Aberdeen Schools
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June 7, 2019
Mike Pauley: Firefighter of the Year
Congratulations to Mike Pauley,
our District's maintenance and custodial manager,
who has been named
The Daily World's Firefighter of the Year.
A.J. West Kindergarten Celebration
The Kindergarten Celebration at A.J. West Elementary School
is one of the highlights of the school year.
Employees of the Year
Ashley Kohlmeier, an English teacher and leadership advisor at Aberdeen High School, is the Aberdeen School District’s Teacher of the Year, and Angie Ashe, a longtime bus driver, is the District’s Classified Employee of the Year. Their awards were announced at the annual employee recognition dinner Monday, June 3, at Aberdeen High School, and they now become the Aberdeen School District’s nominees for state employee of the year honors.
The banquet honors employees nominated by each school and department – and the excellent work taking place throughout the District was on full display.
Recap of the School Board meeting on June 4
Find the full agenda of the June 4 meeting
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney, Bill Dyer, Erin Farrer and Jeff Nelson, along with Superintendent Alicia Henderson, student representative Natalie Hurd and 41 patrons and staff.
President Sandra Bielski offered condolences to the staff, family and peers of Tracey Harris, a 4th Grade teacher at Robert Gray Elementary School, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 2, 2019.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Minutes, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the regular meeting on May 21 2019;
- Approved a trip request for SkillsUSA at Aberdeen High School to travel to the national conference and competition in Louisville, Ky., on June 22-29.
- Received correspondence from OSPI granting the School Board’s request for a waiver from the 180-day requirement through 2022 in order to reduce half days by holding parent conferences on two days in the fall and in the spring.
- Received correspondence from OSPI granting the School Board’s request for a one-time waiver from the 180-day requirement and allowing the 8th Grade class at Miller Junior High School to start school one day later than the 6th and 7th Grades as part of the transition to a 6-8 school.
Comments from Board members
- Employees of the Year: Director Bill Dyer congratulated the employees of the year and said the recognition dinner was a wonderful evening.
- Retirement Reception: Director Dyer commented that he was very glad that he was also able to attend the retirement reception and share in the send-off for some of the finest employees in the district.
- AHS Orchestra: Director Dyer commented that the AHS Orchestra performed on Sunday with the Grays Harbor Symphony and that they were exceptional ambassadors for AHS.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative Natalie Hurd provided a report on end-of-school-year events. President Sandra Bielski commended Miss Hurd on her selection as one of the CTE students of the year for her work on the AHS yearbook.
Kindergarten Ozobot Demonstration
Teaching and Learning Director Traci Sandstrom and kindergarten teacher Rhonda Turner introduced students from A.J. West Elementary School who demonstrated how Ozobots are being used to teach students – including kindergartners – entry level coding skills.
New Science Curriculum
The Board adopted a new science curriculum for Grades 6-8 that was presented at the June 4 meeting. A 10-member committee began meeting last fall and reviewed materials from three publishers, eventually selecting the Inspire curriculum from McGraw-Hill.
The materials are available for review by contacting the Teaching and Learning Department.
New Books Approved
The Board approved the use of the following books for use in classrooms as recommended by the Instructional Materials Committee:
- Environment: The Science Behind the Stories by Withgott & Laposata and published by Pearson for use in science classes at Aberdeen High School.
- School-Connect by K. Beland, J. Douglass and R. Matheny and published by School-Connect for use in the Special Education PASS Program at Aberdeen High School.
- Human Journey: Modern World published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston for use in social studies classes at Aberdeen High School.
- Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and published by Norton for use in English classes at Aberdeen High School.
- Character Strong by J. Norlin, L. Norlin and H. Kraft and published by Character Strong for the social-emotional learning portion of advisory at Aberdeen High School.
- Inspire Science by various authors and published by McGraw-Hill for use in science classes at Aberdeen High School and Miller Junior High School.
- Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician by Scott Rush and published by GIA Publications for use in music/ band classes at Miller Junior High School.
