Students Create Murals Celebrating Their Communityw
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Puyallup School District POSTAL CUSTOMER NON-PROFIT ORG. 302 Second Street SE U.S. POSTAGE PAID P. O. Box 370 D.N.B. CO. IN THIS ISSUE ECRWSS Puyallup, WA 98371 School Board Resubmits M & O Levy to Voters April 23 See related articles on CONNECTIONS pages two and three Volume 7:5 Published for Puyallup School District's Community Partners for a Quality Future March 2002 Students create murals celebrating their community With paintbrushes in hand and thoughts focused on the Orantes, a native of Guatemala and an world around them, students at Karshner and Zeiger approved artist through the Washington elementaries transformed blank school walls into vibrant State Arts Commission, has worked with murals, featuring scenes from their schools, state and area schools the past 15 years. One of his national landmarks, and space. most widely celebrated works is the expansive mural on Campus Parkway near The budding artists received guidance from professional the University of Washington. artist Jose Orantes, who spent two weeks at each of the schools recently to help students brainstorm ideas, Gayle Disbrow, second grade teacher at transfer their thoughts onto the expansive walls, then use Zeiger who wrote the grant with Principal colorful paints to bring their images to life. Brian Fox, says it gives an opportunity for students of different ages to work The murals were funded with grants from the Pierce together on one common goal. Zeiger County Arts Commission Artist in Residence program, in chose 150 students, including three to addition to contributions from both schools' Parent five students from each classroom, to Teacher Associations. Karshner and Zeiger are two of participate in the mural. several elementaries, including Stewart, that hosted Artists in Residence this year. The hallway was filled with smiles and chatter as students proudly Karshner Elementary students (from left): Lori Gott, sketched or painted Luis Sandoval, and Claudia Gonzalez. their designs. “I drew that!” exclaimed first grader Justin Grant artist who could share the language and celebrate the culture as he proudly pointed to a car. As with the school’s Hispanic students. “They spoke Spanish he swirled colors in his plastic through the whole process, and Mr. Orantes talked with them paint cup, he added, “I like about Guatemala and his art training,” says DeGroot. coloring, so it must be fun painting.” Karshner’s three sixth-grade classes also participated in the Nearby, fifth grader Tim Lockey used a project, which greets visitors as they enter the school. permanent marker to outline shapes of Wooden benches, donated by Karshner parents Paul and children playing near a playground and flying Connie Petrovich, run the length of the mural and are from an outline of the world. “I like this inscribed with “Karshner Tigers.” project. It might inspire students to become artists some day.” Other scenes on Karshner’s mural include Seattle’s Space Needle, the roller coaster at the Puyallup Fair, an ocean scene, One of the main objectives at Karshner and the Statue of Liberty. Zeiger’s mural includes Mount Elementary was to involve the growing Rainier, daffodil fields, an airplane, a telescope pointed to the Zeiger Elementary students (from left), Daniel Sea and population of Hispanic students and their stars, an American flag, and the school itself. Orantes says he Logan Wilson help paint mural with guidance from families, says sixth grade teacher Trish enjoys working with elementary students because they have DeGroot. DeGroot applied for the grant and good imaginations, are open to ideas, and don't worry what (inset) Artist in Residence Jose Orantes. specifically requested a Spanish speaking others think — "they just do it and have fun with it." 2 March 2002 http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us Champions for Children PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICT Superintendent's Message Board of Directors Kathy Afflerbaugh School support is up to the voters President 840-1185 On February 5, we submitted a mainte- services and staff. Whether or not we Terry Asbjornsen Vice President nance and operations replacement levy provide these things for our students in 845-3760 to you — the Puyallup voters. Al- Puyallup is our choice to make-as citizens though the majority of the voters and voters in the Puyallup School District. Bruce Dammeier approved the levy, we failed to receive Legislative Representative 370-7198 the 60 percent supermajority support Certainly, these are challenging times required by our State Constitution. Susan Gourley for us. It is extremely difficult to Greg Heath Consequently, the election failed by think about not having the resources to 770-8797 .82 percent — less than 1 percent. Superintendent provide our students with the educa- Diana Seeley tion they are used to receiving and we 848-4028 Of course, the result of this election is are accustomed to providing. It is disappointing to me, our Board of even more difficult to realize that, Susan