REPORT TO THE

CommunityVancouver Public Schools

NOVEMBER 2007 • VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1

Students and staff rock! Washington Elementary School takes National Title I Distinguished School Award

The 400 students who enter Washington Elementary She credits the highly trained and dedicated staff at School each day come from a variety of backgrounds. Washington for moving the kids forward. “Teaching National Merit Most—73 percent—are from low income families, over is rocket science,” claims Turner. “We have truly made 100 students have limited English skills, and some come a difference by addressing the needs of each child.” Semifinalists from families in crisis. Washington students have other things in common—they are resilient, they work hard, She compares good education to weight loss plans. Four students from Vancouver Public and they excelled in reading to take a national award. “Everybody wants a quick solution, but it’s hard work. Schools made the list of 2008 National It takes eating right and exercise, and doing that over Merit Semifinalists. Emily Cabanatuan Washington Elementary School was one of two schools time. It’s the same in education. We want a magic and Colleen Cotter from Columbia River, in the state to receive the 2007 National Title I Distin- lesson plan, a magic curriculum. It takes time and the Brian Tang from Skyview, and Craig Wiley guished School Award. Washington’s award was based on willingness to do what it takes to get the job done,” said from Hudson’s Bay were among the top “exceptional student performance in reading for two or Turner. “The staff members are my heroes because one percent of 1.4 million students who more years.” Bryn Mawr Elementary in Renton received they are committed to doing this hard work every day.” took the PSAT last year. Five students the national award for closing the achievement gap in from Southwest Washington and 16,000 reading. Both schools will be honored at the Title I Turner is right there with them, running the school students in the nation National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in January, while coordinating extra-curricular programs through were named and each will receive an award of $5,000. Three other partnerships. After school, students get support from Semifinalists. schools received the State Title I Distinguished School Math Club, Chess for Success, and Kids First, a recre- Award—Kennydale Elementary in Renton, Centralia ational program offered by Vancouver-Clark Parks and Middle School, and Holmes Elementary in Spokane. Recreation. Women in Action provides mentoring for 5th-grade girls. At lunchtime Clark College students tutor in a Homework Support Club, and Lunch Buddies Learning is student-centered at Washington Elementary. Emily meet with students. Volunteers from Foster Grand- “One of our building-wide goals is to increase student in- Cabanatuan volvement in their own learning. Students are communi- parents, Fort Vancouver Lions Club, United Methodist cating their understanding of what they learn,” said Prin- Church, Memorial Lutheran Church, and Turning Point cipal Theresa David-Turner. “We have some extremely Church all support the school. < resilient children, despite large barriers to success.”

Colleen Cotter

Brian Tang

Craig Wiley REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS Zach McDonnell will strike up the All-American Band On Jan. 8, the top high school football Zach began playing the piano when he players will gather at the Alamodome was six. In 6th grade he started playing to play in the annual U.S. Army All- brass. “I really got involved in marching American Bowl. For the first time ever, a band when I came here (to Skyview) as a marching band composed of the premiere freshman,” Zach said. He plays the mel- high school musicians in the country will lophone, the French horn equivalent for a play at halftime. Among the 91 musicians marching band. will be Zach McDonnell, a senior from Skyview High School. In college he plans to pursue engineering and math and possibly music composition. Band director Steve Robertson encour- “It’s just a part of me—music—always will aged Zach to audition. Last summer be.” Zach received a letter saying he had been accepted into the inaugural Army All- At the Alamodome, Zach will be march- American Marching Band. ing and playing before a crowd of 35,000 people. If NBC Sports doesn’t cut to “One of 91 people out of the United commercials during the halftime show, States. That’s quite something,” admits that audience could swell to millions. Zach. “It’s really cool to experience something like this.” Also cool is the all- “It’s going to be a lot of fun—one of the expenses paid trip to San Antonio, Texas. highlights of my musical career,” he says.<

More awards . . . • Sean Davila, a and Academics, was named a Semifinal- • Evan Labrant, a senior at Hudson’s Bay senior at Hudson’s ist in the 2008 National Achievement High School, is ranked the number one Bay High School, Scholarship Program, which honors Black student in the state in FFA Nursery and was named a American students. Landscape. He beat 51 competitors to scholar in the Col- take “top individual honors.” lege Board 2007- • Columbia River High School was 2008 National named one of the top 1,300 public high • Summer Literacy Academy for Math- Hispanic Recogni- schools in the United States by News- ematics received a state team award for tion Program. His week Magazine. The distinction is earned significant and positive impact on student award was based in part by the number of students who learning from the Washington State As- on his PSAT scores take Advanced Placement (AP) or Inter- sociation for Supervision and Curriculum and GPA. national Baccalaureate (IB) classes. Development (ASCD).

