Normandy Park Blog Advertiser BECU is holding a free seminar called “Surviving in Today’s Economy” on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free “Surviving in Today’s Economy” seminar

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines, WA

COST: NO COST. NO OBLIGATION. REGISTER TODAY.

INFO: Space is limited – call 206-439-5910, visit www.becu.org or stop by any BECU Neighborhood Financial Center to register.

Sponsored by BECU Neighborhood Financial Center, whose free seminars are led by experienced financial educators.

The Planning Association of Washington, The Washington State Department of Commerce and The Washington Cities Insurance Authority are sponsoring “A Short Course on Local Planning” at the City of Normanday Park’s Council Chambers on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “A Short Course on Local Planning”

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm

WHERE: City of Normandy Park Council Chambers – City Hall 801 SW 174th Street, Normandy Park, WA 98166

AGENDA:

• WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Anne Fritzel 6:40 – 7:40
• THE LEGAL BASIS OF PLANNING IN WASHINGTON STATE: Phil Olbrechts; The statutory basis of planning in Washington State, Constitutional issues in land use planning, the Open Public Meetings Act, the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, conflicts of interest, quasi-judicial and legislative functions of the planning commission, ex parte communications and how to deal with them, the conduct of meetings, the uses (and misuses) of email, and recent case law affecting land use planning.
• 7:40 – 7:55 BREAK
• 7:55 – 8:00: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Anne Fritzel 8:00 – 8:30
• COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING BASICS: Roger Wagoner; An overview of the basic components of a comprehensive plan, including the goals of the plan, the basic elements which need to be addressed, the concepts of consistency and concurrency, and suggestions for involving citizens in the planning process.
• 8:30 – 9:00 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND THE ROLE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: Michael Booth; The tools and techniques available for implementing the comprehensive plan, discussion of the role of the planning commission, how to develop good working relationships among the planning commission, elected officials, and planning staff, and suggestions for holding effective meetings and hearings.
• 9:00 – 9:30 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Everyone

The evening will be Moderated by Anne Fritzel, AICP Senior Planner Growth Management Services Department of Commerce (PO Box 42525 906 Columbia St SW Olympia, WA 98504 (360) 725-3064) anne.fritzel@commerce.wa.gov; www.commerce.wa.gov/growth

PRESENTERS:

• Phil A. Olbrechts, Attorney at Law Ogden Murphy Wallace 1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100 Seattle, WA 98101-1686 (206) 447-7000 polbrechts@omwlaw.com
• Roger Wagoner, AIA, FAICP Director of Community Design BHC Consultants 1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98101 206.505.3400 roger.wagoner@bhcconsultants.com; www.bhcconsultants.com
• Michael Booth, AICP Director of Environmental and Community Planning Perteet Inc. 2707 Colby Avenue, Suite 900 Everett, WA 98201 (425)252-7700 (800)615-9900; MBooth@perteet.com; www.perteet.com

REGISTRATION:

• Please go to www.wciapool.org and click “training schedule.”
• Click until you get to the month of the training, then click on the title of the training and click “sign up.”
• First time registering online? Click “First Time Online Registration” and complete the Participant Form and create a user name and password to use to register for future trainings.
• Registered before? Enter your personal user name and password
• If you have any questions about registration, please contact Member Services Assistant, Maria Orozco at mariao@wciapool.org and or 206-575-6046 ext. 241.
• For a schedule of Short Course trainings please visit: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/395/default.aspx

Highline Public Schools will be holding a special grand opening celebration for the recently-rebuilt Marvista Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 24th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

There will be a short program beginning at 5:45pm, with tours and dinner following; all are invited.

Marvista welcomed its 550 students to their new building on the first day of school on Wednesday, Sept. 9th. The main components of the building – classrooms, lunchroom, and common areas – were completed on time and on budget. Finishing touches, such as landscaping and playfields, will be completed in the next few weeks.

“Our students and staff are so excited about the new building,” said Principal Rebekah Kim. “It provides space for great learning opportunities and for our community to gather – with the school as the centerpiece.”

Marvista, located in Normandy Park, is the twelfth new school to be completed in Highline since 2004. The construction projects have been financed by bonds approved by voters in 2002 and 2006. Prior to 2002, no school construction bond had been approved since 1986. During that 16-year period, the district was unable to replace aging buildings.

