Aberdeen Schools
Helping you stay informed about our district.
Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- August 9, 2019
2019-2020 Calendar is at the Printer
Please watch for it and keep it handy in your home. It contains many important dates about upcoming events, as well as important information about the laws and regulations schools must follow to ensure students are safe and successful.
Also In This issue:
- Kindergarten Registration Needed ASAP
- Breakfast After the Bell
- New Stevens School Update
- Miller Modular for 6th Grade Update
- Summary of the August 6 School Board Meeting
- Elementary Open Houses
- Upcoming Events
Attention Kindergarten Families: Register ASAP
Parents and guardians in the Aberdeen School District are urged to register their students as soon as possible to assist the district in meeting the new K-3 class size requirements and so the district can avoid costly penalties.
The decision to move the sixth grade to Miller Junior High School created additional classroom space at the grade schools. Additional K-3 classrooms have been added based on projections. The goal is to achieve a district average of 17 or fewer students per teacher. If the district does not reach that goal it could lose more than $700,000 in basic education funding.
Every year, hundreds of parents register their students right before the start of the new school year.
Assigning students throughout the district to achieve the new average is a complicated puzzle and the district wants to ensure that teachers and resources are allocated where needed.
If you have a kindergartner who is not yet registered, please contact your neighborhood school today to help us ensure that your first choice for school can be accommodated.
- McDermoth Elementary School Principal Bryan McKinney, (360) 538-2120, bmckinney@asd5.org
- A.J. West Elementary School Principal John Meers, (360) 538-2130, jmeers@asd5.org
- Robert Gray Elementary School Principal Jamie Dunn, (360) 538-2140, jdunn@asd5.org
- Stevens Elementary School Principal Arnie Lewis, (360) 538-2150, alewis@asd5.org
- Central Park Elementary School Principal John Crabb, (360) 538-2170, jcrabb@asd5.org
All elementary school offices are open as of Thursday, August 14.
Breakfast for All Students
The Aberdeen School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. Due to the high number of students who qualify, our District is eligible to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge.
Beginning this year, students no longer have to show up early in order to eat. Every student will be offered breakfast when they arrive. Students are not required to select a breakfast, but the District is required to make it available.
We are committed to increasing participation at breakfast and offering all students the option of starting their day with the fuel they need to be ready to learn. In order to maintain eligibility for the program, and to help our students qualify for other programs that use Free and Reduced Lunch information, families should complete the Free & Reduced Meal forms. Free and reduced eligibility and family information provided to the program is completely confidential.
Visit the Food Service page on the website for more information about these programs.
Miller 6th Grade Modular Construction Update
This week has been productive at the construction site. Maintenance Manager Mike Pauley reports that the Rognlin's crew has stripped the forms from the grade beams and started to place the forms for the stem walls. We are progressing forward to our October move-in deadline. In the coming week, we should see the concrete poured for the stem walls, foundation drains being placed, and some additional grade work on the site.
If all goes according to plan, Mr. Pauley reports the site should be ready for the modular to be moved onto the site in the first part of September.
The District is contuing to post weekly updates about the project on the website. For more pictures, visit the Miller Construction Page.
Recap of the School Board meeting on August 6
Access the full agenda for August 6, 2019
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney and Erin Farrer. along with Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 21 patrons and staff.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the regular meeting on July 23, 2019, and minutes of the special meeting on July 30, 2019.
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Superintendent's Report
Budget Update:
Superintendent Henderson announced that the next meeting of the Board on August 20 will include a public hearing on the budget with adoption of the budget scheduled for later in the meeting. She said there is no new information and no changes from the information presented during the work study on July 30. Information about the hearing and budget is available on the District web site.
View the Overview of the Proposed 2019-2020 Budget
New Stevens School Update:
Superintendent Henderson announced that Kris Koski, Aberdeen’s city engineer and a member of the district’s Budget Advisory Committee, has agreed to serve as chairman of the committee that will work to pass a bond to build a new Stevens Elementary School.
She also noted that she has invited members of the Stevens Task Force to reconvene as an advisory body to the bond campaign, and that bond counsel will make a presentation at the next School Board meeting. At this time, she said she will be recommending that the Board schedule a February 2020 election.
Additional business by the Board:
New School Bus:
The Board approved the purchase of a new, 78-passenger Thomas bus in the amount of $146,228.78. By placing the order now, the district receives 2019 pricing. The bus will be delivered next spring. The new bus will replace a 1999 Thomas bus with more than 253,000 miles. The old bus will be scrapped according to state Department of Ecology specifications, making the district eligible for a $35,000 reimbursement to be placed back into the Transportation Vehicle Fund.
2019-2020 Swim Program:
The Board approved a contract with the YMCA of Grays Harbor in the amount of $86,204.80 to provide elementary swim lessons and use of the facility for therapy and the high school swim teams.
Special Education Contract:
The Board approved a contract with BHC Fairfax Hospital to provide special education for a student through the Northwest School of Innovative Learning in Tumwater in the amount of $5,654.37 tuition per month.
Grays Harbor Rehabilitation Services:
The Board approved a contract with Grays Harbor Community Hospital to provide physical therapy and other services when called for in student education plans.
Personnel Matters:
The Board approved the Personnel Report.
Next Meeting:
The next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Adoption of the 2019-2020 budget will be on the agenda following the public hearing.
Open Houses
Monday, August 26
- Central Park Elementary School, 601 School Road -- 6 p.m.
- Stevens Elementary School, 301 South Farragut -- 6 p.m.
- Miller Junior High School Family Night, 100 E. Lindstrom St. -- 5:30 p.m.
- A.J. West Elementary School, 1801 Bay Avenue -- 6 p.m.
- McDermoth Elementary School, 409 North K Street -- 6 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4
- Robert Gray Elementary School, 1516 North B St. -- 6 p.m.
Additional Upcoming Events
Monday, September 2
- Labor Day Holiday / No School
Tuesday, September 3
- First Day of Preschool
- School Board 5 p.m.
Aberdeen School District No. 5
Email: districtnews@asd5.org
Website: www.asd5.org
Location: 216 North G St.
Phone: (360) 538-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenSchoolDistrict5/