Aberdeen Schools
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Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- October 19, 2019
Miller Student Wins Award for Great ShakeOut Video
Congratulations to Eric Lind, an eighth-grader at Miller Junior High School, for producing a prize-winning video in the statewide Great ShakeOut video contest. All Washington state youth were eligible to submit a one-minute video as part of promoting the annual ShakeOut, competing for cash prizes.
Students were asked to encourage earthquake preparedness with the message to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” and to reference the official website www.shakeout.org/washington
Eric received $250 for his prize-winning work, which was presented during an all-school assembly at Miller on Friday, October 18. Watch the video below.
Central Park School celebrates co-worker Cindy Trautman's life
Family, friends and co-workers were celebrating the life of Cindy Trautman today, October 19, in a gathering at Central Park Elementary School where she had worked as the cook since 2012.
Cynthia Marie Trautman passed away Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, after complications from a heart attack. She had been with the district since 2009, starting in the kitchen at Aberdeen High School.
At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by many family members and friends who loved her.
“Cindy had a great love for kids,” Jaime Matisons, the district’s food service manager, said. “You would constantly see her chatting with them as if she’d known them forever as they walked through her food line.”
Cindy always had a smile on her face and “because of the extra time and dedication that she put forth, Grandparent’s Day at Central Park each year was a huge success,” Mrs. Matisons added.
In her obituary, published in The Daily World on Thursday, October 17, her family wrote that “She loved her job, the staff she worked with and especially the kiddos.”
Cindy was born March 23, 1960, to Albert and Barbara Keen in Raymond. She grew up primarily in Hoquiam, where she graduated from high school in 1978 in the Top 10.
After more than 25 years and raising the four children Scott had when they became a couple, Cindy and Scott Trautman were married on December 30, 2018. Her family wrote that she loved being a grandma to all of their grandkids. She enjoyed scrapbooking baby books for them, making them Halloween costumes, thinking up crafts that they would enjoy, showing them how to garden, cook and bake, but mostly enjoyed going to their many sporting events with Scott to root them on. In addition, her family shared that she and Scott loved hiking, skiing, fishing, clam digging, photography adventures, traveling and creating memories wherever they went.
Cindy earned her associates in applied science degree from Grays Harbor College after the mill at Cosmopolis closed and then came to work for the Aberdeen School District.
“Her laugh was infectious and her sense of humor had you laughing right along with her,” Mrs. Matisons said. “She is deeply missed by her food service and school families.”
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in her name to the Central Park PTO or to the Harbor Homeless Backpack program, care of Central Park Elementary School, 601 School Road, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Miller 6th Grade Moves In
The 6th Grade began classes in the new modular building at Miller Junior High School on Monday, October 14. Thank you to all the staff who worked into the weekend to make sure everything was ready for students at the first bell.
Find More Pictures on the Miller Modular pageBusiness before the Board on October 14:
2019-10-15 Agenda and Meeting Materials (pdf)
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney, Bill Dyer and Erin Farrer, along with student representative Molly Scroggs, Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 63 patrons, staff and students.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the meeting on October 1;
- September payroll in the amount of $3,477,967.61;
- General Fund vouchers totaling $1,287,124.96, ASB Fund vouchers totaling $13,288.25, Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $604,539.95 and Private Purpose Trust Fund vouchers totaling $4,085.00;
- A trip request for the juniors and seniors in AVID to travel to Eastern Washington to visit colleges on October 21-23, staying overnight in Cheney at EWU, and
- Accepted a gift of $100 to the AHS Orchestra in memory Karen Meikle from the Ericksen Family of DeKalb, Ill.
Comments from Board members
- Director Bill Dyer expressed thanks to the district for supporting the memorial on Saturday for Karen Meikle.
- President Sandra Bielski thanked Erin Farrer for her years of service as a director.
Comments from Student Representative
Molly Scroggs gave the student representative’s report. She noted conferences are coming, there’s a dance group practicing for a flash mob later in October, and that Foodball starts in two weeks.
Comments from the Audience
- Ashley Kohlmeier, ASB advisor, presented information on the 39th Annual Foodball competition between the Aberdeen and Hoquiam student bodies. The kickoff is Friday, November 1.
- Donnajeanne Williams, representing the Class of 1969, presented a check in the amount of $2,345.10 to the AHS Band. She said the band’s performance at the 50th class reunion was fantastic, and that the class was happy to make a donation in support of the program.
In the photo below, Lucas Strom and Foster Patterson, accompanied by Band Director Dan Patterson, accept the donation from Mrs. Williams.
