In the meantime, several of her students who are at the high school now have put together a get-together this weekend to help her out…I know I’ll be there, and I hope you will, too! Here’s the scoop:

It's this weekend!

Glenda Edwards, Mikial Denker and Frank Penwell...ready to get a bike to a kid near you....

Here’s a note from Glenda about what Santa & she are up to:

This started with a drive into town over Labor Day weekend when I saw some bicycles lined up on the side of the road with a big FREE sign in front of them.  I thought here’s an opportunity to join forces with Santa to find good homes for these bicycles. They were in need of some attention before they could find a new home.  They needed to be cleaned up, some needed the rust removed, new tires and new seats for starters.

I immediately thought of Mikial with “Travel Light Cycles,” who reconditions pre-peddled bicycles and resale’s them at affordable prices.  He gladly jumped aboard to provide the TLC needed to make these bicycles ready for new peddlers.  He’s passionate about getting more kids on bicycles, as well as the young at heart.  And if you have a bicycle that needs a tune up go by and see him at Surina Business Park.  He also has lots of other bicycles for sale for kids as well as adults, so think of your Christmas list…….

We thought this would be a great annual event.  But where could we continue to get bikes to rehab to give away to Island boys and girls?  Mikial suggested Frank with “Consignment Treasures”.  So we meet with Frank and found some bicycles he had available as well as a few bicycles helmets.  He was excited about our project and is happy to continue to donate bicycles that are dropped off.

Here’s how you can help….. if you have a bicycle or a helmet you’re not using anymore you can drop them of with Mikial or Frank.  This can be done at any time during the year, as there’s always next Christmas……

Write Santa a letter as to why you or someone you know should be the proud owner of one of these bicycles.  Here’s your opportunity to be Santa’s helper.  Do you know of someone who could really use a bicycle?  Be sure to include your/their age, contact information and other details.  That’s what the holiday season is all about helping and giving to others.  Bicycles will be delivered on Sunday, Dec.18^th.

Send your letters to Santa by December 10^th at:

Santa’s Cycles • P. O. Box 457 • Friday Harbor, WA  98250
Email: santa (at) rockisland.com

 For more information, details, pictures, and updates go to

http://northwestsafetyfirst.com/safety-news/

or LIKE Santa’s Cycles on Facebook!!!

Check with your friends to make sure they're signed up!

Well, fall is in the air (actually, it has been all summer, this summer), so it must be time for kids’ soccer.

Have your kids signed up yet? Last chance – Soccer association prez Travis Ayers tells me that Wednesday (tomorrow) registration officially ends, with late registrations accepted on a space available basis. Sign ‘em up!

Travis says they could also use a coach or two at the U-8 level (that’s under 8 years old) – drop him a note at ayers.travis (at) gmail.com. Games start on the tenth!

Other gigs & ways you can help: On Monday the fifth at 9am: Field repair at FHES!  Bring shovels and rakes if you have them.  A great chance to earn Dollars for Scholars hours!

Then, on Wednesday the seventh, there’s a 6pm referee training workshop with Kevin Porter, tentatively at the community meeting room in the back of Whidbey Island Bank.  All experience levels are welcome, from novice to advanced.  SJI Soccer pays refs for older age bracket games depending on the ref certifications.  Alternatively, reffing is another great way to earn hours for Dollars for Scholars!

Actual pies at last year's Fair, before they disappeared...

Here’s more from Tori:

It is that time of year again, time to make pie for the FHES PTA pie booth.  We are having pie making parties at the high school kitchen on Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10 from 4pm to 8pm. Bring an apron, a rolling pin and your smiling, hard working self!  You will also have the opportunity to sign up to work in the pie booth during the Fair.  If the pie party times don’t work for you, feel free to bake your pies at home and drop them off at the elementary school kitchen any day during the Fair between 9am and 5pm.  Remember, just berry and fruit pies, no cream pies.

Budget cuts are staggering and will take their toll.  Please participate as much as you can in this fundraising event and help us lessen the financial gaps for our school!  Call Tori Zehner, 378-6301, or Stacie Tangney, 378-3389, for more details or questions.

