NTPS SUCCESS Summer 2009 - North Thurston Public Schools

NTPS
success!
A REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY SUMMER 2009
North Thurston Public Schools
Committed to excellence:
Providing every student the academic and life
skills necessary to succeed in a diverse world.
District News
BOUNDARIES: In a continual effort to adjust to growth and balance enrollment in
our secondary schools, new school boundary changes adopted in October 2008 will take
effect this fall.
NEW SCHOOL OPENINGS: Two new NTPS schools will open their doors this fall:
Aspire Middle School for the Performing Arts, at 5900 54th Ave; and Chambers Prairie
Elementary at 6501 Virginia St.
BUDGET UPDATE: The board will vote to adopt the 2009-10 school budget on August
24 (public hearing August 10). Earlier this year they solicited public feedback on $4.8
million in proposed cuts which will be part of the new budget. A draft of the operating
budget is online and public comment is welcome.
For more information on the above items, visit www.nthurston.k12.wa.us or
call 360-412-4400
NTPS graduates head to the future with skills for success
A steady river of Timberline High School graduates
robed in green satin streamed down the aisle
at the Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion
on June 15, marking the district’s final high school
graduation for 2008-09. Some students decorated
their caps elaborately or wore layers of flowers
and necklaces. Others skipped down the aisle arm
in arm during the jovial procession under an arch
of green and gold balloons.
These and others from the Class of 2009 certainly
have reason to celebrate. This year, 810 students
graduated from North Thurston Public Schools
four high schools. They were offered nearly $6.5
million in scholarships and will go on to many
prestigious 4-year universities across the nation,
as well as join the military, attend community
colleges, pursue vocational degrees and apprenticeships
and careers. Some of them, including
South Sound High School’s Amber Campbell and
Jordan Malizio, are also parents. Their children
can be proud that both their moms received numerous
scholarships and will be attending college
to pursue careers in nursing and dental hygiene.
Timberline 2009 graduates (left to right): Steven Svach, Brittany Berin, Jordan Bowen,
Miranda King and Jared Thorne.
North Thurston Public Schools is proud of all our
graduates and thank their families and the community
for the support they have given their students
and the schools over the last year (Note: To
see a list of our Top Seniors, turn to our “Student
Achievement” section on back)!
North Thurston welcomes new Superintendent Raj Manhas
Photo provided by The Olympian
Raj Manhas
When people ask Raj
Manhas why he chose to apply
for North Thurston Public
Schools Superintendent
position earlier this year, his
face lights up with a smile.
“This district has a reputation
for progress, diversity
and collaboration which all
really attracted me here…
this is where I want to be,”
said the former Chief Operations Officer and
Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools who
replaces retiring Dr. Jim Koval on July 1. During
his time in Seattle, Manhas helped erase a
$35 million budget deficit and build community
support, including more than 70 percent voter
levy approval.
A self-proclaimed “people person,” Manhas
came to Seattle from India in 1973 to pursue a
Master’s in Engineering from the University of
Washington. He then built a successful banking
career before moving into the public sector
as Director of Operations for Seattle Public
Utilities. From there he was recruited by Seattle
Public Schools. He plans to use his successful
outreach techniques from his time in Seattle at
North Thurston Public Schools, along with a focus
on transparency and student achievement.
“I hope to spend a lot of time listening and getting
to know the different communities within
the district,” Manhas said. Manhas and his wife
Rana have already settled into their new home
in the Jubilee community, where he looks forward
to trail walks and hopefully a little gardening.
“Lacey is a beautiful community and I look
forward to exploring the area this summer and
meeting people.”
The School Board unanimously selected
Manhas from three candidates after an extensive
superintendent search, interviews and community
input process last April. “We’re excited
about the energy and diverse background Mr.
Manhas will bring to our district,” said Board
President Aaron Owada.
To invite Mr. Manhas to a public or community
meeting this summer or fall, contact Exec. Asst.
Stephanie Holmstrom at (360) 412-4413.
360-412-4400/www.nthurston.k12.wa.us

2
D i s t r i c t N e w s
School board names performing
arts building after Dr. Koval
Retiring Koval looks forward to time with family
Timberline Chamber Choir members serenade Dr. Jim Koval at his retirement celebration on June 11.
