For over a decade, residents of Washington have heard various testing acronyms such as WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning), MSP (Measurement of Student Progress) HSPE (High School Proficiency Exam), and EOC (End of Course Exam). These tests were designed to test Washington State Standards in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science. However, these acronyms’ days are numbered.
If you listed the most difficult jobs in the world, would parenting be at or near the top? Just the experience of dealing with children arguing, begging and challenging can be exhausting and frustrating for the parent or teacher.
Recently there have been a few letters written recognizing the efforts of the Arlington Firefighters Organization — Local No. 3728 of the International Association of Firefighters. I wanted to take a moment and expand on the concessions that have been taken for four consecutive years by the members of Local No. 3728 and recognize their efforts.
Arlington High School is an ever-bustling hub of activity during the school day that rarely slows before the first bell at 7:55 a.m. and after the final bell at 2:30 p.m. Throughout the halls and classroom, extra-curricular and cross-curricular activities are abundant.
Every week, 100 Western Washington women are diagnosed with breast cancer, which continues to be the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S., after skin cancer. We don’t yet know the exact causes of breast cancer, and many myths about breast cancer continue to exist. But probably the best way to prevent and survive a breast cancer diagnosis is to be informed.
You may be well aware of vitamin D’s part in building better bones, but did you know it might also help in prevention of breast cancer? Unfortunately, many of us in the Northwest are not getting enough vitamin D. Overweight individuals are at increased risk of low vitamin D levels, possibly because excess fat absorbs and holds onto vitamin D, making it unavailable to the body.
In Arlington Public Schools we dedicate a portion of the maintenance and operations levy to support technology in our schools. Have you ever wondered how it is being used to support your student? There are some exciting new tools that our Technology Department is implementing to help both teachers and students.
As we begin this new school year, we celebrate the progress we’ve made, address the challenges ahead (also known as “probletunities”) and we commit to providing the time, tools and talent needed to ensure every child, every hour, every day learns to high standards.