EAT PIE AT THE FAIR, ITS MORE THAN JUST DESSERT!

Time to bake!

Katie (left) joins Autumn and Amy this fall at Lighthouse....

Just got this update from Lighthouse from Val Curtis:

Lighthouse Preschool: Increase to teaching staff, employment opportunity and enrollment openings

Classes at Lighthouse Preschool begin Tuesday, September 6, 2011.   The Lighthouse Preschool Board is happy to announce that Teacher Amy Pauls will be returning for her 3rd year at Lighthouse Preschool and Teacher Autumn Hallock will be serving for her 2nd year; both are working with the 3 and 4 year old classes.

We are pleased to announce that Katie Chevalier is the newest addition to the teaching staff and will be working with the Toddler Group.  Katie comes to Lighthouse with Early Education studies under her belt, experience with early education programs during her time in Idaho and a tangible passion for working with young children.  In addition, she is a talented artist who will share her love and knowledge in this discipline with her students.

Currently there is an employment opportunity for a Toddler Group Teacher’s Aide.  The Preschool Board is seeking a mature, nurturing person with experience in the 2-3 year old age range.  Interested applicants should visit the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church Administration Office to pick up an application.  For questions, call 378-4544.  The church office is open Monday-Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm and also on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30pm-3:30pm.

In compliance with the Washington State Early Education Standards, Lighthouse Preschool’s goal is to provide a safe, stimulating, and enriching environment that focuses on the development of the whole child. Our objective is to ensure each child has the necessary resources, knowledge and skills needed to bridge successfully into Kindergarten.  This year’s curriculum will include: Artist in Residence Program, Zoo Phonics, Character Development, Kid Safe, and High Scope Math and Science.

There are spaces available in all three classes on a first come, first serve basis.  Limited scholarship funds are also available for those who qualify.  Interested families should pick up enrollment applications at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian office as soon as possible to secure a space.

• Toddler Group (2.5 yr olds by 8/31/11)

Tue.-Thurs. 8:30 am-11:00 am                        $150/mo.

• Morning Preschool (3 yr olds by 8/31/11)

Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am- 11:00 am                       $185/mo.

• Afternoon Preschool (4 yr olds by 8/31/11)

Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 am- 2:30 pm                      $205/mo.

For more information call 378-4544.

FHHS principal Fred Woods greets newly-graduated Elle (left), Maggie, and Lindsay after the ceremony.

It was great.

Megan is congratulated by friend Carmen on Saturday night.

It was a great evening Saturday night as Friday Harbor High graduated this year’s class…the beautiful weather of the day went with a well-paced ceremony which was capped by a full courtyard of well-wishers & family & friends & people who love these kids.

It always feels like most of the island comes to the FHHS graduation each year, and it’s a great time to see grads past, present & future all in one place.

Happy trails, grads! You rock!

Meeting the cameras - graduate Madi McPadden smiles with her parents for the lenses...

Island pioneer & granddad Sam Buck congratulates a smiling Tanner Buck after the festivities....

Dad Tom & sis Alaina came to celebrate Emily's diploma...she'll join Alaina at Seattle U this fall.

Surrounded by family - Sam's got Jeff & Diana & Russell (FHHS '08) on hand for graduation.

The parking lot wall was repainted last week with the names of the Class of 2011....

The sixth graders are ready to move up!

Dori & Kate Sears are happy to announce this year’s class:

Stillpoint School is proud to present its first graduating class! Congratulations to the Class of 2011: Sis Baker, Simon Vincent, and Emma Reynolds. Sis and Emma have attended Stillpoint School since it opened in 2007; Simon joined the next year. The 6th grade class formed close connections during the years and were thrilled to reach this exciting milestone together.

The first Graduation was a special event for all the students and families. On June 8, 2011, family members and friends attended the Graduation and Promotion Ceremony at Stillpoint School to honor the achievements of the 6th grade class. Additionally, the Ceremony included the promotion of all the students who successfully completed the school year in grades K-5. The ceremony was followed by an outdoor Reception with delicious food and a beautiful cake.

