January 2006

As a graduation requirement, students at West Seattle High School must complete a senior project. This process includes a presentation about the project in front of several judges and staff. If you are a good listener and are free on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., you are invited to join in. Please e-mail mplemcio@seattleschools.org to volunteer, or contact the West Seattle High School office at 252-8800.

A concerned citizen called 911 to report that three local children were home alone without food or adult supervision. An adult male and "a swarm of flies" greeted officers at the door. The man was reluctant to let officers in to check on the kids, possibly because of the trash, cat feces, and rat droppings all over the floor and the rotten food in the refrigerator. The children, ages 12, 9, and 3, showed officers their room.

With the Washington Legislature into the second week of its even-year 60 day session, one of the main topics is the test that must be passed to graduate, the WASL or Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

We have said before that one of the major problems with this test is that the schools have abandoned just about every subject that does not provide students with the knowledge they need to pass this test. Even then, thousands of high school students are doomed to fail this test.

New year, fresh starts. Though at first it feels like a sorrowful ending, Rachel's new life begins when she leaves Africa for England, former youngest child Scott is starting his first year of high school and discovers that his world will change even more now that his mom is pregnant, and a narrow field of choices widens once the girls of Mount Eskel have a chance to go to school.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Listening for Lions is an enchanting story in the tradition of The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.

Federal Way parents might wholeheartedly agree with Susan Kovalik when she asserts that the teenage brain operates differently than that of an adult.

Live-in caretaker looks to get paid

1. Police responded to a report about a woman who requires 24/7 care. The woman has a caretaker living with her at her residence at the 28600 block of 25th Place South. A complainant contacted the authorities and stated that the caretaker was trying to get paid for her care while living with the woman. The complainant wanted to make sure that APS and DSHS are aware of the situation.

Traffic stop leads to arrest

2.

On Friday, January 27, volunteers will be walking the streets of Federal Way to count the city's homeless.

In conjunction with the Seattle/King County Coalition for the Homeless One Night Count, Federal Way will conduct a street count from 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Community members are needed to help in this effort. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

"It is our hope that this count will create a baseline to help us better assess and meet the needs of the homeless in our city," said Community Development Director Kathy McClung.

Stars of the stage and screen are not the only ones to receive standing ovations.

Last week, a capacity crowd of 200 at the Twin Lakes Country Club rose to their feet before and after Federal Way School Superintendent Tom Murphy took to the podium to deliver his State of the District yearly address.

"In this sixth year of the new millennium, we are once again reminded that education is the single most powerful means to improve quality of life...education, in its essence, opens doors to personal freedom and the preservation of our democracy," said Murphy.

Touchi

To the editor:

I am the mother of a seven-year-old girl who eschews dolls in favor of bugs, and loves rocks and trees and dirt and all manners of anything flora or fauna. I tell you this because there is an important school bond that will be going before voters for approval on February 7th. The bond package includes an environmental sciences center that deserves special mention.

To the editor:

Once again, the local voters are presented with the opportunity to fund a bond for our public schools. When we approve this bond, we are able to provide the necessary capital to reward the efforts of the school district's stewardship of our public monies. We have a chance to make our local school system better; which will return dividends in property values and make Federal Way a better place to live.

School levies are difficult. Many voters reason that our county and federal taxes should be all the funding needed to enjoy adequate school systems.