Pine Lake Middle School Geography Bee tests young minds
January 22, 2013
Pine Lake Middle School students Ethan Hines (left) and Arjun Malhotra had to answer several tiebreaker questions in the championship round of the school’s geography bee. By Lillian O’Rorke
What Chinese river does the Three Gorges Dam span? The city of Baltimore is next to what large bay? In what city is the Suleymaniye Mosque, which was built to honor the 16th century Ottoman ruler?
Issaquah School Board seeks applicants for vacancy
January 22, 2013
A seat on the Issaquah School Board is up for grabs.
Board member Chad Magendanz left the position when he resigned Jan. 9 in order to start his new job in the state Legislature.
The remaining four board members have 90 days to appoint a new representative from Issaquah’s fourth district, from the Issaquah Highlands through the downtown corridor south to Tiger Mountain and Mirrormont.
All voting-aged residents of that area are invited to apply for the position by 4 p.m. Feb. 14. The new member would need to serve the remainder of Magendanz’s term, through November 2013.
Skyline High School student petitions for disability rights
January 22, 2013
On Dec. 4, when the U.S. Senate failed to ratify a United Nations Treaty, the Convention for Rights and Persons with Disabilities, Skyline High School senior Joshua Schaier had something to say about it.
Schaier said he was upset by the rejection of the treaty, which is meant to protect the basic human rights of people with disabilities around the world.
“I didn’t think it was right that the United States fail in their duty to help protect people everywhere, including people with disabilities,” Schaier said.
Issaquah School District superintendent to retire in June
January 15, 2013
Steve Rasmussen, Issaquah School District superintendent, sits in his office Jan. 14. The 62-year-old educator plans to bid farewell to the district when he retires June 30. By Lillian O’Rorke
Superintendent Steve Rasmussen intends to retire June 30 after leading the Issaquah School District for six years.
Liberty High School rallies for heart health awareness
January 15, 2013
Liberty High School is selling Rock the Beat T-shirts to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Contributed
Dawn McCutcheon didn’t think it could happen to her.
In 2009, at just 38 years old, the Sammamish mother of two suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, changing her life forever.
“When my cardiac arrest happened, it was definitely a surprise and definitely a long road of recovery trying to come to terms with the fact that now I live with a pacemaker and it’s something that I have to live with for the rest of my life,” she said.
Rather than dwelling on her predicament, the 1989 Liberty High School graduate sprung into action, working to educate those around her about heart disease, as a volunteer, and eventually employee, of the American Heart Association.
“It’s just now my mission personally and professionally to educate,” she said.
Her alma mater has decided to join the cause, hosting a “Red Out for Heart” event in the spirit of raising awareness about heart disease, while collecting donations for the American Heart Association.
Video contest aims to combat alcohol, drugs
January 15, 2013
The Issaquah Community Network and Drug Free Community Coalition want sixth- to 12th-grade students to create short commercials telling their friends how to resist alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug temptations.
Commercials should be two minutes or less in length and submitted by Feb. 28. A grand prize of $800 will be awarded to the best video. Other prizes include first, second and third place prizes of $100, $75 and $50 in the categories of Most Influential Alcohol Video, Most Influential Marijuana Video and Most Influential Prescription Drug Video.
Find complete details, entry requirements and an entry form at www.issaquahcommunitynetwork.com. Click on the link labeled “video contest.” Email questions to Dianne Bugge or Caryn Cissna at icnvideocontest@gmail.com.
City hosts sustainability contest for students
January 15, 2013
Students can capture a vision of sustainability on film for a city-sponsored contest.
In order to participate, respond to a series of questions in a three- to five-minute film. Entrants can create clips on a cellphone, digital camera or other video-equipped device. The questions include: What is sustainability? How do you live sustainably? What makes you happy about a sustainable future?
The contest is open to all Issaquah School District middle and high school students, as well as students in private schools within Issaquah city limits. Films should be in .mov, .mp4, .mpeg or .avi formats. The entry deadline is Feb. 2.
Issaquah School District offers free preschool
January 15, 2013
The Issaquah School District invites parents of preschool-aged children to apply for free early childhood education courses.
The district is looking for typically developing youngsters to be a part of early childhood education classrooms that serve children with special needs at Apollo, Discovery and Sunset elementary schools.
Students must be at least 3 years old by April 15 to participate. Interested parents can pick up an application and get more information at the main offices of Apollo, Discovery or Sunset.
Liberty High School students save gorillas — one cellphone at a time
January 8, 2013
Liberty High School freshman biology students James Workman, Kenna Hanses and Isabel Rivas are collecting used cell phones to help save gorilla habitat. Workman holds a painting by Ivan the gorilla, which the class received for its altruistic efforts. By Lillian O’Rorke
Above the whiteboard in Diane Allen’s biology classroom at Liberty High School hangs an abstract painting.
University of Washington offers program for students with disabilities
January 8, 2013
The University of Washington’s DO-IT Scholars program invites applications from Washington state high school sophomores and juniors with disabilities who are interested in preparing for college and challenging careers.
DO-IT, which stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology, introduces high school students with disabilities to technology, peer support and work-based learning in an effort to help them be successful in a college environment.
Now in its 21st year, the program selects about 16 students to participate annually. It is looking for students with a disability such as a mobility impairment, learning disability, sensory impairment or health condition who want to meet other college-bound students with disabilities.