Superintendent's Report
Outdoor School: Superintendent Henderson reported that Outdoor School at Camp Bishop took place last week. She commented that it was the first time the 6th graders went as junior high school students and there were many reports of students who had a wonderful experience learning outdoors and getting to know each other as a class. She noted that the outdoor experience is further enjoyed by the high school students who serve as camp counselors and Outdoor School tutors. She thanked David Bruncke, AHS science teacher, for his organization and oversight of the outstanding program.
Facility Fee Waiver: Superintendent Henderson reported that the district had granted a waiver of the facility fee for the service for Karen Meikle and upcoming service for Cindy Trautman. She commented that the celebration of life for Miss Meikle on October 12 was exquisite, and that the memorial for Mrs. Trautman is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, Central Park Elementary School.
WSSDA Regional Meeting: Superintendent Henderson reminded board members that President Bielski and Directors Durney and Dyer are registered for the WSSDA Regional Meeting in Rochester on October 29.
Bond and Levy Update: Superintendent Henderson reported that she has been in discussions with the City of Aberdeen regarding a possible land swap that would enable the district to build a new Stevens Elementary School adjacent to the current school. This will mean students would not have to be relocated during the construction period. She reported that there are still details to work out, but the 40-year-lease on Garley Park, which the district owns but the city operates, is due to expire in 2020. The proposed trade involves property the city owns between the skate park and the school playground, she said.
The bond resolution announcing the district’s intent to place a ballot measure before voters on February 11, 2020, and setting the amount, will be presented for board approval at the November 5 meeting, the superintendent said. She noted that the district is working with local legislators to request additional capital funds for the new school.
Miller Modular Building: Superintendent Henderson reported that classes began on Monday, October 14, in the new building for 6th Grade at Miller Junior High School. The first day went extremely well, she said, and while a few details remain, such as the installation of the lockers, everyone is pleased to be settling in.
The superintendent’s “shout out” to Maintenance Manager Mike Pauley, was received with a spontaneous and enthusiastic round of applause.
Legislative Update: Superintendent Henderson reported that area superintendents will meet again next week to continue discussions about proposals to the Legislature for equitable funding for rural school districts.
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Fiscal Status Report
Superintendent Henderson presented the Fiscal Status Report for September. With the school year 8.33 percent elapsed, the district has received 6.26 percent of expected revenue and 9.03 percent of expenditures.
Resolution 2019-12 Replacement of Expiring Levy
The board voted to ask voters to approve a four-year replacement levy to continue at the current rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to support enrichment and extra-curricular activities in the district. Superintendent Henderson noted the request is for a four-year levy, instead of two, to provide voters with certainty about the tax rate at a time when the district will also be asking for funds to build a new school.
Director Dyer also noted that wanting voters to have the full picture is a key reason for the board’s decision to place both the bond and the levy requests before voters on February 11, and that the bond issue will be timed to have the least impact on the tax rate until the high school bonds are retired in three years.
AHS Trimester Update
Principal Sherri Northington presented a report on the trimester system, which is entering its fourth year at Aberdeen High School. AHS Teacher Jessie Winter assisted in a review of three years of attendance and assessment data. Ms. Northington reviewed results of a survey of staff, students and parents. While a majority of staff at the high school favor looking at another schedule, the data and survey overall do not present a clear picture, except for displeasure among staff, students and parents about gaps in student schedules. Ms. Northington reported that she is convening a task force to work on the issues that have been raised and to prepare a recommendation to the board for the 2021-2022 school year.
Special Education Contract – Soliant SLPA
The board approved a contract with Soliant Health to place Jennifer Lynn in the district as a speech language pathologist assistant.
Miller Library Surplus
The board approved a surplus declaration for a list of library books and materials at Miller Junior High School that are too worn or no longer used for instruction.
Comments from the Audience
Donna Portmann, an English teacher at Aberdeen High School, offered comment on why the school should return to a semester system.
Personnel Matters
The board approved the Personnel Report.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the board is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, at McDermoth Elementary School, 409 North K St.
BurkeMobile is coming to Miller
The BurkeMobile from the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle will visit Miller Junior High School on December 5.
The 7th Grade Social Studies classes are scheduled to take part. Principal Lisa Griebel said teachers are very excited and grateful that Hailey Pfeifer, our district’s Indian education coordinator, was able to make the arrangements.
Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.
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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/
Student athletes working on culture of success
The next opportunity for student athletes to take part in a session headed by Don Marbut, AHS alum and former WSU baseball coach, October 23 at 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. The topic is “Team Challenges."