“We had a long list of old and outdated schools that needed to be replaced,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are grateful that the community saw that need and approved the funding to allow us to build schools that are safer and provide the current technology our students need to compete in today’s world.”

Marvista is located at 19800 Marine View Drive SW in Normandy Park.

Nearly 300 people helped raise $65,500 for the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Friday at the 9th Annual Gold Star Awards Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Suites in Tukwila, and here are some pics from Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Slideshow

Former “Almost Live!” host John Keister acted as the Master of Ceremonies and brought down the house when he interviewed young scholars who spoke on behalf of their schools’ Excel Grant projects implemented with funding from the Foundation.

Other participants included Amy Pinon, who belted out the National Anthem, Kevin Rodal who played guitar at the pre-event and the Bow Lake Elementary Choir that provided luncheon entertainment.

The Gold Star Awards recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator – Dr. Steve Grubb
Dr. Grubb is a leader who models integrity, respect and professionalism at all times. He has an ability to stay focused on what is most important – the big strategic picture and the end goal without losing sight of the impacts on fron line staff.

Outstanding Classified Employee – Zenaida (ZZ) Newman
ZZ Newman evaluates and enrolls students who speak other languages and is often the first contact for families arriving at schools. She is caring and reliable and puts her knowledge and her personal concern for other individuals into practice.

Outstanding Teacher – Linda Drahn
Linda Drahn is a 1st grade teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is a 28 year teaching veteran who is a loving , patient instructor and a mentor to new teachers, as well.

Outstanding Volunteer – Tamera Nason
Tamera Nason is in her 5th year volunteering at Aviation High School. She travels from Maple Valley to volunteer and is willing to assist with whatever is needed including flying her airplane to Moses Lake to deliver legal documents to students.

The final award of the luncheon, “The Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Geri Fain, Highline Assistant Superintendent in charge of Facilities, Transportation, Security and Nutrition at Highline School District. Geri has been at Highline Schools since she started as a teacher in 1971 at Tyee High School. Unlike the other awards, The Lifetime Achievement is the only one to be revealed at the luncheon.

The luncheon and awards were sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers & Norman.

The 2nd Annual Normandy Park Emergency Preparedness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd from 12pm to 6pm at the Normandy Park Community Club (The Cove), located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive (map below).

The event is FREE and for all ages and will include displays, information and demonstrations from the City of Normandy Park, Burien-Normandy Park Fire District, Dunn Lumber, Highline Medical Center, American Preparedness, Normandy Park Assisted Living, King County Sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter (3pm–5pm) and others.

Vendors, Agencies and Participants providing emergency preparedness information include:

• City of Normandy Park
• King County Fire District No. 2 (Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department)
• Highline Medical Center
• American Preparednesss
• Dunn Lumber Company
• Normandy Park Assisted Living
• King County Sheriff’s Department – Guardian One Helicopter
• Normandy Park RACES Team
• City of Des Moines
• Others pending

Stop by the Fair and learn how to prepare your family, pets, home and business for an emergency – Be Prepared!

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The Normandy Park Blog is proud to announce that we have become the first Community Website Sponsor for Highline School’s Foundation for Excellence Gold Star Awards.

These awards have been presented annually since the inception of Highline Schools Foundation in 2001. Award recipients are selected from the following categories:

• Outstanding Administrator/Principal
• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding Volunteer
• Outstanding Classified Employee

To download a ballot, please click here for a PDF file which you can then print, fill out and either mail or fax in.

All ballots must be postmarked by April 7th, and sent or faxed to:

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence
245 SW 152nd Suite D
Burien, WA 98166
Fax: 206-838-6041

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, coming up on May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog (EDITOR’S NOTE: whatever you do, don’t say this to John in an overly-enthusiastic voice: “Successful succession of successful success!“).

For more information on how you can attend this luncheon, please contact the foundation at 206-248-5196.

The Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Benefit luncheon is sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers and Norman.

Highline Schools Foundation mission is to “provide community resources to help Highline Public Schools Succeed. By enriching the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level.” Since 2001 the foundation has distributed over $250,000 to the 32 schools in the Highline District. Donors include corporate, foundations and private citizens.