These materials were first presented at the June 4 meeting and are available for review by contacting the Teaching and Learning Department.
Superintendent’s Report
- Robert Gray Teacher: Superintendent Henderson commented that Tracey Harris, 4th Grade teacher at Robert Gray Elementary School who passed away on June 2, was an exemplary teacher and colleague and will be missed.
- Employees of the Year: Superintendent Henderson commented that the recognition dinner for the employees of the year was very well done and gave special thanks to Shelby Dickson and her culinary students who prepared the meal and to the Goldberg Foundation, which provided a grant to cover the cost. She recognized Ashley Kohlmeier, AHS English teacher and leadership advisor, and Angie Ashe, longtime bus driver in the District, as the Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year.
- 2019 Retirees: Superintendent Henderson recognized the service of those who are retiring, including Gayle Capsel at Snug Harbor, G. Arnold at Miller Junior High School, Denise Cox, Martin Jefferson and Kerin Murpy at Stevens Elementary School, Kevin Ridout at Aberdeen High School and Jim Sawin, assistant superintendent.
- 2018-2019 Focus Areas: Superintendent Henderson noted she will provide a year-end report at the June 18 meeting.
- 2019-2020 Budget Update: Superintendent Henderson reported that the District has learned it will receive about half of the “Hold Harmless” funding that was announced in earlier this spring – about $500,000 instead of $900,000. The 2019-2020 draft budget will need to be revised due to the lower revenue projection. In addition, she said she remains deeply concerned about the impact of the new employee benefit system, which is underfunded by the state. Preliminary calculations show that the increased cost to ASD5 could be more than $1 million.
- New Stevens School: Superintendent Henderson reported that the administration is looking into the option of rebuilding Stevens School at the current site and that options for housing students during construction are being explored. She also reported that following a meeting with bond consultants, a February bond measure may be proposed.
- Use of District Facilities: Superintendent Henderson reported that policies and procedures for public use of district facilities are being reviewed, and that she will be putting together a committee that will bring a recommendation to the Board this fall.
Teaching and Learning Report
Teaching and Learning Director Traci Sandstrom and Special Education Director Rick Bates presented a report on MTSS, multi-tiered systems and supports, which is being implemented Districtwide for both academic and behavior supports. MTSS is research-based and has proven to be successful, they said.
WIAA Resolution
The Board adopted a resolution renewing membership in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
True North
The Board renewed the contract with True North Student Assistance and Treatment Services for 2019-2020. The services are provided through ESD 113.
City University Agreement
The Board approved a revision to the contract with City University regarding extensions for student teachers.
MyTRL Agreement
The Board approved a contract with the Timberland Regional Library that will provide students with library cards so they can access online library materials at school.
The Board approved an update to the 2019-2020 calendar that adds Board meeting dates and notes Miller 8th Grade students will start school August 29, which is one day later than Grades 6-7.
Surplus CTE Equipment
The Board declared as surplus three Craftsman tool boxes that are no longer used in the CTE program at Aberdeen High School.
Personnel Report
The Board approved personnel matters with Director Bill Dyer abstaining.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, June 10:
- McDermoth Field Day
- Bobcat Booster Club
Tuesday, June 11:
- Music Boosters, 7 p.m., AHS
- A.J. West Variety Show
- McDermoth Variety Show
- Robert Gray Field Day
- Stevens Field Day
Wednesday, June 12:
- A.J. West Field Day
- Central Park Field Day
- Robert Gray 5th & 6th Grade Moving Up Assembly
Thursday, June 13:
- A.J. West K-5 Awards Assembly
- Stevens Track Day
- Robert Gray Awards Assembly
- AHS Final Exams
Friday, June 14
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL / EARLY RELEASE
- AHS Final Exams
- A.J. West, Central Park, McDermoth, Miller and Stevens Assemblies
- Robert Gray Talent Show
Monday, June 17
- Summer School Begins
Tuesday, June 18
- School Board meeting, 5 p.m., AHS
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/