with her poem entitled
“Wolves.” Her teacher
tells us that Kyla is a
prolific poet, with a dry
wit that makes her
poems surprising and
amazes the reader when
they find out that the
author is only 11 years old.
"Wolves"
Dusk falls among the pines,
Shadows of sleek, curved lines
Flit between the trees, tails trailing behind.
They are wolves, quick of foot and mind.
A wolf raises its head up high,
A bone-chilling howl goes up in the sky.
No matter the fur color, be it black, grey or white,
They all look silver in the moonlight.
I see an alpha; I see a runt.
The pack is on the hunt,
Running across ice and through snow white,
Just waking up as day turns to night.

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Leapin’ Lizards,
wait...make that Dragons
Southgate’s Dragon Jam Marimba Band was the
headlining act at KNDU’s recent family food drive. The
students’ high energy show energized the crowd and
was televised live on KNDU.
Latino Night a Success
Student volunteers helped organize and present at
“Latino Night,” an event for Migrant/Bilingual
families of Kamiakin students. Students discussed
issues they are facing in school and helped parents
to understand the kind of support they need from
them to succeed. Representatives from community
agencies and organizations were also at the event to
provide information on resources available to the
families. The evening kicked off with an interactive
entertainment program in the auditorium and ended
with a free dinner in the cafeteria.
Three Kennewick Schools Earn
Recognition for Excellence by OSPI
May 2010
Ridge View, Washington,
and Lincoln Elementary
schools have all been
recognized by OSPI and the
State Board of Education as
being among the topperforming
schools in
Washington State. The
Washington Achievement Awards are given to
elementary, middle, high and comprehensive
schools in six different categories: overall
excellence, language arts, math, science, extended
graduation rate (for high and comprehensive
schools only) and gifted education.
Awards are based on a school’s
performance according to the
newly created School
Accountability Index, a
comprehensive measurement of
how schools in Washington are
performing over time.
Lincoln Elementary received
the award in the Overall
Excellence category,
Washington Elementary
received the award in both the
Overall Excellence and
Language Arts categories, and
Ridge View was recognized
in three categories, Overall Excellence, Language
Arts, and Science.
Congratulations to Lincoln, Washington, and
Ridgeview for the work accomplished on in
furthering student achievement! .
School Nurse Day is May 12!

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Kennewick DECA Students Attend
Leadership Academy
Kennewick High DECA members Shelbi Wood,
Katia Johnson, and Hayley Self attended the annual
DECA International Career Development
Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from April 24-
27. Shelbi and Hayley participated in the
Leadership Development Academy, where they
learned about working effectively in teams and
strategies for making KHS DECA a stronger
chapter. As an incoming State Officer, Katia
participated in LEAD, which helped prepare her for
her duties as our Area 6 DECA President next year.
Kennewick Teacher Honored by
American Chemical Society
John Mauch, a chemistry
teacher at Kennewick High
School has received the
Theodore Richards Award for
Excellence in Teaching
Secondary School Chemistry
from the Northeastern Section
of the American Chemical
Society. Mr. Mauch has been invited to attend an
awards ceremony in Boston at Emmanuel College
later this month. Congratulations on receiving this
prestigious honor!
January May 2010
Community Ed Offers Opportunities
for Clock Hours
Summer is coming and with it
comes a great time to refresh,
relax, and catch up on the things
that just don’t seem to fit into
the busy school year. It is also
the perfect time to acquire clock hours on your own
schedule, at your own pace, and in any place you
happen to be! Experience learning the way it was
meant to be: enjoyable, clear, uncomplicated, fast,
and convenient. Find a complete class catalog
through the Community Education website’s
www.ksd.org/communityed online classes link and
you’ll have the flexibility to study at your own
pace combined with enough structure and support
to complete the course. The courses can be
accessed 24/7 from anywhere with an Internet
connection.
New sessions of each six-week online course will
start on 5/19, 6/16, and 7/21 with two lessons
released weekly (for a total of 12).
Each course
includes
comprehensive
lessons, quizzes,
assignments, and a
discussion area.
Dedicated
instructors facilitate every course; pacing learners,
answering questions, giving feedback, and
facilitating discussions.
To learn more about clock hour preapproval:
Certificated Staff, please contact Brenda Pizzarella
at extension 6579 and Classified Staff, please
contact Linda Kuhn at extension 5010.
Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-8

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Environmental Science Students Plant
New Tree at Southridge
Southridge Environmental Science students
gathered at the corner of the school to plant a new
tree – with a little help from the Benton PUD. The
planting was organized by Southridge Junior,
Kirstie Armberg, as part of her culminating project.
The tree is an Autumn Gold Ginkgo Biloba. “I
wanted to plant a
tree to draw kids’
attention to the
ecological impact of
trees,” said Kirstie.
“I choose this tree
because of its
unusual leaves that
turn yellow in the fall – one of our school colors.”
Kirstie coordinated the planting with Maintenance
and Grounds Manager, Ken Smith, as well as the
Benton PUD to be certain it was planted in a
location that would not conflict with utilities or
power lines. After receiving Kirstie’s call, The
Benton PUD generously offered to donate and help
plant the tree. “The PUD likes to get involved and
donate trees
for Arbor
Day and
other events,
such as
these,” said
Brian
Cramer, Tree
Coordinator
for the PUD.
Four Kennewick Teachers Receive
Technology Grants
January May 2010
Tana Perkins at Eastgate, Jonathan Calderon at
Edison, and Lance Musutt and Waylon Duncan at
Kennewick High are among only 100 teachers in
Washington State who received a Teaching and
Learning in the 21st Century Grant for the 2010-
2011 school year. Recipients receive $7,600 for
professional development structured in two phases:
hands-on training that develops strong
proficiencies with digital technologies, and the
study and practice of instructional strategies that
integrate technology into standards-based curricula.
ESD Art Show PowerPoint Online
If you missed ESD
123’s annual art show,
or just wish you could
enjoy the work of our
amazingly talented
students again, now
you can! Simply
“Birds
of a Feather”
2-D Digital Art
Majesta Vestal
Southridge High School
follow this link to see a Power Point Presentation
of works submitted by Kennewick students.
Elementary Art Workshops Offered at
Kennewick High
Fun Elementary Art Workshops are being offered
at Kennewick High this month. Coming up May 5:
Draw the Face and Glaze Pottery and May 12: Tie
Dye T-Shirts and Pick Up Pottery Time: 3:30 pm
to 5:30 pm, Place: Room 200 at Kennewick High
(Enter either from the front of the school or back
parking lot off 6th street, between the new Gym
and the main building.)
Cost is $10 for a single session (additional siblings
cost $5 per session). You can register at the door,
e-mail suzy.ard@ksd.org, or call Kennewick High
School at (509) 222-7100. Click here for link to
permission slip.

