Issaquah PTSA honors outstanding volunteers at Golden Acorn Awards
April 3, 2012
The primary decorations were orange construction cones and yellow caution tape. Winners were described in terms keeping with that theme, such as construction tools or architects. One winner from the Issaquah School District PTSA Council was described as “the construction glue” that holds the council together.
Gathered in the commons of Pacific Cascade Middle School, the Issaquah PTSA Council held its annual Golden Acorn Awards ceremony March 27.
Not counting the several winners from the districtwide PTSA council, the night honored approximately 75 winners from 23 PTSA units, said Becky Lawrence, vice-president of elementary schools for the PTSA council. A committee of PTSA leaders from each school picked the winners from their individual schools, Lawrence added. As you might expect, criteria included what PTSA members have done for their schools, but also the district and their involvement in the community as a whole.
In hit-and-run accident, unidentified motorist hits, kills pets in crosswalk
March 20, 2012
Neighbors unite to comfort owner, make area safer
Troy Scholzen mourns March 15 next to the neighborhood memorial to his dogs Yogi and Jake at the crosswalk where they were killed. Below, a memorial to Yogi and Jake on Newport Way Northwest grows. By Greg Farrar
Somewhere is the hit-and-run driver of a vehicle that upended an Issaquah man’s life last week.
The driver killed two service dogs, who were on a leash in a crosswalk with the signal blinking. Their owner barely escaped serious injury.
Local students perform at state music competition
March 20, 2012
Music students from the Issaquah School District in grades five through 12 were selected to participate in the annual Washington Music Educators Association All-State Honor groups.
The Washington Music Educators Association sponsors a Youth Honor Chorus in grades five and six; junior all-state bands, choruses and orchestra for students in grades seven and eight; and high school jazz band, jazz choir, choirs, bands and orchestras for students in grades nine to 12.
Local honorees joined other students from Washington the weekend of Feb. 17 in Yakima. Students were selected after rigorous auditions. They then rehearsed together under the direction of nationally known conductors and performed final concerts.
The Pacific Cascade Middle School orchestra was the only middle school program chosen to perform as a whole at the Washington Music Educators Association conference.
Find a complete list of local students selected for the All-State program at the school district website, www.issaquah.wednet.edu. Click on link labeled “Points of Pride.”
$219 million school bond could pick up tab for carpet, construction
March 6, 2012
Voting by mail in the weeks leading up to April 17, roughly 58,000 registered voters in the Issaquah School District will have the chance to decide whether the schools can sell $219 million in bonds to pay for major renovation and maintenance projects throughout the district.
‘Speed’ food drive helps Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank at right time
February 21, 2012
The challenge was to see how many nonperishable food items could be gathered in one week.
In the end, students, families and staff members of Pacific Cascade Middle School rose to the occasion, said Tanya Hansen, food drive chairwoman. There was some concern the drive was going to stumble a bit, admitted Hansen and teacher Stan Kasemeier.
As of Feb. 13, one day before the end of the drive, the amount of food gathered was just not what they were hoping.
They need not have worried. Hansen said a surprising 1,100 items came in the last day.
Presidents Day Tournament showcases future prospects
February 14, 2012
NEW — 12:15 p.m. Feb. 14, 2012
Some future high-school girls basketball stars could be on the hardwood at this year’s Eagle Eye Presidents Day Tournament.
The annual tournament, hosted by the Issaquah Girls Basketball Association, runs Feb. 17-20. Sixty teams are entered in the event with divisions in fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade and eighth grade. In the past many players from this tournament went on to become standouts for Issaquah, Liberty and Skyline High School programs.
Games will be played at Issaquah High School, Issaquah Middle School and Pacific Cascade Middle School.
Reflections showcases students’ creative thoughts on diversity
January 17, 2012
These artworks were among the local works chosen to go on to the state level Reflections competition. This year’s national contest revolved around the theme ‘Diversity means…’ By Tom Corrigan
All in all, there were 247 examples of student creativity on display, according to Theora Dalupan, a member of the Issaquah School District PTSA Council board of directors.
Dalupan helped organize, and the district PTSA sponsored, the annual Reflections art show and reception the evening of Jan. 10 at Pacific Cascade Middle School.
Reflections is a yearly, nationwide PTSA art contest centered around a specific theme, which this year was “Diversity means…”
The work on display at Pacific Cascade represented the best entries from each district school, up to 12 per building.
“There’s some very creative ideas out there,” Dalupan said regarding the entries, which ran the spectrum from paintings and drawings to creative writing to musical pieces. Dalupan said there were also two short film entries.
Walking around the display at Pacific Cascade, one saw plenty of visual art with animal or nature themes in common. Plenty of creations had representations of people of all colors and ethnicities. Rainbows were another common symbol.
Pacific Cascade Middle School presents ‘Willy Wonka, Jr’
December 2, 2011
NEW — 3:45 p.m. Dec. 2, 2011
The Pacific Cascade Middle School Players present “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.,” at the school, 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 3 and 9, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.
The play is directed by Kelli Jaeger, with musical direction from Joellen Santos. Choreography was provided by Heather Carlyle.
The play is based on the well-known book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” by Roald Dahl.
General admission tickets are $5 at the door; $4 for students with a Pacific Middle School Associated Student Body card.
Grant awards support local projects
November 29, 2011
The Issaquah Community Network recently awarded eight grants totaling $7,000 and, according to the network, those grants are aimed at supporting local school activities and efforts to promote healthy youth and strong families.
Awards were made at the regular meeting of the Issaquah Community Network board Nov. 7.
“We were pleased to receive grant applications from a mix of previous grantees and new applicants,” said Judy Brewer, board chairwoman.
Little Leaguer selected for USA Baseball tryouts
November 22, 2011
Hiro Fujiwara is only one of three Washingtonians chosen for the event
Hiro Fujiwara (right), makes a play in a game this summer on the Issaquah Little League All-Stars. Contributed
If a baseball game is on, Hiro Fujiwara is watching it.
While he grew up watching the Seattle Mariners, he said his favorite team right now is the Boston Red Sox.
Someday, he hopes to be the one people watch — a goal not so far-fetched if he can continue to work hard, said Tom Chan, Issaquah Little League president.
“Hiro has a lot of range and a strong arm,” Chan said. “He’s one of the top pitchers for sure in Little League at the All-Star level.”
In September, the 13-year-old Pacific Cascade Middle School student joined 756 other players from across the country to participate in the 2011 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series. The series consists of players from three age groups that ultimately serve as an opportunity to be on one of USA Baseball’s national teams.
USA Baseball is the national governing body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic Team and World Cup Team, national teams and the USA Baseball Women’s National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year.
After scouts came to watch Fujiwara in action locally, he was only one of three players from Washington to be chosen for the event.
As part of the Northwest region team, Fujiwara competed against 12 other regions from across the country in the NTIS at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