A standing-room only crowd gathered at the Lacey
Community Center last month to celebrate the
40-year educational career and retirement of Dr.
Jim Koval. The ceremony included a personalized
performance by the Timberline Chamber Choir; a
humorous “roast” by colleagues Tony Hawkins,
Karen Eitreim, Ed Smith and others; two official
proclamations by Governor Gregoire and Lacey
City Council; and the naming of the Performing
Arts Center at North Thurston High School after
Dr. Koval by the School Board.
Amidst packing up his office, Dr. Koval took the
time to reflect on his career at North Thurston and
most importantly, teaching and learning:
Q: What made you decide to go into teaching in
the first place and what kept you in North Thurston
Public Schools (NTPS) in particular?
A: In all likelihood, I made my mind up when I
was in Junior High School. I had met a first year
teacher when I was in the 8th grade who also was
the basketball coach. I became very close to him
(and remain so to this day). By the time I was ready
to decide on a college, I knew it would need to be
noted for its teacher education program so I ended
up at Central Washington and the rest is history.
As for NTPS, my wife Diane grew up here. We met
in college and her desire to live in or as close to
Lacey as possible made the decision pretty easy.
Q: When you were a teacher, what was one of your
biggest “a-ha” moments?
A: I think the biggest “a-ha” moment was my realization
early on that I could make a difference if I
accomplished what we ask teachers to do now – be
engaging, create relevancy and establish relationships.
I learned that during my first year and that
has carried forth throughout my career.
Q: How do you think student achievement in
NTPS has improved over the last 10 years under
your leadership?
A: I would hope we have established more relevancy
and rigor for students at all levels. I believe our
ability to be clear about standards across all grade
levels and content areas (what we expect students
to learn and demonstrate they have learned such),
the improvement and enhancement of how, when
and why we assess students and finally how we
will use such data to improve our instruction has
greatly improved student achievement over the
past 10 years. But perhaps more importantly is
our continuing belief that all students can learn
and be successful which has made us look at and
think about student achievement and instruction
more intentionally than ever before.
Q: What are the biggest public education challenges
facing our community in the future?
A: In our community I still believe the biggest issues/challenges
will be growth, an ever increasing
diverse student population and fiscal matters.
In the immediate future my concerns rest primarily
with budget issues. As the state’s revenues
continue to fall and as we look ahead over the next
few years, I see continued reductions in school
budgets and the implications of such. Decisions as
to how to respond with fewer resources will continue
to be important if we want our current level
of community support to not diminish.
Q: What are your plans for retirement? Do you
think you’ll go back to teaching?
A: My plans for the immediate future include time
with family, a trip to the East Coast to visit major
league baseball parks and the celebration of our
40th wedding anniversary. I also envision a time
of adjustment for me personally as I leave the
school district and my routines that have emerged
from my position and transition to a different lifestyle
as a result.
NTEA TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
The North Thurston Education Assc. announced
the 2008-09 “NTEA Teachers of
the Year” selected by their schools for their
contributions to staff and students at the
NTEA’s Celebration on June 3. They are:
Kevin Rus (North Thurston), Phil Lonborg
(River Ridge), Kim Mason (Timberline),
Michael Lee (Chinook), Kristen Sprague
and Quinn Crowell (Nisqually), Linda
Karamatic and Chris Traber (Horizons),
Nancy Hall (Lacey), Linnea Glover (Mountain
View), Gail Nash (Pleasant Glade),
Victoria Wilmovsky and Peggi Stuart (South
Bay) and Janet Jones (Woodland).
New Faces: Leadership changes at
several schools
Serenity Malloy from Steilacoom
High School has been
hired as the new Asst. Principal
at North Thurston High
School to replace Kirsten Rae
who will become Chinook
Middle School’s new principal.
Current Chinook Princi-
Serenity Malloy
pal Monica Sweet has been
hired as the new principal of Aspire Middle
School for the Performing Arts.
Paul Dean, a Timberline CTE teacher and the
school’s athletic director, will replace Timberline
Assistant Principal Rich Yelenich who
will be the new principal at South Sound High
School next year.
