THE Bark September 2010
Welcome Bulldogs!
CONTENTS
Welcome, All Garfield Families! GHS Website ( http://ghs.seattleschools.org).
Welcome 1
An outstanding source of information about
September is here and we’re excited to start the Principal's Letter 2
everything going on at GHS.
2010–2011 school year. Our community thrives Senior Family Notes 2
by all of us pitching in—we encourage all families GHS Tracks (http://ghstracks.blogspot.com/). Tracks and Bark 2
to find a way to get involved. There are three A PTSA blog intended to give parents additional College Access Now 3
great benefits to volunteering: it helps the school, help finding essential information about Garfield. Legislative Issues 3-4
you get a feeling of satisfaction, and people who Check the Tracks for newly posted Bark articles Counselors 4
volunteer generally have a better impression of and fresher news than the monthly newsletter is Testing Info 5-6
their school. So give it a try! Contact our volunteer able to provide (see article this issue). Library Update 6
coordinator, Ann Bergman (abbergman@gmail. SAVE 7
Garfield Notes. A non-PTSA Yahoo group
com or 328-0678), or the school office, and they Garfield Calendar 8-9
email list providing information for and from
will help you find something that works for you. Nurse's Notes 10-11
parents, teachers, and staff at GHS. To subscribe,
PTSA Roster 12
This year the PTSA is continuing its focus on the send your name and how you are related to the
"What's Happening" 13-15
Read Right program, offered to students reading Garfield community to garfieldnotes-subscribe@
Membership Form 16
below grade level. Also, we are hoping to see a big yahoogroups.com.
change with the career center. Last year the career The Bark. A monthly PTSA newsletter that covers
specialist position was eliminated, so we will work school and PTSA news. Find current and back Translators: Are
to make sure students have access to the career issues under “PTSA” on the Garfield website. you available this
center this year. Another focus this year will be year? Is anyone
student safety: we will strive to keep the Seattle The Messenger. The student-written-and- willing to translate
Police Department position at Garfield. And we produced newspaper available online on the this newsletter,
Garfield website as well as by subscription. on request, into
will be doing cultural and community outreach.
Spanish, Somali,
Make sure you check out the roster and calendar Freshman families, join us for the freshman BBQ Chinese, or another
in this issue. They will give you a better idea of the September 9 at 5 pm, and if you can, stay to language?
many facets of the PTSA. You are also welcome to cheer on the girls’ soccer team as they play their Please contact
join us for monthly board meetings as well as the first home game. September 20 at 7 pm in the Teresa Nemeth
general membership meetings. Commons we’ll have our first general meeting, at 325-8320 or
zongora@gmail.com
We know keeping track of what’s happening at and we’ll cover safety, security, and navigating
Garfield is a challenge for parents, students, and Garfield. Be sure to mark your calendars for Thank you!
staff. Here are some ways to stay informed: September 30, 7 pm: it’s the Garfield Open
House (“Curriculum
Night”), preceded by Garfield is a
the Sports Boosters’ rich and varied mix of
spaghetti dinner at people participating in
6 (watch for details). sports, drama, service,
There will also be music, and all manner
meetings with of interest groups. A
counselors at 5, and lot of great things go
with administrators at unnoticed because
6:30 pm. we are all so involved
Here’s to a fabulous with our own projects.
year in the doghouse! Please consider sharing
your activities with the
Jayn Foy, PTSA wider community by
Co-President submitting an article
jaynfoy@comcast.net or photo to the Bark.
323-7785 Encourage students
David Foutch, PTSA to write, too! Send to
Co-President Teresa Nemeth, editor,
dfoutch@blarg.net zongora@gmail.com,
323-0923 tel. 325-8320. We look
forward to hearing from
PTSA board members at the annual retreat, June 5, 2010 you!
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 1
Senior Families:
Sign Up for Our Email List
How did this happen so fast?
The “One Last Year” is here!
My name is Holly Morris Jacobson and I am
the ’11 senior class rep. It is sure to be a busy
year for all of our kids and families. To keep us
From Principal together as a community and informed of all of
Ted Howard the senior activities and family matters, we have
created an ’11-specific class email list for parents
and guardians. Please send your name, student’s
Dear Garfield Families, name, and best contact info to 2011garfield@
gmail.com and we will keep you informed. We
Welcome back! We are so excited to begin this promise we won’t spam you.
school year! Our custodial staff and our teachers
have been working all summer to prepare the If you don’t have access to
school for your arrival. Rooms are clean and email, or if you have a question,
floors are polished, waiting for students. I am give me a call at 769-7185.
confident we have strategically positioned AND SAVE THE DATE FOR
our school to achieve tremendous success this GRADUATION!
school year. Without question, we will face many
new challenges in our Graduation for 2011 will be
pursuit to be a school of Tuesday, June 14.
excellence; however, I
believe we possess all the Tracks + Bark = Wedding of Web
necessary ingredients to
overcome any obstacles and Print P
To keep up with the Bark RI
and attain our goal of N
student success. online, where we are hoping
T
to post more current
Let’s make this school articles, go to GHSTracks.
year a year of many successes and great results. blogspot.com/ and look
If at any time you wish to have a conference for the Bark icon. The Tracks blog is an excellent
with your child’s teacher or teachers, please way to keep up on PTSA news. To sign up for
don’t hesitate to call us at (206) 252-2270. I look email notifications, please email Craig Seasholes
forward to meeting you and working together to at seasholes@gmail.com, or simply subscribe on
support the students here at Garfield High School. the site itself. Would you like to stop receiving
Sincerely, the Bark in your mailbox? Please email Teresa
Nemeth at zongora@gmail.com OR, mark your
Ted Howard ✃
preferences on this form, clip it, and return it
with the rest of your first-day packet forms.