• Amanda Hall, a • Fort Vancouver High School sophomore • Fort Vancouver High School Teacher senior at Vancou- Brianna Johnson won the “Sing 4th” Advisory Groups took a team award for ver School of Arts Clark County High School Vocal contest. instructional leadership and professional growth from ASCD. • Jordan Workman, a student at Gaiser Vancouver Public Schools Middle School, and his mentor Richard • Gaiser Middle School Principal Betty PO Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668-8937 Collins were named the outstanding Roberts was named Principal of the Year 360-313-1000 • www.vansd.org mentor/mentee pair for the state by by the Washington Library Media Asso- Washington State Mentors. ciation. <

Enrollment increases (in deputy Board of Directors superintendent’s family) Edri Geiger • Mari Greves • Dr. Edward Rankin • Dale Q. Rice • Mark Stoker In September Deputy Superintendent Steve Webb them, making sure the supplies got to that baby and opened the school year, organized the next phase of the others. Photos sent back showed the baby growing and Superintendent district’s strategic planning, and healthy. Dr. John W. Erickson then headed to the Democratic Communications Office Republic of Congo (formerly Following months of worry, the Kris Sork, Patricia Mattison Zaire). He and his wife, Lisa, Webbs received notice from the Congo that the baby was theirs. Photos: Ed Vidinghoff, Paul Quackenbush, had been anxiously waiting for Barbara Hill (Webb family), Robert Hubner permission to pick up their They still needed a passport for (Washington State University—Ana Cabrera), son and bring him home to the the baby and legal documents Katie Harkins (University of Washington—Brandis necessary for U.S. citizenship. Svendsen), Chris Phillips (Zach McDonnell) United States.

The Vancouver School District is an Equal Opportunity district The Webbs had been going On Sept. 13 Steve and Lisa in education programs, activities, services, and employment. Webb boarded a plane for the Vancouver School District does not discriminate on the basis of through another international race, color, sex, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, adoption process. The baby Congo to pick up the baby and or age or any other protected classification under state, federal, or complete the process at the local law. We comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act they hoped to adopt was in an of 1973, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment orphanage in Lubumbashi, an American embassy in Kinshasa. Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Eleven days later they returned Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment area of political unrest where Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and babies are susceptible to mal- home to Vancouver with Levi, local equal opportunity laws. This district endeavors to maintain then six months old. Eagerly an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment. Any nutrition and disease. While person who believes he or she has been discriminated against they went through the necessary waiting was big sister, Tess, a should contact the school principal and complete the appropriate precocious four-year-old, ad- grievance or complaint form. You may also contact any of the paperwork and legal actions, the following people by writing to them at Vancouver School District, Webbs shipped boxes of for- opted from China two years ago. PO Box 8937, Vancouver, Washington 98668-8937 or by calling mula and other supplies to the 360-313-1000: ADA, Lee Goeke; Title VII, 504 and IDEA, Doug The Webb family is finally to- Goodlett; Affirmative Action, Lee Goeke; Title IX Elementary, orphanage. An attorney friend Kathy Everidge; Title IX Secondary, Mike Stromme; Athletic gether and doing fine.< Equity, Mick Hoffman. acting as a missionary helped

 NOVEMBER 2007 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS No debate here: Students avidly support AVID Should teenagers who break the law be who, with some focused support, are like- said Oswaldo Camerena, who finds the locked up without parole? It was an ly to set their goals higher and aspire to strategies are already helping him in other intriguing question tackled by 7th-graders do more with their lives. Many of these classes. “It’s a great way to keep you on in the AVID program. Students read an students will be the first in their family to track,” he added. article, highlighting key points and ideas. attend college; some are from low-income Working in pairs, they devised questions families or minority groups. All teachers and counselors at McLough- that would prompt discussion about the lin received training in the AVID pro- issue. The work was in preparation for “These students have a lot of potential, gram, so the strategies are being used a “Socratic Seminar” to be held the next but they may not have the vehicle or en- throughout the school. Husband and day. Then the entire class would debate couragement to get there,” said Principal wife team Jeff and Anne Harwood, who the issue and examine multiple view- Rich Reeves. oversee the AVID program, have watched points. students build confidence along with The AVID students meet together each skills. Teacher Anne Harwood “Students are forced to go back in the text day during 7th period. Here they prac- offers guidance to and consider alternative ideas. We want tice analytical thinking, do research, and “You can see that there’s pride,” said Jeff Katrina DeHut and students to experience that give and take take notes (“Cornell Notes,” or “C- Harwood. “Instilling a sense of pride in a Ruby-Anne Chapman on of ideas with respect for others’ opinions,” Notes” in middle school lingo)—skills 13-year-old—that’s benefit enough.”< an assignment. said teacher Jeff Harwood. “We know that are essential at a those conversations are not always hap- university level. pening around the dinner table.” “We learn something AVID students are learning study tech- new every day,” said niques that will help them in high school student Katherine and college. In addition, they are learning McKinney. “The to work in teams and groups and develop- people in AVID are ing higher level thinking skills. lucky. It’s a great opportunity to learn This year the AVID program, which more and be success- stands for Advanced Placement Via In- ful.” dividual Determination, is being piloted at McLoughlin Middle School. Ap- “This gives you a proximately 30 students were selected to great view about col- participate. The program is designed for lege and school, and students performing at an average level it will really help,”