Stillpoint School is proud of the many academic achievements of the Class of 2011, and wishes them all the best in the future.

The graduates (in red) included Candace Richter, Kimberly Mapstead, Tyler Schubert, Blythe Danica Parker, and (right) Elizabeth Alison Herbert, surrounded by (and photographed by) the San Juan Center faculty and staff, including retiring SVC president Gary Tollefson (in the back, with light blue regalia.) Click to see a larger photo!

Yesterday the San Juan Center graduated its sixteenth class since it opened in 1996 as five graduates stepped up to receive their diplomas for their AAUCT degree (that’s an Associate of Arts, with university transfer credit).

Cheered on by fans, family & friends, as well as faculty & SVC administrators, the grads all came from different roads to walk the same path. Way to go!

After the ceremony, the graduates celebrate with friends & family: (Top left) Blythe with her daughter; (top right) Candace with her family; (middle left) Kim with her mom & dad; (middle right) Tyler with math instructor Michael Balise; and Lizzy with her folks. Congrats to all the graduates!

It was that big: A wall-sized portrait of FHHS principal Fred Woods in the commons by the art students caught Tom & Lauren's eye when they entered.

The Community Dinner last night was was awesome! The area behind the high school/middle school was shoulder-to-shoulder with families & kids & teachers & community friends eating the dinner prepped by the Food for Thought classes & the Culinary Arts Classes – that was a great way to pull together folks, but that wasn’t all.

The Jazz Band (directed by outgoing band teacher Janet Olsen - her last gig is when the band plays at graduation this weekend) sounded great playing for the crowd during the dinner in the afternoon sun.

Andy Anderson’s art classes’ works at FHHS were on display in the halls at school, with art from the elementary school & middle school available as well. Meanwhile, out in the middle school courtyard, FHHS music teacher & band director Janet Olsen and the Jazz Band entertained, while people looked over science projects & tech exhibits.

Jenny Wilson & the FHHS Community Service Projects students did an awesome job last night!

In classrooms all over FHHS, students (mostly juniors) explained their community projects (that program is run by coordinator Jenny Wilson). Here’s a list of the projects this year (I’m listing them all, ’cause I think this is so cool) – which is a huge part of making the island a better place:

Bluebird House Landscaping
English Lessons at the Library
Youth Philanthropy
Blankets for Orphans
Island Music
Dolls for Charity
Jackson Beach CleanUp
Roche Harbor Quarry CleanUp
Financial Advice for Students
The Virtual Club
Beaverton Marsh Restoration
Building a Greenhouse
Worm Composting
Skate Park Improvement
Environmental Club
Improving the Basketball Court
Working on the Garden Walkway
The Save Our Schools Program

All in all, this kind of event is what makes living here great – celebrating what the kids are doing, and visiting with friends on a sunny day. Way to go, FHHS!

Connie Martin has accepted the position of Interim Principal at FHES effective July 1, 2011.  Connie came highly recommended from the Auburn School District where she is currently serving as an interim middle school assistant principal.  Connie also served as an Elementary Language Arts Specialist in the Auburn School District for seven years.

Connie’s career in public education includes being an elementary school classroom teacher and elementary physical education teacher.  Connie interviewed in the San Juan Island School District after her paperwork was carefully screened by the search committee made up of staff and parents in the district.

Connie demonstrated poise, tenacity, and commitment to student learning in the hiring process.  Connie graduated from WSU with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Physical Education.  She earned her M. Ed. Degree in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University in 2010.  We welcome Connie to her new position which begins one month from today.

Get your tickets now!

This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it always plays to a crowded room of science-loving jazz fans. (I originally said “jazz nut” but found out that was Morris Almond when he was drafted by the Utah Jazz in ’07).

As you know, JATL is the sole fundraiser for the Labs’ support of the Friday Harbor Labs Science Outreach Program (now in its 10th year). The funding of the Science Outreach Program is a partnership, that is also funded in a large part by the San Juan Island School District and generous donations to the San Juan Public Schools Foundation.

