In this issue:
Superintendent's message
Tahoma teams continue planning for reopening
New deans for Lake Wilderness, Shadow Lake
News briefs
Coming up in Bear Country
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Dear Tahoma community,
Today, on the final day of this whirlwind of a school year, I am feeling so many things -- but most of all, I feel thankful. I’m grateful for our students and families, who have shown patience, strength and heart during these past few months.
I’m inspired by our teachers, staff and administrators who quickly adapted to remote learning while still finding ways to support and encourage our students. Together, our students, families and staff have truly shown what it means to be Tahoma.
I’m humbled to have the opportunity to work alongside all of you as we maintain and build upon the wonderful aspects of our school district and also improve areas that need work. One of the biggest areas of focus for us will be around equity. As we shared recently, we are committed to creating an equitable school system by striving to eliminate racism and injustice. We’ll be sharing updates about our equity goals and progress regularly.
While our students are now enjoying their summer, we still have a significant “to-do” list before us as a system in the coming weeks. Our four reopening work teams are researching and planning how we can meet the guidelines issued by the state superintendent and health officials. I appreciate every student, staff member and parent serving on those teams. We will have opportunities for feedback later this summer on potential plans, and will announce the framework of our reopening plan in July.
We will be in steady communication about our progress, so please stay tuned for updates -- and, as always, feel free to reach out to me, to the School Board, or to your child’s principal if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mike Hanson
Incoming Superintendent
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Tahoma teams continue planning for reopening
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Editor’s Note: This will be the final issue of Tahoma Matters for the 2019-2020 school year. However, we anticipate being in regular contact with you over the coming weeks as our staff (and the students and parents who are assisting) continue to create a plan for reopening in the fall. Along with other districts, we have requested clarification from state officials on some portions of the guidance document that OSPI issued last week. Pieces of our work depend on those answers.
For months, students, families, teachers and staff have been patient and understanding, and have worked diligently together to continue student learning under challenging remote learning conditions. In recent weeks, the next big question has been “What will school look like in the fall?” While we aren’t ready to fully answer that question yet, our four work groups continue to meet, plan and make progress toward the fall reopening framework that we anticipate sharing with families and the Tahoma community in July.
Last week, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, issued guidelines for reopening school in the fall. While Reykdal said that he expects school to open in person for all students in September if the health department guidelines can be met, the reality for Tahoma and most other districts across the state is that some of the health mandates will likely make it impossible to bring back all students at once. For example, in the classroom, students and staff will need to be six feet apart, which is not workable at full capacity in many classrooms. Principals and their staff members are working on measuring classrooms in a way that is consistent across the district.
Some of the guidelines introduced unanswered questions, so we have requested clarification around those items.
In general, the health and safety recommendations call for layers of protection for students and staff members, including:
- Students and staff who are sick must stay home. Health checks will be conducted.
- Cloth face masks (public health officials attending a recent superintendents meeting said face shields will not be a direct substitute for masks). Exceptions for certain students and staff are included in the guidelines.
- Physical distancing of six feet must be followed “as much as possible,” but certainly in classrooms.
- Students and staff will practice good handwashing and hygiene practices.
- Continuing thorough, consistent cleaning practices designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- Keeping student groups/cohorts together when possible; mixing classes will be kept to a minimum.
Many questions remain around how to meet guidelines when transporting students via bus, and how to meet the calendar requirements of 180 days and 1,027 hours.
The work teams include a variety of district staff and administrators, parents, and students.
Our work teams include:
- Operations (Safety): The operations team is currently gathering data, and working to plan safety measures based on the guidelines and specific to Tahoma’s needs. We have shared in prior newsletters about improvements that are being implemented, such as the purchase of electrostatic disinfectant sprayers and the installation of plexiglass at front desk and similar areas throughout the district. This group is also planning for any changes needed on buses and in cleaning routines.
- Mental health and wellness: This team has identified the need for connectedness, from student to student, student to adult, and adult to adult throughout the system. They are focused in four primary areas: Transitions (such as incoming kindergartners, fifth to sixth grade and eighth to ninth grade); Professional Development (training for staff to be prepared to meet the social-emotional needs and academic needs of students, training on self-care and trauma-informed practices, and training to support mental health and behavioral needs); Diagnostic Screening for a broad-brush, universal screening of social emotional, academic and family needs (and ensure the results from the screener are acted upon to meet student needs); Classroom Management, Supports and Discipline.
- Human Resources: COVID-19 presents many challenges that affect Human Resources, including being able to fully staff Transportation and other departments, adding the “flexibility” to the school year calendar that OSPI requested, and more.