For more information or to see how you might participate go to www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The City of Normandy Park Recreation Department is offering a Spring Break Camp for kids ages 5-11, starting Monday March 30th and continuing through Friday April 3rd.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Spring Break Kid’s Camp, ages 5-11, a “Movement and Exploration-based Camp”

WHEN: Monday, March 30th through Friday, April 3rd; Parents can drop off children between 10-10:30am. Activities begin at 10:30am. Parents can pick up kids between 3:30-4pm. There may be some activities planned away from City Hall Park so if you need to pick up your children before 3:30, check with the teacher to see where they will be.

WHERE: Children should be dropped off at the check-in desk in the Recreation Center at City Hall Park . You must sign in your child daily. You will be notified if the next day’s drop-off location changes.

COST: $99 per family member in advance ($125 per family member starting March 30th) Cash, check, credit cards (Visa, MC) accepted; Mailing Address: 

City of Normandy Park
Office of the City Clerk
801 SW 174th Street
Normandy Park, WA   98166

Registration is not final until registration, medical, and emergency information forms are completed and full payment is submitted. Camp enrollment is based on first-paid, first-served basis.  If camp is full, a waiting list will be started.

REGISTER: To register, download this PDF Form (requires free Adobe Reader) and either bring it in or mail it to the City’s address above, or fax it to 206-439-8674

INFO:

Late Pick-up Fee: A $1.00 per minute late fee is assessed beginning at 4pm. If you are late, you will be required to sign the late fee book, acknowledging you were late. You will be given a receipt indicating the amount you owe. This late fee must be paid within 24 hours or your child’s reservation will be cancelled. You will not be able to sign up for another week of camp until all fees are paid.

Pick-up Procedures: You must sign-out your child daily at the front desk or with their lead teacher. You must show ID when picking up your child and your name must be included on the “Authorized Pickup List”.

Field Trips: We may walk to other locations in the city or you may be asked to drop-off and pickup your child from another location. You will receive a next-day activity notice when you pick up your child if the locations will change.

Lunch and Snacks: We will have a one-hour lunch break and two snack periods throughout the day. Please send your child with enough food, water, and snacks to get them by with the scheduled activities. We will not have refrigeration. Please put your child’s name on the bag.

Personal Items: Please do not send your child with personal items including cell phones, music devices, toys. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items

Clothing and weather protection: Some activities will be outside. On wet days, feel free to send kids with rain gear, extra shoes, or a change of clothes. Kids should dress for active activity and wear clothes that could be damaged with paints, glue or mud. within 24 hours or your child’s reservation will be cancelled.

Refund Policy: A refund is granted if the withdrawal is made at least seven business days prior to the start of camp, per participant, per camp.  Camp withdrawals requested less than seven business days prior to class will result in a refund of 50% of the program fee, per participant, per
program for days not attended.   If camp does not meet the minimum student load for the week, you will receive a 100% refund.

The Normandy Park Blog welcomes its latest Advertiser: Sylvan Learning Center in Burien!

Sylvan Learning Center was founded over 27 years ago with the sole purpose of providing tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages (from Pre-K through High School) and all levels.

Affordable tutoring instruction is available in “readin’, ritin’ and ‘rithmetic”, as the old saying goes, but make it Reading, Writing and Math Essentials, plus throw in study skills, homework support and test preparation for those all-important SATs. Use Sylvan’s amazing diagnostic assessments to find exactly what your student needs, mix liberally with tons of attention from certified teachers, and you’ve got the successful recipe for the Sylvan Advantage.

Sylvan Learning Center in downtown Burien has offered their personalized learning plan to hundreds of students since opening its doors in Burien nearly two years ago. Prior to their move, they had been in the West Seattle area.

In Burien/Normandy Park, when they want real results, parents, teachers and students all turn to Sylvan for tutoring services. Sylvan’s individualized approach ensures every student develops the skills, habits and attitudes for lifelong success.

Get “The Best” for Less
Right now, through the end of January 2009, Sylvan Learning in Burien is making it more affordable to enjoy the many benefits of Sylvan. $94 per week/per student will bring your student through the door for two hours of instruction each week, with the testing, registration and enrollment fees waived ($164 savings). Interested in Sylvan now? Let’s see what it’s all about.