Full-day kindergarten piloted Kindergarten students at some schools are experiencing longer learning days this year. Peter S. Ogden Elementary School and Fruit Valley Community Learning Center re- Keyboards are key ceived state grants for full-day kindergarten. They were among 108 schools selected in the state for a two-year pilot program. to love of music The Music in Education program, which lets students Paul Christensen and the Hough Foundation then stepped up to fund full-day kinder- learn music on Yamaha keyboards, was piloted at Chinook garten at Hough Elementary School. Christensen, who started the Hough Foundation Elementary School last year. It was a huge success. Stu- in 1992, grew up in the Hough neighborhood and attended Hough Elementary School. dents loved it, teachers loved it, and students came away When the District Board of Directors honored Christensen for his generous contribu- with a strong basic foundation in the elements of music. tions to education, a humble Christensen admitted: “Probably what got me going on the right path, I was the first person ever to be paddled at Hough School.” Based on that success, all elementary music teachers were trained in the program. Keyboards have been installed at Chinook Elementary School also has one class of tuition-based, full-day kindergarten. < 15 elementary schools, where Music in Education is now going strong. Four more schools will have keyboards by January, and all 21 elementary schools will have key- Boys and Girls Club expands boards by spring. A new Boys and Girls Club opened this fall at the Jim Parsley Community Center. The club serves an average of 150 youngsters, grades 1 through 6, after school every day. A typical roster of activities includes dodgeball in the gymnasium, foosball in the game room, art activities, and homework help. Students walk from Roosevelt Elemen- tary School and transportation is provided from King and Truman elementary schools, although the program is open to anyone.

This is the second Boys and Girls Club program in Vancouver Public Schools. The program located at Hazel Dell El- ementary serves students in grades 1 through 12. The club runs during school Alexander Bager (front) and Donovan Austin (center) breaks, as well as practice a musical prelude while Rosa Aguilar listens at Hough Elementary School. after school, for a Ontaia Roberson, 3rd grade, Roosevelt; Mailee Quitugua, 2nd cost of only $15 a grade, King; and Salmak Gomez, 1st grade, Roosevelt, do year. < homework.

NOVEMBER 2007  REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

District graduate news . . .

The Apple Cup of grad news Hudson’s Bay soccer star plays on U.S. national team Former Eagle Tina Ellertson soared with the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team in the World Cup this year in China. Ellertson graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School in 2000 as Tina Frimpong. She and her twin sister, Crystal, continued their high school soccer careers as standouts in college. Crystal played for University of Florida; Tina played for University of Wash- ington, became the university’s leading scorer, and was twice named PAC- 10 Player of the Year. She joined the U.S. Women’s Team two years ago. The Frimpong family still has a foot in Van- UW—The new bronze Husky couver School WSU—As a student in Vancouver statue that graces the Husky Union District soccer. Public School’s Communications Building on the University of Wash- Tina’s father, Academy, Ana Cabrera had the op- ington (UW) campus was designed Joe Frimpong, portunity to interview Tom Brokaw and sculpted by Brandis Svendsen. coaches the and presidential candidate George A 2002 graduate of Vancouver Fort Vancouver W. Bush. Her training and experi- School of Arts and Academics High School ences in high school led to a career (VSAA), Svendsen was in the girls team. < as a news anchor and reporter with first class to attend all seven years KHQ TV, the NBC affiliate in Spo- at VSAA. She graduated from kane, Washington. Cabrera gradu- the UW in 2006 with a degree in ated from Skyview High School in sculpting and was chosen to design 2000 and from Washington State the statue as a gift to the university University in 2004. from her class. The statue was dedicated Sept. 24. Ellertson (center) battles for the ball against Ireland.

The mystery of Professor Phineas: Is he Dr. Dorman?

