Notes from Shoreline School District meeting March 5

Shoreline School Board Meeting March 5, 2012

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The future of Room Nine

The board heard evidence that Room Nine Community School’s enrollment has been declining over the past five years from 135 students in the 2007-2008 year to 88 students this year and therefore the cost per student has increased. 

The directors agreed that by the next board meeting they would consider either continuing the program as is, reconfiguring it to K-6, or incorporating the school into Meridian Park Elementary. 

Superintendent Walker said that parents need to know how to plan for next year. Director Wilson asked if they could put the 7-8th grade on hold for a year to see if the enrollment increased. Several parents said that part of the appeal of Room Nine came from the K-8 option. The parents wondered if once dropped if grades 7-8 would ever return. Director Ehrlichman said she appreciated the independence of Room Nine School for families who don’t fit into regular programs. Director Wilson said, “We have to figure out a way to make it work so families know they can count on the program.”

Extended Day Kindergarten successful for low performing students

The district’s Extended Day Kindergarten Program to benefit low income low performing elementary students is a success. Dr Ellen Kaje and several Principals from schools qualifying for Title I funds presented data that 70% of students who participated in the Extended Day Kindergarten reached the benchmark goal by the end of kindergarten and 60% remained at benchmark by the end of first grade.

Home Education students win trophies in Robotics tournament

Home Education Coordinator Ron Jones introduced two teams of eight middle school aged students which had won trophies at the LEGO League’s Robotics State Championship Tournament. The students built and programmed a small robot to accomplish specified tasks, investigated a research topic: methods to prevent food contamination, proposed a solution and developed a presentation.

Dads volunteer at Briarcrest

Briarcrest principal Jonathan Nessan and Briarcrest Parent Josh Visser told the board about the Briarcrest Watchdogs who are fathers and father figures who spend time in the school welcoming students, sitting and mentoring students in class, connecting with students at lunch and recess. They become a visible presence in the building and an integral part of the school community.