Joyce Ott will become the new
principal at Komachin Middle
School. Ms. Ott most recently
served as principal at Eisenhower
Middle School in Everett.
Joyce replaces Julie Phipps
who has held that post for the
past three years.
Allison Shepard
Allison Shepard, from Tacoma
School District, has been
hired as the new principal at
Meadows Elementary to replace
retiring principal Carol
O’Connell.
Multicultural awards
Members of the district’s Multicultural Advisory
Council (MAC) announced winners of two
local diversity leadership awards. The Dick
Williams award went to Yolanda Callero, a 4th
grade teacher at Lakes Elementary for her efforts
to promote multicultural awareness at her
school through their first Multicultural Fair.
Two students, Miles Coats (River Ridge) and
Aubrey Owada (North Thurston), received the
Bonnie Evans award for making a significant
difference in their school and/or community in
the area of diversity and multicultural leadership.
The volunteer group also announced results
of the 11 MAC grants of $10,000 distributed
through 9 schools. The group estimates
these grants impacted 1,500 students. To serve
on the MAC committee next year contact your
school principal or call 360-412-4498.
Congratulations 2009 Retirees!
Joyce Ott
Certified Retirees:
Christine Absher (Komachin)
Nancy Baldwin (Lydia Hawk)
Mark Battle (North Thurston)
Gordon Boyd (Horizons)
Gwendolyn Cruz (River Ridge)
Donna Edwards (Chinook)
Linnea Glover ( Mountain View)
Diane Greaves ( Mountain View)
Jean Havens (Pleasant Glade)
Sherry Keating (Mountain View)
Kathy Knobel (River Ridge)
Dr. James Koval (District Office)
Michael Lee (Chinook)
Jim Padula (South Bay)
Victoria Salzberg (Chinook)
Richard Sauers (South Sound)
Margaret Stuart (South Bay)
Roy Shaw (North Thurston)
Classified Retirees:
Jacalyn Lange (Olympic View)
Peggy Snyder (Chinook)
Sandra Narrance (North Thurston)
Blanche Crist (Pleasant Glade)
Kathryn Komenda (Olympic View)

S t u d e n t A c h i e v e m e n t 3
Students shine at state energy competition
North Thurston Futurists: Michael Arguelles, Codi Fiman, Kathy McSorley, Sam Brazil and Thomas Larson
As part of the WSU “Imagine Tomorrow” competition (www.imagine.wsu.edu), several local teams with
students from North Thurston High School and one from River Ridge High School conducted their own
extensive energy research that could help power our future. Projects ranged from a totally self-sustaining
floating city to a federal aid proposal that would encourage affordable energy-efficient renovations for
the average citizen. NTHS alum and Olympian environmental reporter John Dodge stopped by to interview
the students after their great showing at WSU. “There’s some fear in knowing what might happen,
NTPS students win state and national honors
NORTH THURSTON
HIGH SCHOOL
Junior Mackenzie Halbert
received a perfect
score of 2400 on
her SAT - a feat fewer
than 300 achieve out
of 1.5 million students
who take the SAT
each year! A talented violin player in
North Thurston’s chamber orchestra
and Student Orchestras of Greater
Olympia, she hopes to attend Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and
major in physics. Elliott Appel, a senior,
recently won a national award
for his essay, “Resilient Voices.” Out
of 7,000 essays submitted to the national
Holocaust Remembrance Project
contest, Elliott is one of the 10 first
place winners! The only student on
the west coast to make the top 10,
he received an all expenses-paid trip
to Chicago in June and a cash award.
To read his essay or learn more about
the Holocaust Remembrance Project,
go to www.holocaust.hkla.com.
RIVER RIDGE
HIGH SCHOOL
River Ridge Dance Team received
excellent ratings in three categories
at the state competition. They took
home 1st place in the Color Guard/
Prop Production category and finished
in the top five in both the dance
and Hip Hop categories. Way to go
coach Aja Dale and the River Ridge
Dance team!