The Mystery: Independently wealthy Professor Phineas Rout- Dorman has worked as staff psychologist at Children’s Health ledge leads a life of thrilling adventure, solving crimes, and sav- Council in Palo Alto, California, and chief psychologist at the ing the world from destruction. Mild-mannered Professor Casey Massachusetts Hospital School, a residential school and hospital Dorman (and author of the Phineas Routledge tales) spends his for severely physically disabled children and adolescents. He life helping people with mental health problems, teaching, and served as dean of the School of Human Behavior at the United training mental health professionals. Could Professor Routledge States International University in San Diego. In 2000-2002 he be the alter ego of Professor Dorman? The similarity might be was a Health Partners Fellow with the School of Public Health closer than you think… at the University of Illinois. Recently, he retired as Professor of Psychology at Alliant International University’s Irvine, Califor- The Evidence: Casey Dorman, author, has his name on books nia, campus. from one end of Powell’s and amazon.com to the other. He has written Cognitive Effects of Early Brain Injury, published Currently, Dorman is director of training at the County of by Johns Hopkins University Press in 1994, and approximately Orange Health Care Agency, which serves people with mental two dozen profes- health disorders and drug and alcohol problems. The center pro- sional research articles vided emergency trauma help during the recent California fires on children’s mental and for victims of Hurricane Katrina. In 2004 California passed health and learning a law which directs one percent of income over $1 million to be problems. At the oth- invested in a mental health system. Dorman is working at the er end of the Dewey state level to design training programs and establish a system of Decimal spectrum, mental health service providers. Dorman has authored several mystery and For fun, Dorman writes mysteries and thriller novels—another thriller novels. successful career and a way to help children. Profits from his first Phineas Routledge book, Pink Carnation, are donated to the Casey Dorman, psy- Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Art Center in Santa Ana, chologist, has helped California. California Gothic was a finalist for the 2004 EPPIE children and adults Award for best e-book thriller. I, Carlos, published in hardback with mental health in 2004, has been optioned by John Kuri Productions for devel- problems from one opment as a motion picture script. Another Phineas Routledge end of the U.S. to the novel, Death in the Wetlands, which takes place in Orange other. After gradu- County and Vietnam, has yet to be published. ating from Lincoln Elementary, Shumway Junior High, and Fort Vancouver High The Conclusion: A comfortable, if not wealthy, Professor Dorman School, he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees leads a life of thrilling adventure, traveling on book signing tours, in psychology from the University of Washington. solving mental health issues, and saving families devastated by destruction. And, both Routledge and Dorman have beautiful Vietnamese wives. Alter ego? You be the judge. <  NOVEMBER 2007 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS Math academy added up to fun

In Room 201, 5th-grader Teala McCarty was learning decimals The math academy also took place at 4 more schools—Hough, and place value. “To figure out 10 percent more, you move the Walnut Grove, Sarah J. Anderson and Eleanor Roosevelt. And decimal to the left 1 space,” Teala confidently told her mentor, this didn’t happen in just 1 day. The sessions ran 4 days a Family math Xisen Tian, a 10th grader from Columbia River High School. week for 4 weeks, from July 16 to August 9. activity: Outside Room 205, 12 students sat in a semi-circle and sang 8 How many times were numbers verses about “Rounding and Estimating.” Downstairs, in room It all added up to a summer of learning math. < used in this story? 100, kindergarteners and 1st graders were reciting, “There are 0 tigers in our room, 1 flag, 2 trash cans, Find the largest number. Find 3 blue computers…” the smallest number.

The August 1 day would top 90º by afternoon, but What do all the numbers total? inside Hazel Dell Elementary School, at 511 NE How many days did the math Anderson, 170 students were comfortable, learning academy take place? math, and having fun. The students had gathered How many people were at Hazel from 3 elementary schools—Hazel Dell, Minnehaha Dell? and Lincoln—for Math Summer Literacy Academy (MSLA). Math was the main focus, but reading, The math academy took place writing, art, music, and even baseball, filled the at five schools. Estimate how mornings. many people were at all five schools. A total of 11 teachers and 5 support staff worked with the students, while 1 math coach taught the If GEAR UP students teachers, and 5 volunteers helped out. In addition, volunteered the same number of hours at each school, what 10 math mentors (ages 14 to 15) from the GEAR was the total number of hours UP program worked with the younger students they volunteered? 1-on-1 and in small groups. The GEAR UP stu- dents contributed 416 hours of volunteer service. Find the answers on the Vancouver School District If the activities at Hazel Dell seem like a lot for website: www.vansd.org. a lazy summer day, multiply those activities by 5. Xisen Tian, Columbia River, teaches Hazel Dell student Teala McCarty how to balance a checkbook and shop within a budget.

