Tag: schools

Lynndale’s last days

Carl Setzer

Sitting in the old gym last night listening to another concert, I felt a sense of finality. This building, built in 1957 and remarkably unchanged since, is doomed. Within a month, this building will be gone. Making way for the new.

Memories haunt these halls. Though I never was a student here, my son’s whole academic career resides here. Over the past 7 years, I’ve been in many meetings, many activities in many of these rooms. This place contains many memories, and probably the majority of my son’s.

One of the Edmonds School Districts’s oldest buildings, it contains the style of those schools I grew up with. Going forwards, he moves into a structure built in the 2000s, then to one from the late 80s. Yet, there’s connection for me. Name-wise, these are the same institutions I attended.

Progress is good. The new nudge school and high school are well crafted, delightful places. They meet the needs of 21st century students. Good ol’ tired, when Lynndale will soon join those ranks. And the gladness I feel tempers the sadness. The connections will hold.

Congrats to the Lynnwood High Girls Basketball Team

Carl Setzer

Earlier this week, Lynnwood’s Mayor and City Council were able to give the most formal of congratulations to our local State Champs!  As a Meadowdale alum and long-time Lynnwood resident, just want to say how proud I am of our local kids doing great things.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that our local Pacific Little League boys were in the Little League World Series. This region has some good sports genes I guess.

Meeting the New Meadowdale Middle

Carl Setzer

A few nights ago I attended Meadowdale Middle School’s Information Night. As an alum it’s a particularly unique sensation. The evening definitely clarified the transition upon us: the journey into the middle school years. Oddly, I haven’t felt much fear or angst about the boy’s transition, though others on this journey around me do. Talking with those other parents, I think the roots of that anxiety stem from our own journey into those years.

When I transitioned from Beverly to Meadowdale Junior High, I don’t remember much in the way of support or discussion. I remember the cheerleaders coming to my school, and talks about registering. I think we even walked the mile or so down to the school. Of course, that was quite some time ago and my memory probably isn’t to be fully trusted. I was rather unique, though. I lived a relatively small amount of time in this community. Attending Beverly for all of 6th grade, and had lived in this neighborhood for about 3 months prior (I spend 1/2 of my 5th year at College Place, and before that I was in the Philippines, and before that…well, that’s a post for another day). I didn’t know any kids from the other schools, and barely the kids at mine. When I went to Junior High, the general feeling was one of anxiety, though my vagabond childhood and left me with great adaptive skills.

So, last Thursday, I’m walking through the quite different halls of the same institution. Rebuilt just a few years ago (the first class of the new building is still in highschool, I believe), it’s a bright and delightful space. The design reminds me very much of the buildings on the Microsoft campus. And the staff I interacted with were wonderful. For me, though, the best part, BEST part was the community. My son’s world will intersect wonderfully at this school. Friends from so many different programs, places we’ve lived, communities we love all feed into this one place. One very deliberate thing I wanted my son to have, growing up, was a deep sense of place, of community. It delights me, then, that this is exactly what I saw.

He had a great time, and so did I. Any lingering anxieties about all of this have been put to rest. Dare I say it, but I’m actually looking forward to these next few years. The programs and staff come across as ready to coach my boy these next steps. I couldn’t be more pleased.

July 1st Bringing Significant New School Snack Standards

Carl Setzer

 

Just got this via email from the Edmonds School District. There are some pretty big changes a-coming, so I’ll share in full for your edification.

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New Federal “Smart Snacks in School” Will Impact Vending, Fundraising

Effective July 1, food sold to students will be under new, restrictive nutritional requirements

The District must comply with new federal USDA nutrition regulations regarding food and beverages sold on campus to students during the school day. Called “Smart Snacks in School,” students will see new food and drinks in vending machines, student stores and school meal a lá carte lines. Additionally, food-based fundraisers must comply with these new federal requirements frommidnight until 30 minutes after a school’s scheduled end time.

Regulations require foods sold to be low in calories, sugar and salt with more focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. The new regulations will take effect July 1.

Board Director Gary Noble asked what vending machine companies are doing to supply school districts statewide. Stewart Mhyre, Executive Director of Business and Operations, said vending machine companies “are scrambling” to come up with appropriate packaging for new products.

Board President Diana White expressed concerns about the financial impact to Associated Student Body (ASB) groups.

Mhyre said there are two large financial concerns related to this change. As much as $150,000 in a lá carte sales in the school meals program could be lost, which represents 3 percent of the food services overall revenue. The program already operates on slim margins, Mhyre said. Additionally, he added, ASB leaders worry they could lose as much as half the revenue they currently earn from items sold in vending machines.

 

Edmonds School District Superintendent Round Table : September 18

Carl Setzer

Join the Superintendent’s Roundtable – and a special request!!!!

On Wednesday of this week, we have our first Superintendent Roundtable.  After welcome and introductions, we will invite participants to share topics and areas of interest for this year’s programs.

In addition to this, Dr. Nick Brossoit has a special request for those who can attend the meeting.  There is a possibility of adding a Capital and Construction Bond measure to the February 2014 election, in addition to the Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy.  Dr. Brossoit would like to review this information with those who can attend and gather your thoughts and input in preparation for a series of public input session he will host on this same topic later this month.  If you can make space on your busy schedule; please attend.

“Our District , like most in the region, will be challenged with space needs within two years as we reduce class size in grades 1-3 and add full-day kindergarten,” Dr. Brossoit said. “We also need to address our highest priority facility needs that are currently backlogged, as well as safety improvements on all our campuses.”

 The Superintendent’s Roundtable is tomorrow, Sept. 18 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood 98036.  Feel free to bring your lunch and we hope to see you there. We will also discuss topics for upcoming Roundtable conversations for the 2013-14 school year.

– from the Edmonds School District Website