Let’s hear it for the arts!
The arts have come alive at the Madrona K–8 School in Seattle. Although the school once was limited in its arts programming during the school day, Madrona’s principal, Farah Thaxton, worked to shift the tide. She joined ArtsEd Washington’s Principals Arts Leadership (PAL) program and has worked to build out Madrona’s core arts classes, community arts partnerships and integrated arts learning opportunities.
Thaxton hired a full-time K–5 music teacher and a part-time instrumental music teacher to bridge the arts opportunity gap and build a path for her students into high school music programs. She purchased instruments and supplies, and began a three-year partnership with Arts Impact to provide K–5 professional development focused on literacy and mathematics.
Arts programming now reaches into the heart of the community and includes an art walk, a showcase of student art at local restaurants, and an art room for families at school open houses.
New CEO for BTECH
Bridgett Chandler has been named executive director and CEO of Behavioral Tech (BTECH), a subsidiary of the Linehan Institute.
The Linehan Institute, founded by dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) developer Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., supports an international community of mental health professionals who serve clients with severe mental illness. BTECH provides training and supporting materials for mental health care providers and treatment teams.
Chandler has served in both public and nonprofit sectors as a leader in local government, education, youth development and early learning.
Spaced out?
Bring that space research down to earth by visiting the Pacific Science Center’s multimedia exhibit NASA’s “Destination: Station,” which runs through Sept. 2. The exhibit, designed for all ages, includes hands-on activities, imagery, and audio and visual technology to connect you with your place in space. Entry to “Destination: Station” is included with the price of general admission and free for Pacific Science Center members.
GIVING TOGETHER
Childhaven is dedicated to the mission of healing young victims of abuse while breaking the cycle that leads to hurt and trauma. A leader in therapeutic child care, Childhaven helps more than 400 abused and neglected children ages 1 month through 5 years old each year.
The organization partners with community agencies and health care providers to offer developmental therapy and other services to children who need them. Join us by supporting Childhaven, which hopes to end the cycle of child abuse and neglect.
SCHOOL SCOOP
Rigorous program for Rainier Beach
Rainier Beach High School in Seattle will offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) program starting next fall. This International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous college-preparatory program that includes two years of courses in six subjects. After students complete each course, they take exams, which are scored by IB representatives.
The IB diploma is recognized by 1,800 universities, and students can earn college credit based on the results of exams at the end of the courses. Rainier Beach will be the third Seattle school district high school to offer the program. The others are Chief Sealth International High School and Ingraham High School.
Hooray for Hutchins
South Lake High School teacher Web Hutchins has won the Civic Educator of the Year award, the state’s top honor for civic education. He was nominated for the award by state Rep. Eric Pettigrew.
A Seattle Public Schools instructor for nearly 25 years, Hutchins began his career at Nathan Hale High School and later moved to Franklin High School. South Lake High School is an alternative re-entry school that primarily serves at-risk students.
Hutchins has used civics to engage students in new ways, and this spring, won a grant from the Seattle Education Foundation to bring his students to Olympia.
A big boon for arts ed
In 2011, the City of Seattle partnered with Seattle Public Schools to draft a comprehensive arts education plan for city schools. The objective? To ensure that all Seattle students receive two hours of arts education a week by 2020.
The city is standing by the plan by investing $500,000 to implement the first phase in citywide arts education, beginning with Seattle Public Schools’ Central Pathway. The Central Pathway, which includes schools in and around Seattle’s Central District, was chosen because of partnerships with community-based arts education organizations.
The funds come from the new Chihuly Art & Glass Museum and the Great Wheel on the waterfront. City bylaws require that 75 percent of admission taxes be donated to arts-related programming, and that boon will fund arts programming, art supplies and instruments for the diverse student population served by Central Pathway schools.
New member for school board
Former Seattle Public Schools board member Pete Maier is the newest appointed member of the Washington State Board of Education. Selected from six finalists, Maier will be one of 14 voting members on the board, which includes the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, gubernatorial appointees and a private-school representative, as well as members selected by school board members across the state.
FAMILY HEALTH
Crazy for camping?
To many Northwesterners, July means family campout time! Before you plan that journey into the wilderness with the kids, follow the three P’s: planning, preparation and precaution, advises Dr. Michelle Terry, a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Plan for all types of weather — conditions can change quickly, she says. “Families should prepare for temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 80s, and, of course, prepare for rain.” Terry says kids should pack their own gear, although parents need to check out their child’s bag before heading out.
Here’s a list of packing essentials, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
• Adequate bedding/sleeping bag and extra blankets
• Lightweight, light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Tent and plastic ground cloth
• Insect repellent for clothing
• Insect repellent containing deet for skin
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen and lipscreen with SPF 15 or higher
• Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• Healthy on-the-go snacks and other food
• Water and other alcohol-free and sugar-free fluids
• Insulated cooler
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Life jacket, helmet and other protective gear
• First-aid kit
• Compass or GPS
• Map
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Sturdy shoes
• Extra set of clothes
• Medical record, including information on vaccinations; insect, food, plant and other allergies; diseases and conditions; medicines, dosing schedules and storage instructions and emergency contacts.