Work continues Superintendent Erickson enters on plan for district home stretch More than 100 district employees and community members Superintendent John Erickson has have been fine-tuning the details of the strategic plan. The plan announced he will retire at the end will set the direction of the district for the next five years and of this school year. Meanwhile, he beyond. The work will be presented to the Board of Directors continues to influence education in for approval at the beginning of the new year. the community and at the state lev- Four major “strategic priorities” have been el. As president of the Washington identified through the process. Staff, Association of School Administra- parents, students, business and community tors, he has been testifying before members have provided input through state policy makers, encouraging two surveys, focus groups, a symposium, the state to fully fund K-12 public and listserv communications. As themes education. became apparent through the process, they A community celebration of were organized with corresponding priori- Dr. Erickson’s 40 years in education is planned for spring. < ties. Specific plans, to include projects and programs, are being developed for each of the themes or “goals,” listed below. For more information, visit the district website at www.vansd.org and select the link titled “Shape the Future of Vancouver Public Schools: Strategic Plan- Board members re-elected ning Process.” Three members of the Vancouver School District Board of Di- The work is impressive: hours of input from a multitude of peo- rectors were re-elected Nov. 6. Edri Geiger, Mari Greves, and ple will soon come together as a plan. Stay tuned for the future Dale Rice will continue their service of Vancouver Public Schools. to the Vancouver School District for another four years. Greves, current- 1) Knowledge, Creativity and Performance ly board president, joined the board • Educating the whole person in 1996. Rice has been on the board • Learner-focused education since 1990, and Geiger since 2005. • Early childhood learning The newest member, Mark Stoker, 2) Culture and Capacity was appointed to the Board on • Professional learning communities for all staff Sept. 10 this year. Stoker is an at- • Resources and workload–equity and balance torney with the firm Heurlin, Potter, • Positive, respectful, and safe environment that fosters John, Leatham & Holtmann, P.S. innovation He is a graduate of Fort Vancou- 3) Time and Space ver High School. He and his wife, • Expanded community-based learning Cynthia, have three children who • 21st century learning environments are recent graduates of Vancouver • Learner-driven calendar schools. Board members are (left to right) Edri Geiger, 4) Relationships and Connections Board member Dr. Edward Rankin Dale Q. Rice, Mari Greves, Mark Stoker, and • Integrated partnerships has served since 1990. He and Dr. Edward Rankin. • Reciprocal and shared accountability Stoker will be up for re-election in • Increased family and parent engagement < 2009. < NOVEMBER 2007  2 007 DISTRICT PERFORMANCE REPORT • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2007 District Performance Report for Vancouver Public Schools A report fulfilling state and federal requirements for reporting standardized testing results District stays true to its mission Innovation and variety—that’s what Vancouver requirements. Success, as judged by meeting ever- Highly qualified staff School District is all about. The district proudly higher bars, is based on one test. According to the The “No Child Left Behind” law requires all continues to offer hundreds of stimulating courses federal “No Child Left Behind” law, all students teachers who teach core academic subjects to be and choices for students. should reach the same level of proficiency by the highly qualified. By definition, a highly qualified year 2014. teacher has full certification, a bachelor’s degree, High school students may select from among eight and demonstrated competence in subject knowledge magnet programs and unique schools. The Chal- Schools and districts must meet Adequate Yearly and teaching. More than 98 percent of district lenge/Honors program is available for highly ca- Progress (AYP) or face sanctions. In Washington teachers meet or exceed these standards, and actions pable students at the elementary and middle school State, the Washington Assessment of Student Learn- are underway to achieve 100 percent. Teachers also grades. Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-AP ing (WASL) in Reading and Math is used to deter- continue to improve their knowledge and skills with courses have been expanded in middle and high mine AYP. Until 2006, scores from grades 4, 7 and ongoing professional training. Lifelong learning and schools. AP Environmental Science was added this 10 were used to determine AYP. This year, scores the quest for excellence are goals for everyone. year. Vancouver is the only school district in South- from grades 3, 5, 6 and 8 were added. Scores from west Washington to offer the International Baccalau- grades 3 through 5 are used to figure AYP for el- VSD teachers 2006-07 reate (IB) Program. The Middle Years Programme ementary schools; scores from grades 6, 7 and 8 are Number of classroom teachers 1,185 (MYP), preparatory to the IB program, began this used to figure AYP for middle schools. As predicted, Average years of teacher experience 12 year at Discovery Middle School, and the AVID pro- because the groups of students are larger, more Teachers with at least a master’s degree 70% gram is being piloted at McLoughlin Middle School. groups qualify for AYP reporting and more do not (See story on page 3.) make AYP. That’s the case for Vancouver and school districts across the state. Arts education still boldly brushes across all grade levels. This year, the Music in Education program Vancouver School District has added interventions, Student characteristics with Yamaha keyboards was expanded from one to classes, and summer programs to help students meet Washington standards. Literacy has been a primary focus for 15 elementary schools, and all elementary schools VSD State the past several years. Last year several new math will have instruments in place by the end of the As of October 2006 classes were added, particularly at the high school school year. (See story on page 3.) The Dual Total enrollment 22,306 1,026,682 Language program at Sarah J. Anderson Elementary level. WASL Prep classes and Summer Math Acad- Percent male 51% 52% School, now in it’s third year, expanded to the 3rd- emy also were added. Percent female 49% 49% grade level. Percent American Indian/Alaskan 2% 3% Will Vancouver also continue to support the arts, the Native It’s a balancing act—providing exciting educational sciences, health and fitness, and expanded areas of Percent Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 8% opportunities while meeting federal and state study? Absolutely! < Percent Black 5% 6% Percent Hispanic 12% 14% Percent White 75% 68% School Improvement Plans Invitation to parents For the 2006-07 school year Teachers and parents work together to make sure Parents can join parent-school organizations, volun- Daily attendance 91% — students can be successful at school. They create teer in the classroom, and attend parent nights. The Low income (May 2007) 44% 37% a School Improvement Plan each year to identify Partnerships Office connects community members In Limited English (May 2007) 8% 8% and describe specific actions being taken to improve with volunteer opportunities. School and district Migrant (May 2007) <1% 2% student achievement at each school. Parents are newsletters strengthen communication. Parent con- In Special Education (May 2007) 11% 13% encouraged to contact their child’s school or visit ferences are scheduled in fall and spring, and parents Annual drop-out rate (2005-06) 4% 6% www.vansd.org to see individual school improve- are encouraged to communicate with teachers at On-time graduation rate (2005-06) 71% 70% ment plans. any time. Parents can register to access their child’s school information online through Parent Access.

