Seattle Press
Community Log & News Digest
Education
SP to Carry Mauna Loa Carbon Count
The Seattle Press has begun carrying the carbon count history of Earth as measured at Mauna Loa volcano on the island of Hawaii. The report echoes the monthly graph of CO2 levels there.

The ML measurement, due to its remoteness, is considered by by atmospheric scientists to be a good index of global concentrations that are thought to be the principal factor in global warming of the atmosphere.

From 1958 to 2019 the levels have steadily increased at rates not seen for millions of years.

http:/ / seattlepress.com/ home.html#SM_comp_43706

Hydroponic Garden Training at Tacoma Urban League
The Atrium @ Tacoma Urban League is alive and well. A variety of hydroponic technologies yield a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables - all year round.

"From Seed To Table" is a three-hour workshop presented by Garden of Eden Urban Farming in cooperation with Maxine Mimms Academies with just the right mix of knowledge and hands-on learning to prepare you for growing your favorite herbs, fruits and vegetables at home.

Give yourself a special gift - the freshest basil, lettuce, collards, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, swiss chard, and over 100 other varieties of produce.

We call what we grow "Better Than Organic" - no pesticides, no herbicides, GMOs, or other preservatives to get between you and healthy, nutritious taste.

The workshop is ($495) and includes professional training and your very own hydroponic system for your home. Space is limited and full payment is required by December 6th to insure your equipment is available the day of the workshop.
Humane Society seeks student volunteers
The Humane Teen Club is for teens ages 13 to 17 who are interested in learning about animal welfare and becoming volunteers at the Seattle Humane Society before they turn 18. Members are chosen at the end of summer and the program runs throughout the school year.

The Humane Teen Club meets two Saturdays each month from October to June and teens learn about Seattle Humane and receive training to prepare them to volunteer at the shelter. Space is limited to 20 members based on the strength of their application essays.

Location: Seattle Humane Society
13212 SE Eastgate Way
Bellevue, WA 98005
Sponsor: Seattle Humane Society
Contact: Megan, marketing@seattlehumane.org, 425-641-0080

Info & Application

French University, State of WA Expand Relations
The Academy of Nantes and the Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction of Washington State will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Olympia on Tuesday, April 27.

This agreement will celebrate a new step in the connection between the educational systems of both regions. The cities of Nantes and Seattle have been working for a long time on signing such a memorandum. These two regions have in common numerous concerns: the environment, high technology, and expanding international exchanges.

Thanks’ to these common projects; this MOU will allow to develop numerous partnerships between schools, and to support the learning of French language in Washington State.
Family Involvement in Education in WA
Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed October 2008 as "Family Involvement in Education Month" in the state of Washington. The proclamation recognizes that:
  • parents and family members are their child's first and most influential teacher;
  • family involvement in a child's learning is critical to success in school and life;
  • the role of families in supporting the success of Washington students from pre-school through college cannot be overstated;
  • family involvement, which requires a vision, policy and framework, is a legitimate element of the education system;
  • when schools, partners, and communities work together as partners, our children benefit.

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More Information

Board Chooses Goodloe-Johnson for Superintendent
At a special meeting on Thursday, April 12, the Seattle School Board voted 6-0 to offer the position of Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools to Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson. During a news conference following the board meeting, Director Chow announced that Dr. Goodloe-Johnson has accepted the position, subject to final contract details being agreed.

“We are delighted to attract such a high-caliber superintendent to Seattle,” said Board President Cheryl Chow. “Dr. Goodloe-Johnson’s strengths and leadership skills became crystal clear as we saw her in action here in Seattle. Our appreciation for her skills as an educator, a leader, and as a person was only deepened during our visit to Charleston.”

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Too-cool!
The Flash movie linked below takes the viewer from the infinite to the infinitessimal in an excursion from the margins of the universe to the limits of our knowledge of elementary particles. Worth the trip!

Produced by Nikon Corp. (apparently before the demotion of Pluto to mere asteroid), this is what a corporation at its best can do, supporting growth of our understanding of our world. One suspects that the effort didn't dent Nikon's bottom line while being, well, too cool.

View the Program

Voters approve bond, levy proposals in Feb. 6 special election
On Feb. 6, the citizens of Seattle approved two funding measures – Proposition 1, a six-year, $490 million capital bond and Proposition 2, a three-year, $397 million educational programs levy. Both received the more than 60 percent “supermajority” of yes votes required for approval.

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WA Consumer Protection Week in February
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has teamed up with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to sponsor several events in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 4-10).

Story

Bond, levy on Feb. 6 ballot
King County Elections has scheduled two Seattle School District ballot measures for the Feb. 6, 2007, special election – Proposition 1, a $490 million Capital Program Bond, and Proposition 2, a $397 million Educational Programs and Operations Levy.

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More Info...

Cosgrove Prize to Promote Financial Ethics Research
A major new international prize to promote awareness among young people in banking and related industries of the need for respect for ethics has been launched in Geneva.

The Robin Cosgrove Prize will award $20,000 each year in prize money for creative papers setting out projects or proposals for innovative ways to promote ethics in finance and banking.

The prize will be open to young people throughout the world aged 35 or under. Entries from emerging markets are especially welcome.

More information...

Seattle District Adds School Histories to Web Site
From a district press release...

New Web site link features history of each school building

Seattle Public Schools has added a new feature on its Web site in which visitors can read about the history of each school building. The information is taken from the book, Building for Learning – Seattle Public Schools Histories, 1862-2000, by Nile Thompson and Carolyn Marr.

(Ed.: As part of its continuing modernization effort, the content take a "leap into the future" by using the 1990s technique of individual PDF files. Go figure.)

Visit the Histories

Tavis Smiley Addresses Teens at Franklin HS
Tavis Smiley, author and award-winning PBS talk-show host, spoke to about 50 Franklin High School students this week as part of his 10-city tour to enlighten, encourage and empower students to become strong leaders.

The visit by the 2006 Talented Tenth Tour, organized by the Tavis Smiley Foundation, was held on October 11 at Franklin High. The tour was created to identify and train non-traditional leaders in underserved and underrepresented communities. Its goal is to help students develop the skills needed to become powerful leaders in their school, community and the world.

The students were chosen based on several criteria, including demonstrated leadership potential and a passion for an issue or cause.

As partners of the tour, representatives from the ExxonMobil Foundation were there to encourage careers in science, technology, engineering and math -– areas vastly underrepresented by African-American students. The ExxonMobil Foundation awarded Franklin a $500 grant to enhance work in those areas.
Math Curriculum Subject of Oct. 16 Discussion at Roosevelt HS
Dr. Ruth Parker, a National Science Foundation supported researcher and CEO of Mathematics Education Collaborative, will lead a discussion October 16 at Roosevelt High School on critical changes needed in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Dr. Parker specializes in engaging community leadership in support for high quality mathematics in public schools. Her expertise in mathematics will help to both raise the bar and bring consistency and alignment to Seattle Public Schools’ K-12 math curricula.

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