- Teaching and Learning/ Continuous Learning: This team has a group of nearly 80 considering schedule options. Participants are discussing how to modify curriculum and teaching practices that are affected by physical changes in classrooms and other adjustments designed to limit spread of COVID-19. The parent/guardian survey sent out on Wednesday evening will help inform this work. For more information on the survey, see related news brief below.
Most health officials believe that a second wave of COVID-19 infections will occur in the fall, so the recommendations also ask districts to be prepared to pivot back to 100 percent remote learning quickly. Some of our staff are spending the summer creating a “Remote Learning 2.0” framework to improve upon what we offered during emergency remote learning this spring.
In addition, separate work is occurring to examine the possibility of some form of continuous online learning for families that do not have an interest in sending their students back to school in person. Some other districts are interested in partnering to share the creation of a system like this.
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New deans hired for Lake Wilderness, Shadow Lake
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When school begins in the fall, Lake Wilderness Elementary and Shadow Lake Elementary will each welcome a new dean of students. Amanda Blashaw will join new Lake Wilderness Principal Melanie Ready, and David Aaby will team up with new Shadow Lake Principal Scott Mitchell.
Blashaw comes to the Wildcat team from the Issaquah School District, where she has been working as a social emotional coach on the counseling team. Aaby has taught fifth grade at Rock Creek for the past 15 years, and has also served as the president of the Tahoma Education Association.
Ready, who will begin as LWES Principal July 1, said she loved the way that Blashaw spoke thoroughly about her core “pillars” -- relationships, equity, and student-focused lens. “I have already worked with her to see these core values at work. Her experience with positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) along with her welcoming, collaborative personality will be a positive match for the values at LWES,” Ready added. “Amanda is eager to work alongside staff in support of students and families and I'm looking forward to our partnership!”
Blashaw said that she first knew she wanted to be a teacher in kindergarten when her family’s home was broken into and her older brother’s teacher brought flowers and offered support to the family. “That’s when I realized teachers are more than ABC’s – they are important members of the community. I experienced first-hand how her kindness beyond the classroom inspired me to strive both as a human and academically, and that’s what I hope to do for all of my students as well,” she said.
Blashaw has spent the past few years as a PBSES (Positive Behavior Social Emotional Support) Coach, focusing on coaching teachers in classroom management, strengthening Social Emotional Learning, designing whole-school positive/proactive systems, and building teams/interventions for students with both behavior and academic goals. “Seeing that different picture of how systems, family/community partnership, professional development, and resources are designed and allocated really motivates me as an advocate for students and all staff,” she added.
In addition to being the Dean of Students at Lake Wilderness, Blashaw is attending the University of Washington as part of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program to earn her Administrative Certification, so she will also be an administrative intern at Lake Wilderness this year.
She and her husband and their two golden retrievers moved to this community several years ago largely because of Tahoma. “I’m so honored and excited to serve the incredible community where I live, and Tahoma’s small-district feel with exceptional goals and systems is exactly where I want to be.”
Blashaw emphasized that she sees building positive relationships as the key to other priorities such as clear communication, support of all learners and building student and staff ownership of culture. “I love the ‘Choose Kind’ motto because it can be infused into everything we do as Wildcats. I’m looking forward to continuing to support Lake Wilderness in exploring how kindness can elevate and welcome every person who walks through our doors.”
Lake Wilderness families should know that her door is open, she said, and that she looks forward to hearing their feedback and partnering with them.
In addition to caring for their two dogs and one very fluffy cat, she enjoys running the Lake Wilderness Trail, gardening and working on house projects. The Blashaws are “huge” Seahawks fans, and also enjoy supporting the Sounders, Mariners and other Northwest teams.
She asked that we share this message, to Lake Wilderness students: “I can’t wait to meet you! Find me when school opens, and tell me your name and something I should know about you. I feel so grateful to be your new dean, and I’m looking forward to helping you make Lake Wilderness be a place where all students can say they are proud to be a Wildcat.”
David Aaby becomes a Tiger
Mitchell said that Aaby’s enthusiasm for working with students and adults will be a great addition to the Shadow Lake staff. “We are excited for David to bring his strong leadership experience to Shadow Lake along with a kid centered approach to climate and culture that will bring a new level of student engagement to all that we do at Shadow Lake.”
“David brings a positive attitude with a kid-centered focus, while also having a deep desire to dig in to the work that is in front of him to be a team player in all aspects of the school,” he said. “His years of experience in team building, conflict resolution and problem solving will be an asset to our classified staff.”