Jenny Roberts and Margo Thorp run a great program, and you can find out more about it here.

Here’s more from Rachel Anderson:

Jazz at the Labs, Saturday, June 4th
music begins at 6 p.m.
(Doors open at 5:30 for early viewing of the silent auction items)

Jazz Performances by :
San Juan Jazz Quintet
Chris Amemiya’s Jazz Coalescence

Our emcee will be Dick Stein from KPLU’s Midday Jazz

Farhad Ghatan will help us with our “mini-auction.” Our mini auction will consist of 3-4 fabulous live auction items and then a dozen or so silent auction pieces. We are hoping to raise much needed extra funds for the FHL Science Outreach Program.

Tickets are $40 for dinner and music. We usually sell out, so people are encouraged to call 360-378-2165 (ext. 0) to make reservations in advance.

We’d like to offer a special thank you to our supporters:

Jazz at the Labs Co-Sponsors:
Friday Harbor Drug
Islanders Insurance
Island Petroleum Services
Roche Harbor Resort
San Juan Propane
Spring Street Dentistry, Dr. Susan Kiraly
Wells Fargo Bank

Other contributors…
Dane Armstrong
Kathleen Ballard
David Bayley
Coho Restaurant
Islanders Bank
Farhad Ghatan
Carolyn Haugen
Lesley and Ken Nilsson
Don Pollard and Dave Ralston
Emily Reed
San Juan Vineyards
Ken Sebens
Alex Shapiro
Dick Stein
Whidbey Island Bank
Wilson Motors
Zip San Juan

Here is an update on the search at the elementary school. Today our search committee met from 8:00 to 4:30 to interview six candidates who are qualified for the position. Each candidate was scored by the thirteen member search committee. Following the interviews, three candidates were selected to interview with the staff and community. The date of the next interviews will be Tuesday, May 31, one week from today.

Each candidate will separately have conversations with staff and community members. The staff portion of the interviews will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 at the elementary school. The staff portion is not open to the public, but from 6:00 to 7:30 the community is invited to speak with each candidate who will  have thirty minutes with community members. The names of the finalists and the schedule will be sent out by the end of the week. Staff and community will have the opportunity to provide input on each candidate.

Following the Tuesday interviews, the search team will meet on June 1, the next morning, to debrief staff and community feedback. From there, a job offer will be considered to the successful candidate.

I commend the search committee for their dedication to this task. We will provide the schedule to you as soon as completed.

Rick

Update on FHES Principal Search

By Superintendent Rick Thompson 378-4133

May 12, 2011

The search committee met on May 12, 2011 and decided to move forward with reviewing candidates for the position of Interim Elementary School Principal.  The committee is composed of:

• Rick Thompson, Superintendent
• Tessa Degavre, teacher
• Shannon Miniken, parent
• Amy Hull, teacher
• Kay Jakutis, Special Education Director
• Marty Robinson, Office Manager
• Robin DeLaZerda, parent
• Gail Leschine-Seitz, counselor
• Jo Sandwith, teacher
• Brent Snow, School Board liaison
• Susan Williamson, paraeducator
• Marie Rothlisberger, HR Specialist
• Mike Taylor, Parent

The committee began by reviewing reasons why potential candidates for the permanent position may have withdrawn from consideration. Among the reasons relayed and discussed were the high cost of real estate, relatively low salary in comparison to some other school districts, personal reasons, and unusual circumstances in the district at this time.  The committee has been, and will continue to be committed to screening references in order to find the best possible fit and to avoid future conflicts.

The committee did express their commitment to finding the right candidate. The committee also reviewed written comment which the district received that had expressed the desire to retain the current principal as interim.  The district position remains unchanged, and the search for an interim principal will continue until a satisfactory candidate is found.

Initial committee interviews for interim candidates have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2011.  The committee will meet again on May 20, 2011 to review application documents and references.

The committee will also review public comment which can be submitted at publiccomment@sjisd.wednet.edu.