Adequate Yearly Progress results for 2007 Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, the American in Math, Special Education in Reading and Thomas Jefferson – Proficiency: Special Education Vancouver School District did not make Adequate Math, Low Income in Math. Gaiser – Proficiency: in Reading. McLoughlin – Proficiency: Hispanic Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years Special Education in Reading and Math, Low In- in Math, Special Education in Reading and Math. in Math at the elementary, middle school and high come in Math. Jason Lee – Proficiency: Hispanic in Fort Vancouver – Proficiency: All Students in Math, school levels. The district is in Step 2 of improve- Reading and Math, Limited English in Reading and Hispanic in Math, Limited English in Reading and ment. Math, Special Education in Reading and Math, Low Math, Low Income in Math. Participation: Hispanic Income in Reading and Math, unexcused absences. in Math, Special Education in Reading and Math. 2007 School AYP results Hudson’s Bay – Proficiency: All Students in Math, Adequate Yearly Progress Status for “All Students” Black American in Math, Special Education in Read- These schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in all VSD ing and Math, Low Income in Math. Participation: 37 categories: AYP Indicators Hispanic in Reading and Math. Lewis and Clark Chinook, Eisenhower, Felida, Franklin, Fruit Val- 2006-07 – Proficiency: All Students in Math, White in Math. ley, Harney, Hazel Dell, Hough, King, Lake Shore, Sufficient percentage of 3rd–5th-grade in Reading yes students met WASL standard Participation: White in Reading and Math, Low In- Lincoln, Marshall, Minnehaha, Peter S. Ogden, in Math yes come in Reading and Math, and graduation rate. Sacajawea, Salmon Creek, Truman, Walnut Grove, At least 95% of 3rd–5th-grade students in Reading yes and Washington elementaries; Alki Middle School; participated in WASL testing in Math yes If a school does not meet AYP in the same content and Columbia River, and Skyview high schools. Sufficient percentage of 6th–8th-grade in Reading yes category (reading or math), or participation rate or Vancouver School of Arts and Academics made AYP students met WASL standard in Math yes unexcused absence/graduation rate for two years in for middle school and grade 10. Vancouver Home At least 95% of 6th–8th-grade students in Reading yes a row, it is designated “in need of improvement” and Connection made AYP for elementary, middle school participated in WASL testing specific action must be taken. and grade 10. in Math yes Sufficient percentage of 10th-grade in Reading yes These schools are designated “in need of improvement:” These schools did not make AYP in one or more of the 37 students met WASL standard in Math yes Gaiser Middle School and Hudson’s Bay High categories: At least 95% of 10th-grade students in Reading yes School are in Step 1 stage of improvement; Discov- Sarah J. Anderson – Proficiency: Hispanic in Read- participated in WASL testing in Math yes ery Middle School is in Step 2 stage of improve- ing, Limited English in Reading and Math, Low No more than 1% of elementary school students’ yes ment; Lewis and Clark High School is in Step 3 Income in Reading. Fir Grove/Vista – Proficiency: absences were unexcused stage of improvement; Jason Lee Middle School, All Students in Reading and Math, unexcused ab- No more than 1% of middle school students’ absences yes McLoughlin Middle School and Fort Vancouver sences. Roosevelt – Proficiency: Limited English in were unexcused High School are in Step 4 stage of improvement. < Reading and Math. Discovery – Proficiency: Black Met the on-time graduation rate requirement yes  NOVEMBER 2007 2 007 DISTRICT PERFORMANCE REPORT • VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The mission of Vancouver Public Schools is to assure that, within a nurturing and stimulating environment, each of our diverse students and graduates achieves literacy and appropriate core competencies, and becomes a responsible and compassionate citizen.