Aaby said he has loved his time at Rock Creek Elementary so much that there were very few opportunities that could have pulled him away. The chance to work with longtime colleague and friend Scott Mitchell at Shadow Lake fit the bill.
“Since the transition, Shadow Lake has been the school that I’ve been most excited about. There’s just a vibe at Shadow Lake that is almost contagious. From the time you enter the office, to walking around the campus, the Tiger pride is very evident,” Aaby said. “I know that comes from the top and what Mike (Hanson) and Scott had started here, and it’s something that I wanted to be a part of -- I’m really excited about the overall school climate and culture.”
Throughout the years, Aaby and Mitchell have both played significant roles in the planning for Camp Casey. Memories of Camp and the role it serves for students are something that will really stick with him, Aaby said. He’s also very proud of helping start the Rock Creek Network News (RCNN) program 14 years ago, and for the student council structure that he has helped create at Rock Creek.
In addition to his dedication to Rock Creek, Aaby said that he loves Tahoma for its “family atmosphere.”
“I think our focus on teaching and learning and our collaborative relationship with the district office and leadership in buildings and teachers and staff -- truly it’s a student-first atmosphere. I truly believe that we put students in the center of the decisions that we make,” Aaby said.
While he has loved working with up to 90 fifth-graders per year at Rock Creek, he said he’s excited to have a whole school full of students to support.
“I am excited about developing relationships with students and learning more about them and helping them grow as learners, as citizens -- and as really the future. The relationship aspect with kids is really the most important aspect of the job for me.”
Aaby and his wife live in Enumclaw with their three children. Outside of work, he enjoys camping with his family and dirt bike riding. His favorite food is steak. He enjoys rooting for the Seahawks. And, although his favorite book to read aloud to kids is “Where the Red Fern Grows,” he had a tradition of always beginning and ending each school year by reading aloud “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”
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Amanda Blashaw, left, with her husband and their two golden retrievers.
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David Aaby, at right, during a Rock Creek Elementary spirit assembly.
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TSD remote counseling service ends for school year
Shortly after school buildings were closed in March, the district launched a remote counseling support service for students, reached via the email address TSDCounseling@tahomasd.us. This service ended with the school year; however, we want to provide our students and families with a list of resources.
To find the list of resources,
visit this website and scroll down to resources such as Mental Health Supports, Social Emotional Supports, resources for Anti-Racism, links to information about how to talk with children about COVID-19 and more.
Reminder: parent/guardian survey is live
Tahoma parents and guardians, we want to hear from you. You should have received a survey asking for input that will help us design possible reopening scenarios.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. If you missed it in your inbox, search for “
TahomaUpdates@tahomasd.us” and check in your junk/spam folder. Any current parent or guardian who did not receive the survey may email the above address and request assistance.
The survey went out to parents and guardians shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. Incoming kindergarten families received the survey Thursday morning.
Surveys for students and staff are under development.
Juneteenth celebrated today
June 19 marks the annual Juneteenth celebration, which recognizes the date in 1865 when slavery ended in the United States. Though it came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the date is significant because it marks the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas two months after the Civil War ended to enforce the president’s order.
Or read about regional events in the Seattle Times:
Tahoma needs bus drivers!
We’re hiring substitute bus drivers. Before COVID-19, Tahoma was already in need of additional school bus drivers. That need remains, and we are concerned about being able to adequately staff the Transportation Department this fall.
New hires can get paid to train; licensed school bus drivers may earn $1,500 stipend -- ask us for details!
The Tahoma School Board and Public School Employees of Tahoma recently approved a new contract for classified employees, which includes a wage increase for school bus drivers. Sub drivers will make $25.85 and regular drivers will make $28.72 or more per hour under the new contract beginning Sept. 1.
If you are not interested but know someone who would make an excellent school bus driver, please share this information.
High school yearbooks arriving soon by mail
We have received a number of questions from students and parents about the Tahoma High School yearbooks, which are being sent to student addresses on file in Skyward.
The yearbooks were mailed Monday and Tuesday from the vendor in Missouri and are expected to take up to a week to arrive.
There are a limited number of 2020 yearbooks available for purchase. Yearbooks are $65 and can be purchased in person between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25 at the cashier's office at Tahoma High School. Please follow social distancing protocols when visiting the high school.
District meal program ending, other assistance available
The last day of the current Tahoma free meal distribution was today, June 19.
Families in need of continued food assistance are invited to apply for Pandemic EBT to help pay for groceries while schools are closed. Those who are eligible include students who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, and immigrant households.
Families that are eligible will receive up to $399 per child, depending on when they applied.