The Recipe for the Sylvan Advantage
It all starts with a Skills Assessment, which identifies where your child may have ’skill gaps’ or areas of academic struggle. Then you add in a large dose of a Personalized Learning Plan which is designed to meet your student’s exact needs, goals and learning style. Stir in Highly Trained and Certified Teachers, who love to teach and are dedicated to helping your child succeed. The tutoring programs have been designed so that every student has immediate access to their teacher, while benefiting from the opportunity to work independently to master the material. Throw in a bunch of Individualized Instruction, supplemented by independent learning, and you have the key to helping your child build confidence, motivation and success.

Finally finish it off with Regular Progress Reports to determine if your child is progressing as planned, or if his/her program should be accelerated.

Top Notch Teachers-Top Notch Educators
The Sylvan Advantage is only as good as the staff and teachers who work there. Let’s meet them.

First there’s the Giller twins, Michael and David. Michael is the Executive Director, has a master’s degree in teaching from UPS and has taught in the Tacoma and Puyallup school districts. He’s worked with students of all ages and finds that an individual has the best chance to make an impact on the environment through literacy. David, the Center Director, has a BS in Management from Park College. He loves having the opportunity to help children reach their fullest potential through Sylvan Learning (he’s the guy you see when you walk in the door).

Marre Giller, Michael’s wife, has a major in mathematics and chemistry from UW. Her skills in multitasking, documentation and project management are put to use creating a schedule that will suit your busy life and make it easier for you to give your student the Sylvan Advantage.

There’s six teachers at Sylvan. Kayleen Diaz has a BA in Special Education K-12 and an elementary education K-8 from SPU. She has a special gift for working with young and special needs kids. Nik Dukich graduated from Evergreen State with a BS in mathematics and minor in physics. He’s the math guy. Jen Parker has a BA in Liberal Arts from Southern Louisiana University. She’s taught English at university and high school levels. In addition to her teaching at Sylvan, she is chair for the English Department at Kennedy High School. Kelly Kirk has a BA in Education from UW. She substitutes in the Highline School District and is getting her masters in Special Education. She teaches reading, math and study skills. Kasey Clay has a BA in Elementary Education from City University. She also teaches elementary school in Kent. Will Bielawski has a BS from University of Michigan, he’s been teaching for three years. He’s the reading and writing guy for all levels.

Great programs. Great Teachers. Right in the neighborhood. What are you and your student waiting for? Stop by soon, or check out their ad on the upper right sidebar. Click-through to the local website for much more of the recipe for success.

For more information call 1-866-735-9209 Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or stop by Sylvan’s Burien location, which is located at 636 SW 152nd Street, Suite B.

Both Miller Creek and Walker Creek flow through the area, and both creeks are in need of your help.

An ad-hoc committee aimed at monitoring and studying both creeks is forming, and its inaugural workshop is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 24, from 7pm – 8:30pm at the Burien Community Center, Classroom 5, located at 425 S.W. 144th Street (map below).

At this workshop, participants will learn the answers to some of the following questions, and help provide answers to some other questions:

• How do we know about water quality, water quantity, and habitat conditions in Miller and Walker Creeks?
• What monitoring has been done in recent years?
• What monitoring is necessary to allow for analysis of trends?
• Can we better coordinate existing monitoring?
• What additional monitoring would we like to do in the future?
• And how are we going to use all the data that have been and will be collected? Five years from now, will monitoring give us the information we need to evaluate the health of these stream basins and make good decisions about future projects, programs, and policies?

Improving monitoring of water quality, water quantity, and habitat conditions is recommended in the Executive Proposed Miller and Walker Creeks Basin Plan. This workshop is intended to kick off an ad hoc committee effort to answer the questions listed above. Answering these questions will help everyone take better care of the land and water in the Miller and Walker Creek basins (basin boundary map).

The monitoring discussion is intended to produce recommendations on how local partners can conduct voluntary monitoring in the future. The outcome of this process will not affect the current monitoring for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as required by the Department of Ecology. The monitoring that has been and is being done by the Port of Seattle will be discussed, however, because it provides information on those portions of the creeks that flow through the airport property.

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Dennis Clark, King County Public Outreach/Stewardship Coordinator, 206-296-1909.

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