Student Performance on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning

VANCOUVER SCHOOL DISTRICT – 3rd, 4th and 5th GRADES

Percent of students scoring at/above WASL standards in 2006 and 2007

3RD GRADE 4TH GRADE 5TH GRADE 2007 District Performance Report Group Reading Math Reading Writing Math Reading Math Science This report is a requirement of the No 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. For All Students 63 65 59 63 77 71 59 55 54 52 70 67 50 55 27 29 detailed information, go to www.vansd. org, pull down School Information, Male 58 62 58 61 74 66 50 46 52 49 65 64 49 54 23 27 then select School Report Cards Data. Female 67 69 60 64 81 75 68 65 55 54 75 70 51 56 31 31 Information about NCLB and AYP is American Indian 59 74 44 62 80 58 56 58 53 32 55 67 32 37 16 26 available on these websites: www.k12. Asian 59 68 65 67 88 70 69 67 60 57 73 73 56 61 30 31 wa.us and www.nochildleftbehind.gov. Black 46 48 35 38 60 57 48 40 34 26 50 50 27 36 9 11 Hispanic 43 39 40 41 61 60 44 44 36 36 47 47 24 34 8 10 White 68 72 65 69 80 74 62 57 58 57 76 71 56 61 32 34 For Spanish translations, call Stephanie Limited English 31 21 29 25 47 34 32 26 23 12 20 22 6 14 0 3 Ongtooguk at 313-1112, 6600#. For Special Educ. 27 29 27 25 41 42 29 24 20 19 30 22 15 12 6 9 Russian translations, call Katrina Walla Low Income 47 53 45 50 69 60 48 45 40 36 58 53 33 39 12 15 at 313-1112, 4694#. For comparison purposes, percentages of 4th-grade All Students in Washington State who met the standards are as follows: 2006 Reading: 81%; Si desea que le lean o aclaren 2007 Reading: 76%; 2006 Math: 59%; 2007 Math: 58%. este informe en español, favor de llamar a la intérprete, Sra. Stephanie Ongtooguk, al VANCOUVER SCHOOL DISTRICT – 6th, 7th and 8th GRADES 313-1112, oprima el 6600# y Percent of students scoring at/above WASL standards in 2006 and 2007 deje un mensaje. Gracias.

6TH GRADE 7TH GRADE 8TH GRADE Group Reading Math Reading Writing Math Reading Math Science ȿɫɥɢ ɜɵ ɯɨɬɢɬɟ, ɱɬɨɛɵ ɷɬɨɬ 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 ɨɬɱɺɬ ɜɚɦ ɩɪɨɱɢɬɚɥɢ ɢɥɢ All Students 64 64 43 44 59 63 55 62 42 47 70 67 46 45 39 38 ɩɨɹɫɧɢɥɢ ɩɨ-ɪɭɫɫɤɢ, ɩɨɡɜɨɧɢɬɟ Male 59 59 44 42 56 57 45 53 41 47 67 63 47 44 39 36 ȿɤɚɬɟɪɢɧɟ ȼɚɥɥɚ ɩɨ ɬɟɥɟɮɨɧɭ 313-1112, ɚ ɤɨɝɞɚ ɜɵ ɭɫɥɵɲɢɬɟ Female 69 70 42 45 63 69 67 71 43 47 72 71 46 46 38 40 ɚɜɬɨɨɬɜɟɬɱɢɤ, ɧɚɛɟɪɢɬɟ 4694# ɢ American Indian 44 46 30 28 55 54 53 39 27 41 68 57 41 14 40 18 ɨɫɬɚɜɶɬɟ ɫɨɨɛɳɟɧɢɟ. ɂɥɢ ɠɟ Asian 64 70 41 48 69 67 65 77 56 49 74 72 49 60 40 51 ɩɨɡɜɨɧɢɬɟ ȿɥɟɧɟ Ȼɟɧɢɤɨɜɨɣ – Black 52 44 23 22 46 50 42 52 16 24 55 44 25 19 16 15 313-3545. Hispanic 47 44 21 16 32 47 34 48 14 30 52 46 21 17 15 13 White 69 69 49 50 63 66 58 65 47 52 73 71 51 49 44 42 Limited English 18 8 4 5 8 20 18 25 3 9 31 16 16 7 2 4 Special Educ. 24 19 10 7 18 25 16 23 7 11 25 22 6 8 8 7 Low Income 48 49 24 26 41 48 37 48 21 30 54 50 28 26 21 18 For comparison purposes, percentages of 7th-grade All Students in Washington State who met the standards are as follows: 2006 Reading: 62%; 2007 Reading: 69%; 2006 Math: 49%; 2007 Math: 54%.