River Ridge’s Young Lee and Erich
Schmitz were selected as Washington
Aerospace Scholars for 2009. They
were among 260 talented juniors
from across the state accepted into
the first phase of Washington Aerospace
Scholars (WAS). Also chosen
for phase two, they will be among 160
students who participate in a six-day
summer residency.
SOUTH SOUND
HIGH SCHOOL
As part of the Washington State Music
Mentor Program, students Mafi Su’a
and D’Vante Jackson won a $4,000
scholarship to Washington D.C. next
year to attend the Community Anti-
Drug Coalitions of America Leadership
Conference. The duo wrote a
song called “Struggles,” which chronicles
their own life challenges with
family, poverty, gambling, and jail.
Su’a says that South Sound teacher
Kevin Head really helped turn his
life around from one of crime and
delinquency to focus on school and
his music. “He made me realize I was
headed for a jail cell or the grave. He
helped me flip my life around and say
no to the wrong things.” Su’a plans
to ultimately attend The Evergreen
State College to pursue a degree in
audio production. Jackson hopes to
get a full-ride scholarship to a 4-year
college and double major in law and
music. To learn more about the students
and the Music Mentor program
you can view their You Tube
video at http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=asfcgVn--6Y.
TIMBERLINE
HIGH SCHOOL
Blazer news magazine staff took 2nd
in the “Best of Show” competition at
the National High School Journalism
Convention in May, against 3,000
student journalists from across the
U.S. In the Individual competitions,
Madhura Panjini was the overall
winner in “Newspaper Layout,”
while Victoria Zoller tied with two
other students for the top “Copy
Editing” award. Other convention
winners were Nathan Morr, Sean
Van Ausdal and E.J. Hardebeck.
Congrats to these students and
other staff, along with advisor Dan
Hardebeck. In sports, Timberline senior
Cameron Peck became the 2008
U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Champion
and was named Rolex junior Player
of the Year.
CAREER & TECHNICAL ED
DECA National
Competitors:
NTPS
students traveled
to Anaheim,
CA to
compete in
the DECA
National Competition. Nick Barr
and Elizabeth Hanson - Sports and
Entertainment Management (1st in
their Role Play Top 20 out of over
200 teams nationally); Paul Langer,
but, at the same time, it’s fun trying to think of new
ways to adapt to climate change,” student Bernie
Viray told Dodge.
The “Eden Prime” project won the “Global Impact
Award,” and included alternative forms of
alternative energy and two multi-storied geodesic
domes. An “Alternative Hydrogen Production”
project, which combined a mechanical engine with
a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen, took 2nd
in the technology division and included $6,000 in
prize money to be split between the students and
academic advisor Rich Horger for science club
activities. The statewide competition included
37 schools broken down into 92 teams. Only 23
awards total were given.
“These kids were forward-thinking and really
imagined the future as it could be,” said coordinator
Kathy McSorley. NTHS was the only high
school in the county that entered the contest. Students
included: Team 1 (Eden Prime): Loc Hua,
Bernie Viray and Daniel Mast (RRHS student);
Team 2 (alternative hydrogen production): Alex
Dunsmoor, Casey Pruitt, and Kyle Murphy; Team
3 (Greenstead Act): Codi Fiman, Sam Brazil, Michael
Arguelles , and Thomas Larson. Congrats
to all!
Top Seniors
(3.75 GPA or better):
North Thurston: Elliott Appel, Ana
Ordonez, Lena Macomson, Samantha
Dexter, Kodi Wilson, Zak Baker, Ellen
Johnson, Aubrey Owada, Marilyn
McKenzie, Taylor Miller, Stacia Delimont,
Christina Wichman, Seung Lee, Brittany
Peterson, Patrick Dion, Andrea Solveson,
Anneke Meulblok, Negheen Kamkar, Loc
Hua, Tamara Lohr, Kara Fisk, Andrew
Reid, Calder Russell and Andrew Jones.