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Let’s Get Fit
Equine Education Day
Students in Tri-Tech’s
Pre-Veterinarian
Program spent a day in
Finley with students and
staff from River View
High School for an
Equine Education Day.
January May 2010
Let’s get fit!! Cascade students and parents got
together for Zumba, a fun fitness program that
combines Latin and international music with dance.
The Friday night class was taught by a Tri City
Court Club instructor and funded through the
Physical Education Program grant.
Nominations Being Accepted for Staff
Excellence Awards
Nominations for the 2010 Staff Excellence Awards
are now being accepted. Forms are available online
on KSD’s internal website at Staff Excellence
Award Nomination Forms. (Remember to click the
“sign in” link at the top right of the page.) These
forms may be filled out online and e-mailed – or
printed out and returned by pony to Lorraine
Cooper in the Administration Building.
The categories are Certificated Specialist;
Elementary, Middle, and High School Teacher;
Creativity in Curriculum; Administrator; Staff
Support; and Outstanding Partner of the year.
Please return completed nomination forms by June
4, 2009. The winners will be announced at the
Welcome Back Assembly in August.
We encourage all staff members to participate.
Thank you and we look forward to receiving your
nominations!
Education Bosses Week May 16-22
The hands-on clinic
taught students
techniques for catching,
haltering, and saddling
horses as well as
grooming, interpreting horse behavior, and correct
human behavior around horses.
And, since this
was a Pre-Vet
class, they also
were shown
how to
administer
shots, wrap
wounds and
assess over all
equine health.
Orchestra Festival May 6!
Do you love music? If so, you won’t want to miss
Kennewick’s 30th annual Orchestra Festival. Come
out and show your support for our young musicians
and their many hours of rehearsal, practice, and
dedication. You’ll hear performances from students
in our fifth grade, middle and high school
orchestras. The event is free at the Toyota Center
next Thursday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to
view the Inside Kennewick Schools Promo!
Want to see your news here?
The KSD Connection generally publishes the first Friday
of the first full week of the month. Send calendar
items and tid-bits to ellen.love@ksd.org by the 30th of
each month. Send story and feature ideas to
lorraine.cooper@ksd.org. Photos are welcome.

KSD Connection ~ Staff News, Notes, and Events
Calendar of Events
05/03—05-07, Teacher Appreciation Week!
05/06—Orchestra Festival at 7:30 pm at the
Toyota Center—Free
05/11—Southridge High final jazz concert at
7pm and will feature jazz standards as well as
fun favorites from Steve Winwood and Bon Jovi.
05/12—School Nurse Appreciation Day!
05/14—Ridge View’s annual “Coyote Howl”
A fun filled evening with games and food, 5:30 –
7:30 pm
05/16—05-22, Educational Bosses Week
05/20—Desert Hills spring band concert held in
the Kamiakin gymnasium starting at 6pm.
Includes jazz bands I and II, 6 th grade concert
band, 7 th grade blue Band and the 8 th grade gold
band.
.
05/26—Southridge High final band, choir and
orchestra concert at 7pm. Exciting new music
will be performed, including hits from Jason
Mraz, Five for Fighting, and Neil Diamond.
06/01—MATP Special Olympics Event will be
held at Southridge High School this year. All life
skills students are invited.
06/01—Desert Hills BBQ jazz band perform for
students during all three lunch periods.
January May 2010
06/09—ECEAP Annual Picnic will be held in
Kewaydin Park from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, June 9. ECEAP students will be
making a special donation from a penny drive to
the Kennewick Police Department in support of
Cooper's Corner. (A fun and free place at
Columbia Center Mall for kids and their parents
to learn about bicycle and pedestrian safety)
May Sampler of One-Day Community
Education Classes
Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift?
Bring Mom to a Community Ed class!
Click on the links below for upcoming classes.
5/12, Wed ~ Home-style Meatless Meals
6:30-9:30 pm, Southridge HS, Class Fee: $17
plus $5 Supply Fee.
5/16, Sun ~ Sewing for Beginners
2:00–5:00 pm, 200 S. Dayton Building Class
Fee: $19 plus $10 Supply Fee.
5/22, Sat ~ Beginning MS Powerpoint
9:00-1:00 pm, Southridge HS, Class Fee: $29
5/22, Sun ~ Pickled Asparagus
9:00– noon, Southridge HS, Class Fee: $19 plus
$10 Supply Fee
5/22, Sat ~ Writing Children’s Books
9:00- noon, Southridge HS, Class Fee $19
Full class listings, more information and
registration at www.ksd.org/communityed.