VANCOUVER SCHOOL DISTRICT – 10th GRADE

Percent of students scoring at/above WASL standards in 2006 and 2007 2006-07 General Fund Budget Local levy $30,955,902 16.2% Group Reading (10th grade) Math (10th grade) Writing (10th grade) Science (10th grade) Where the Local receipts 5,770,693 3.0% 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 money comes from: State funds 131,891,146 68.9% All Students 80 79* 48 47* 78 83* 29 34 Federal funds 21,552,885 11.2% Male 77 75 48 47 72 77 31 31 Other funds 1,354,786 0.7% Female 83 83 48 48 85 90 28 37 Total sources $191,525,412 100.0% American Indian 84 83 26 39 75 86 8 22 Asian 80 90 53 56 86 89 39 38 Where the Salaries and benefits: Black 66 53 32 23 80 74 16 13 money goes: Certificated salaries $87,504,419 45.8% Hispanic 60 57 22 19 55 70 9 8 Classified salaries 35,524,299 18.5% Benefits 38,972,765 20.3% White 83 83 52 52 81 86 32 38 Supplies & instructional materials 14,424,922 7.5% Limited English 18 46 10 10 23 54 2 3 Purchased services 13,600,192 7.1% Special Educ. 41 54 12 10 37 61 5 8 Other expenditures 1,498,815 0.8% Low Income 65 65 23 29 65 74 12 17 Total uses $191,525,412 100.0% For comparison purposes, percentages of 10th-graders in Washington State who met the standards are as follows: 2006 Reading: 82%; 2007 Reading: 81%; 2006 Math: 51%; 2007 Math: 50%. Expenditure by pupil * These percentages do not include results from the August tests taken by 10th-grade students. The In 2006-07, the actual per pupil expenditure rate for instruction was $6,840. percentage of students who met or exceeded the standard increased as follows: Reading 80%, Math 50%, and Writing 85%. The above information is from the Executive Summary of the Fiscal Year Budget 2006-07. For more detailed information, please call the Business Office at 313-1341.

NOVEMBER 2007  REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY • VA NCOUVER PUB LIC SCHOOLS

Lessons in quilting Students at Eisenhower Elementary School make a quilt each year to donate to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The project is a valuable learning lesson for the 3rd-graders in Steve E-mail from a teacher Dietz’ class: students >>> Kirk Fitzer 10/17/2007 12:49 PM >>> strengthen their math skills, Hi, learn to sew, and experience Today is the day it happened. I realize in the back of my the joy of giving. mind I have always been wondering when and wishing Students presented these for this day to arrive. It is in my mind a rite of passage quilts last summer. Pictured and I will now rest easier knowing I have passed the left to right, front row: Erin test. Scott, Tara Umesh, Ryan Today I received my first apple!!! What a beauty! It Standley, Emma Erickson, is a crisp Golden Delicious plucked from an uncle’s Ian Rose. Back row: Louise tree. I will always remember the look on that little Hewitt, Bridget Beatson, and face as the statement, “Mr. Fitzer, I brought you an Kirsten Johnson. apple,” was delivered. The apple is likely the most recognizable symbol of the teaching profession. Finally,

I have my own. As I placed the apple on my desk I e thought, “Yeah, this is one of those moments.” What Rotarian (Ro-târ´e- n) n. Giver of dictionaries moments? This is the type of moment that reminds me Thanks to Rotarians throughout Clark County, all 3rd-graders have their own dictionaries— of why I made the choices I’ve made. It also reminds that’s 5,200 dictionaries in 55 schools! On Monday, Oct. 29, members of various Rotary me that I must always take the time to enjoy these clubs visited Hazel Dell moments. That’s why I had to share this with you. Elementary to hand out dictionaries to 93 students. Enjoy your moments, Kirk This is the second year the Rotary Clubs, with the help of the Vancouver Grange, New teacher Kirk Fitzer sent this e-mail to his colleagues have conducted the giveaway at Hazel Dell Elementary School. This year Fitzer has his countywide. Rotarians very own classroom of 3rd-graders at Hazel Dell. He is collect donations for the following in the footsteps of his parents, both retired edu- project, then match the cators from Vancouver Public Schools. His mother, Gerri amount collected to purchase Fitzer, taught kindergarten at Hazel Dell; his father, Tom the dictionaries. Fitzer, was a school counselor. < Photo: Karianne Elliott receives a dictionary of her own.

Student mural beautifies downtown Vancouver Nine Vancouver students contributed their time and talent this summer to make their city more beautiful. The students, who range from 4th through 12th grade, painted a 16 x 16-foot mural designed to look like stained glass. The mural is located in downtown Vancouver at 9th and Main Street. Heather Fukuchi, Washington Elemen- tary art teacher, headed up the team of students. They worked with professional mural artist Cath- ryn Howard on the project funded by the Clark County Mural Society.

The student artists are (left to right): Eugene Zelyak, 11th grade, Fort Vancouver; Slavic Shulikov, 7th grade, Discovery; Dasha Shulikov, 5th grade, Washington; Tatiana Hincu, 12th grade, Fort Vancouver; Madison Snyder, 4th grade, Eisenhower; Anya Trembly, 9th grade, VSAA; Sierra Rhodes, 6th grade, VSAA; Jaymie Stoops, 6th grade, Discovery; and Tavifa Gurmeza, 11th grade, Fort Vancouver. <

Vancouver Public Schools Non-Profit Organization PO Box 8937 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Vancouver, Washington 98668-8937 Vancouver, WA InsideReport PERMIT NO. 233 2007 National School Award Cover POSTAL CUSTOMER Graduate News Page 4

District Performance Report Pages 6-7

 APRIL 2006