Timberline: Brittany Berin, Matthew
Hubbard, Miranda King, Tony Nguyen,
Madhura Panjini, Jessie Sheppard,
Heather Orse, Alexander Kegley,
Kimberly Vivian, Lindsay Keith, Nathan
Morr, Sean Olson, Trevor Crump, Ronnie
Hamlin, Carl Ingram, Virginia Bice,
Angelica Grizzle, Kayla Graff, Andre
Green, Jose J. Ortiz, Kyle Shanda, Saem
Yi Pak, Daniel Fowler, Evan Pacheco,
Chelsea Mercer, Brittany Pacheco,
Rochelle Moore and Peter Lee.
River Ridge: Bethany Jensen, Cody
Miller, Gabrielle Christianson, Hannah
Norby, Jimmy Kang, Anna Grzankowski,
Blake Geyen, Atia Musazay, Janel
Stripling, Daniel Mast, Bjornar Riley,
Alisha Ghanie, Lucy Crisostomo, Cameron
Tucker, Juan Martinez, Jessica Tarvin,
Jacob Cuthbertson.
South Sound High School (the eight
South Sound students with the highest
GPA): Amber Campbell, Sabrina Zamora,
Jordan Malizio, Jessie Romero, Brad
Hinson, Mariah King, Ariel Miller, Jesse
White .
Julian Jordan, and Shelby Hoover
- School-Based Enterprise Academy;
Coty Wargnier - Senior Management
Institute; David Steger - Leadership
Development Academy.

4
Arts
Alive!
River Ridge’s “Little Women” stage
crew honored: The River Ridge production
of “Little Women, The Musical” won “Outstanding
Stage Crew” recently at the annual
5th Avenue Theatre awards. More than 160
schools from all over the state participated,
including Timberline High School.
State Music Stars:
Congrats to the following students and
groups who performed recently at the state
Solo and Ensemble competition in Ellensburg,
including:
NORTH THURSTON HIGH SCHOOL
Band, Darren Johnson , Director
Emily Lunbeck and Katie Sammons -
small woodwind ensemble (Excellent); Jake
Langston - Tuba (Excellent); Antonio
Huizar - Bassoon (Excellent); Michael
Arguelles - Alto Saxophone (Superior);
Elliot Anderson - Oboe - (Superior)
Orchestra, Grant Sears, Director
Nic Peterson, Mackenzie Halbert, Ana
Ordonez, and Marissa Lewis played in the
small strings division and played beautifully.
They received three superior ratings from
the judges. Nic Peterson also played in the
violin solo division and also received three
superior ratings.
Vocal, Randy Poff, Director
A Men’s Trio: Caleb Anderton, Nolan
Armstrong and Loc Hua received a 2 or
excellent rating. The Jazz Choir and Men’s
Ensemble received a 1 or superior rating.
TIMBERLINE HIGH SCHOOL
Vocal, Terry Shaw, Director
The Timberline Chamber Choir
scored a Superior with three 1’s
Thespians qualify
for nationals: Timberline’s
drama
program rose to
the top amongst
30 schools and 800
drama students from
across the state and
Canada at Western
Washington University in March, to showcase
a national-qualifying musical duo team
and earn a superior rating for their school
play Bang Bang You’re Dead. Timberline’s
Angie Sink and John Redmond, who
qualified for nationals, were selected as the
outstanding musical duet. River Ridge senior
Henry Van Leishout also qualified for
nationals in Lincoln, NE.
Attention Senior Citizens:
Call 360-412-4418
for a Golden Passport to
gain free admission to events.
NTPS Success is published by North Thurston
Public Schools to provide school and education
information to the residents of the school district.
Send your ideas/comments to:
Communications & Community Relations:
360-412-4418,
cschrieve@nthurston.k12.wa.us
Courtney Schrieve, Director & Publications Editor
Jessica Palmer, Publication Design
www.abcprinting.net
Proud NTPS sponsor!
C o m m u n i t y C o n n e c t i o n s
Lacey Fire Department honored for
lifesaving efforts at Mountain View
Members of the Lacey Fire Department were honored recently at an assembly
by Mountain View Elementary for their heroic efforts in reviving Phillip
Peck, a third grader who had collapsed on the playground. Lacey medics
used a defibrillator and CPR to resuscitate the third-grader, who eventually
was taken to Mary Bridge Hospital and is now back at school with a pacemaker
-- and playing four square with a vengeance. “Mountain View is such
a very caring community” said Phillip’s mother, Aggie Peck. “We’ve been to
a lot of schools and this one is very personal -- like a very big family. I trust
sending him to school here -- he loves it!” Phillip also loved the firefighter
hat given to him by the Lacey Fire Dept. As part of the ceremony, Principal
Randy Weeks also recognized the paraeducators on playground duty, Jodi
Boutin, Carol Brooks and Patty Parr, for tending to Phillip and supervising
the other children still at recess. Since the event, many of the staff has taken a
refresher course in CPR and First Aid.
