Coming Events:

• Alki PTSA look forward to 2010-2011: HOWLINGS Special 5th Grade Edition

• * * Join Environmental Club * *

   

  * * 2010-2011 Supply List * *

  * * Business Practice Change: A $15.00 Fee will be charged for returned checks.* *

   

  * *Parents and Students: Be aware of Items not allowed on Buses * *

  FREE COLLEGE!!!!!
  (for those who Qualify)

  Calling all 7th and 8th students! The College Bound Scholarship will pay for up to 4 years of college tuition and fees for students who meet ONE of the following requirements:
  1) Eligible for free/reduced price lunch or
  2) Are a foster youth or
  3) Receive TANF benefits or
  4) Family meets the income standards as described on the application

  Pick up a College Bound application in the office or ask your counselor. Applications are being collected now so don't delay! Questions? Call 313-3200 or go to
  www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound

   

  What to do if you feel sick: Chart from the Health Department.

  Vaccine Info: Clark County Health Department

   

GO GREEN - Recycle: We can now dispose of used batteries along with recycling cell phones and ink cartridges. Just drop those items off at the front office. Thanks for your continuing support!

Principally Speaking:

August 2010

Dear Parents,

Welcome to another school year. I hope that you and your family had a great summer break and are ready to re-engage in school. In preparing for the year my staff has been busy participating in a variety of trainings and working behind the scenes scheduling, cleaning and planning for September 8th, the first day of school.

A few important changes that will be occurring at Alki this year are an alternative schedule for 6th grade and Honors English & Social Studies in 8th Grade. In 6th grade students will have an English/Social Studies Block and a Math Block. These block classes will be approximately 80 minutes. By extending the learning time through block scheduling, teachers will be able to go deeper with instruction to ensure a solid understanding of the concepts and skills taught. Additionally, we have built flexibility into the schedule to have approximately 30 minutes at the end of each day for teachers to teach “Student Success Skills” and deliver real-time support for students needing additional instruction/intervention support.

Honors English and Social Studies will be in place as we start the new school year. This year we have two sections (Blocks) of Honors in 8th grade. Students were selected for these classes based on WASL scores, MAP scores, grades and teacher recommendation. In the 2011-2012 school year we will be adding Honors English and Social Studies to 7th grade. Having Honors available to our students is a great option, however I am very proud to say that all of our classes are rigorous and challenge students to be the strongest students they can be.

In working to best support our students we are very excited to be continuing the work of Professional Learning Communities. Professional Learning Communities are not "just a meeting", but rather a way of working together as professionals to improve our work.  As teams, teachers collaborate around four essential questions:
1. What do we expect students to learn?
2. How will we know when they have learned it?
3. How will we respond when they don’t learn?
4. How will we respond if they already know it?
By collaborating around these questions teachers work collectively to support each learner.

Once again, welcome to a new school year. We are excited to be back and can’t wait for the first day of school.

Warm Regards,

Curtis Smith