If families are in need of assistance now but hadn’t been receiving free/reduced price meals before schools closed in March,
they may apply now and then will be able to apply for the Pandemic EBT.
To apply for Pandemic EBT after June 30, visit WashingtonConnection.org or call 877-501-2233.
If you need food assistance in the meantime, please contact the Maple Valley Food Bank & Emergency Services at
maplevalleyfoodbank.org or (425) 432-8633. Backpack Buddies also provides food to Tahoma families in need; more information is available at
backpackbuddiesofmaplevalley.org.
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School Board discusses budget process
The Tahoma School Board and administrators are working on the budget for the 2020-2021 school year. During a virtual work-study session Tuesday, the board heard an update from Interim Superintendent Mike Maryanski and Finance Director Lori Cloud about the preliminary budget. Maryanski gave the board members a broad overview of the status, including revenue parameters, impacts due to negotiated agreements, class size, the Educational Programs and Operations Levy, a reorganization of the Central Services Center and COVID-19.
The directors are recommending that the board consider using fund balance to cover some projected expenditures.
Administrators and the board will continue to work on the budget throughout the summer, with a further meetings and a public hearing about the budget before voting on the document.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board heard an update on reopening planning and the board members gave reports.
Tahoma schools recognized for sustainability
Each year, King County recognizes schools that work to reduce waste, increase recycling, conserve energy and water and cut costs through the King County Green Schools Program, which is led by the Solid Waste Division. This spring, the program selected 40 schools to highlight, including four Tahoma buildings.
Rock Creek Elementary School, Shadow Lake Elementary School, Maple View Middle School and Summit Trail Middle School were listed as Sustaining Green Schools for maintaining prior accomplishments and completing an additional conservation action or educational strategy.
The Green Schools effort began with three schools in 2002 and now includes 320 schools, where more than 196,000 students have had the opportunity to learn about conservation methods. To learn more about the program, click here.
Tahoma High School band teacher honored
Tahoma High School’s band instructor is among the quarterfinalists in the 2021 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum.
Matt Cole is one of 216 music teachers in the United States who are in the running for the award. Semifinalists will be announced in September. According to a news release from the Recording Academy, the award recognizes current educators -- kindergarten through college, public and private schools -- who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
Tahoma High School rated among state’s top high schools
The rankings are based on percentages of these factors:
- College readiness, as measured by the proportions of seniors who took and passed at least one AP class. (30%)
- Math and reading proficiency, calculated from aggregated assessment scores required for graduation. (20%)
- Math and reading performance, aggregated from state assessment scores compared to U.S. News’s expectations. (20%)
- Underserved student performance, aggregated from state assessment scores among students who are black, Hispanic and from low-income households. (20%)
- College curriculum breadth, which lists proportions of seniors who took and passed AP exams in multiple areas. (10%)
- Graduation rate, which measures the proportion of entering 9th graders who graduate four academic years later. (10%)
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New goodbye traditions observed
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Rock Creek paraeducator Louise McProud and other staff members waved goodbye to fifth-grade students in the rain earlier this week.
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Today was a different last day of school from all the others we are used to experiencing. Instead of hugs and high fives, there were signs, waving from car parades and goodbyes via Zoom.
Teachers and staff throughout the district said goodbye for the summer to students and families, in new and different methods.
We have certainly never had a year like this one, and we could not have made it through the past few months without the hard work and dedication of our students and staff, and the support of our Tahoma community.
While summer is now in session, learning never stops! Please have a fun, safe time together and learn new things through reading, exploring, playing and imagining.
As always, it's a great day to be a Bear -- or a Golden Bear, Grizzly, Cub, Tiger, Eagle, Wildcat, Polar Bear, or Otter!
We miss you already!
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Preschool families at Lake Wilderness Elementary drove through to pick up supplies and say goodbye to teachers and staff earlier this week.
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Cedar River Elementary honored their fifth grade students with photos posted in a drive-through loop along the bus lane. Families were able to drive past the photos and also wave goodbye to teachers and staff members.
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COMING UP IN BEAR COUNTRY
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FRIDAY, June 19
Juneteenth: Please see news brief above.
Last day of school for the 2019-2020 school year
TUESDAY, June 23
School Board meeting, via audio Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Members of the public may request a link to the meeting by emailing Kevin Patterson at
kpatters@tahomasd.us
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The Tahoma School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
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Title IX Officer
Director of Human Resources
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
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ADA Coordinator
Director of Human Resources
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
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Section 504 Coordinator
Director of Special Services
25720 Maple Valley Highway
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-413-3400
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25720 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd. S.E., Maple Valley, WA 98038
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