NTPS public employees help “Stuff the
Bus” for local families in need
Under the leadership of NTPS bus driver Jonni Lissner, Public School Employees
of the North Thurston Chapter reached out to help local families as
part of the 2nd annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign. Stationed in the Costco
parking lot at Hawks Prairie, the group collected nearly $5,000 worth of food,
donations and other items for local community organizations, including the
North Thurston Education Foundation, South Sound Reading Foundation,
YWCA Other Bank and the Thurston County Food Bank. “It’s our way of
giving back to the kids we see every day and those families in need throughout
our community - not just Lacey,” Lissner said.
High Schools
NTHS, RRHS, THS: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
SSHS: 8 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
Middle Schools
CMS, KMS, NMS: 9:20 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Aspire: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Elementary Schools
Time #1: 8:15 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
Horizons, Lakes, Lydia Hawk,
Pleasant Glade
2009-10 SCHOOL HOURS
Time #2: 8:20 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Seven Oaks
Time #3: 8:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Evergreen Forest, Chambers Prairie,
Olympic View, South Bay
Time #4: 8:45 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Lacey, Meadows, Mtn. View, Woodland
Early Release Wednesdays - All schools release
90 minutes early.
Kindergarten times and early release schedules
are available at the schools.
North Thurston Public Schools complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap. This holds true for all district employment opportunities. Inquiries
regarding compliance and grievance procedures may be directed to the School District’s Title IX Officer, Section 504
Coordinator and/or A.D.A. Coordinator, Brian Wharton, 305 College St. NE, Lacey, WA 98516-5390, 360-412-4456.
We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers as per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of
1986. North Thurston Public Schools is a drug-free/tobacco-free workplace (Policy 5258).
NTPS SUCCESS! SUMMER 2009
ECRWSS
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North Thurston Public Schools
305 College Street NE
Lacey, WA 98516-5390
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PAID
Olympia, WA
Permit No. 329
2009-10
DISTRICT CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2009
Sept 9: First Day of School
Sept 16: District Early Release
Sept 30: District Early Release
OCTOBER 2009
Oct 2: Teacher Professional Dev. - No School
Oct 14: District Early Release
Oct 28: District Early Release
Oct 29-30: K-12 Conferences - No School
NOVEMBER 2009
Nov 6: End of Quarter
Nov 11: Veteran’s Day - No School
Nov 25: District Early Release
Nov 26-27: Thanksgiving Break - No School
DECEMBER 2009
Dec 4: Teacher Professional Dev. - No School
Dec 9: District Early Release
Dec 21 –Dec 31: Winter Break - No School
JANUARY 2010
Jan 1: New Year’s Day-No School
Jan 13: District Early Release
Jan 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Jan 27: District Early Release
Jan 28: End of Quarter/Semester
Jan 29: Semester Prep Day-No School
FEBRUARY 2010
Feb 10: District Early Release
Feb 15-16: Presidents’ Day Wknd - No School
Feb 24: District Early Release
Feb 26: Teacher Professional Dev. - No School
MARCH 2010
Mar 10: District Early Release
Mar 24: District Early Release
Mar 25-26: K-12 Conferences - No School
APRIL 2010
Apr 5-9: Spring Break - No School
Apr 16: End of Quarter
Apr 21: District Early Release
MAY 2010
May 5: District Early Release
May 19: District Early Release
May 31: Memorial Day - No School
JUNE 2010
Jun 2: District Early Release
Jun 16: District Early Release
Jun 23: Last Day of School
1/2 Day Early Release—All schools
(Last day of school subject to change due to
weather or other emergency closures throughout
the year)