Gourley Directors, and our staff. The potential Superintendent while a majority of the Puyallup voters 841-8769 impact a levy failure will have on our support our schools, the supermajority 20,000+ students and their education, requirement may keep us from provid- District Mission as well as on our community, will be ing our students and community the In partnership with our families and huge. However, I also know that the community, we provide all students the educational program that has been a support of our schools is a local which does not. To meet the timelines best educational opportunities hallmark of the Puyallup School necessary to reach their full potential decision … it is up to Puyallup voters established by Washington State law and become responsible, productive to decide the level of support it wishes and other requirements in our em- District and the Puyallup community. citizens of good character. to provide for our children. For me, ployee contracts, we are currently identifying the necessary budget Understanding the budget and the Connections Editorial Policy the challenge is balancing the needs of Connections is published periodically by our children with the resources we reductions which will be required decisions made to support children in the Puyallup School District as part of a have available. should voters not approve the next their educational achievements is a communications link between the district levy election. complex process. Unfortunately, and the community. Its intent and purpose is to provide the Board and district staff a At a recent meeting, our Board of people sometimes react to misinforma- venue to inform community members Directors decided to resubmit the levy The State of Washington provides about tion or incomplete information by about programs, goals, and activities of 75 percent of our funding in Puyallup, assuming that “the District” is making public education in the Puyallup School to the voters on April 23. Should District. Please direct questions or voters again decide not to vote for the and the Federal government provides an poor choices for children or is not comments to Karen Hansen, Administra- replacement levy, we will be decreas- additional 5 percent. The rest — 20 following the intent of the voters. If tive Assistant to the Superintendent, PO percent — is a local option. The 80 you are one of those people, or if you Box 370, Puyallup WA 98371 or telephone ing program by about 20 percent to (253) 841-8703 or e-mail live within the funding provided by the percent funded by the State and Federal simply have a question about the [email protected]. Re- State and Federal government. government supports what the State budget or any of our administrative sponses, as appropriate, will be provided legislature has defined as basic educa- decisions, please call me at (253) 841- directly to those who contact this office. As a school district, we are now in the tion. Among other things, it pays for 8769. I will be happy to personally Coordinator: Karen Hansen process of building our budget for the many of our teachers and some of our meet with you to help you understand Editor: Susan Gifford support staff. It pays for some transpor- why and how the decision was made. Technical Assistance: Carrington, Ink! 2002-2003 school year. We are Contributing Writers: currently meeting with community and tation costs and some of our special Although you still may not agree with Kristy Halverson, Susan Gifford staff focus groups to determine what education costs—but not all. the decision, at least you will know Puyallup School District No. 3 complies with the priorities should be. We have and understand the reasons behind it. all federal rules and regulations and does not invited approximately 400 community The levy-the 20 percent local option-pays discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, and staff members to participate in this for a number of things we have come to Yes, we have had some challenges to marital status, age, national origin, religion, take for granted. For example, classroom or disability. This holds true for all students process. Using the information we overcome over these past two years. who are interested in participating in gather from our stakeholders, we will teachers we hired to lower class sizes is But, I am proud to say that we have educational programs and/or extracurricular develop the budget. part of the local option. Also included are worked hard to meet each challenge activities. Inquiries regarding compliance textbooks and library books our students procedures may be directed to the district's that surfaced … and we have done it Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and Section 504 Due to the uncertainty of the upcoming need and use, extra-curricular activities, with the dedicated efforts of staff and Coordinator (Caroline Lacey, director/ election, this year we will be develop- music programs, athletics, school security, the support and encouragement of employee relations and legal counsel) at 302 Second Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372.