G H S T R AC K S
Name:
Email:
I would like to sign up for Tracks blog notifications.
I would like to stop receiving the Bark by mail.
Current mailing address for Bark (if you checked the box above):
(Street Address) (Apt, Unit #)
(City) (State) (Zip Code)
2 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
College Access Now Is Recruiting
Qualified Juniors Who Want to
Go to College!
By Greg Abbott
If your student is an incoming junior, would like
to attend college, has at least a 2.0 grade average,
and qualifies for free or reduced-price student
lunch, then College Access Now (CAN) is the
program for you and your student. With the start
of the new academic year, CAN will be recruiting
about 30 motivated juniors to work with our
wonderful staff of AmeriCorps volunteers on-site
at Garfield to begin the process of identifying
colleges your student will apply to when he or
she is a senior, writing first drafts of the personal
essays that most colleges require, getting ready
to take a college entrance test (ACT), and visiting Garfield CAN class of 2010
colleges that are very interested in getting to
know prospective students as early as their junior with the juniors. Our wonderful program director,
year. Jennie Flaming, is often at Garfield during the
week providing oversight and support for the
The juniors will attend a weekly after-school
program.
session geared to preparing the student for the
intense period in the fall and winter of senior If your student is a senior, but missed out on CAN
year when applications must be sent and financial last year, let us know. We can’t promise to take
aid forms and scholarship applications have to any additional seniors into the program at this
be submitted. CAN has been very successful at point, but there may be a lot of assistance that we
accommodating schedule complications and can still provide.
extracurricular activities, so don’t be deterred!
We look forward to meeting a great new group
The CAN program is free of charge. It is of juniors this year, who will become the CAN
appropriate for students who wish to go to a grads of the future with the opportunity to go to
two- or four-year college or university, including college!
community college, Washington state universities,
and private and public institutions of higher Greg Abbott is PTSA liaison to CAN and a CAN
education throughout the United States. CAN board member and volunteer counselor.
has consistently received fantastic institutional
support from Mr. Howard, the counseling staff,
teachers at Garfield, and the PTSA.
We have had a 100% success rate for several Legislative Issues: Hot!
years with participating students. CAN graduates
currently attend Washington community colleges By Janis Traven
and universities and many of the most highly
regarded private colleges and universities,
including Amherst, Bowdoin, Stanford, Hello all, and welcome back from what I hope was
Occidental, Pomona, and many others. Of critical a refreshing summer. I’m your legislative chair,
importance: these students have, with CAN’s Janis Traven (mom of junior Harrison Linsey),
help, been able to obtain necessary financial aid and my role is to represent you at the State PTA
from their chosen colleges and from many private Legislative Assembly in October. Before, during,
scholarship sources. and after that time, I’ll keep you informed
on what legislative issues and elections affect
Even if you haven’t previously given college much Garfield, and I’ll provide you with the information
thought, now is the time! We would love to meet and tools to become grassroots activists.
your student and answer any questions you or
your student may have. If you think that following legislative issues
regarding education is yawn inducing, think
Our on-site staff of AmeriCorps volunteers
again. This is some of the hottest action around—
includes Katie Panhorst, a 2010 Middlebury
and you and your students get to make a huge
grad who will work with CAN seniors, and Craig
difference in the outcome.
Pilawski, a 2006 grad of Western Michigan
University. Craig will be the point person working Continued on page 4
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 3
Legislative notes continued from page 3 deadlines. The scholarship profile is also
due on October 1 to be considered for several
While the past legislative of the select scholarships. Submitting a late
session produced progress scholarship profile may mean missed scholarship
in education reform, it was opportunities.
not significant enough for
All Grade Levels: Here’s one more reminder
the state to be a contender
to mark your calendar for Curriculum Night,
for Race to the Top funding.
September 30. Counselors will be available at 5
There will be ongoing
pm to meet with grade levels in designated areas.
challenges to maintaining
Please follow the directions on signs.
the current funding for
education. Grade Changes, PE Waivers, and Occupational
Education Waivers: The deadline for grade
I know, however, that changes is in early October. Please verify that your
continuing presence of PE waivers from last year’s spring sports have
PTA parents in legislative offices (Parent Power) makes a huge difference in been processed by checking your academic history.
Olympia. I encourage you to write, call, email, or visit your elected officials The deadline for last-semester PE waivers and
and let them know what you think. Often! occupational education waivers is October 1. The
next deadlines are in March, so plan ahead!
More on the State PTA Legislative Assembly in the next issue. Until then, feel
Progress Reports and End of First Quarter: To
free to contact me at 285-7375 or janistraven@comcast.net.
assist you in monitoring your student’s progress,
progress reports and report cards are mailed out
every 5 weeks. The first 5-week progress reports
will be mailed shortly after October 15, and the
Notes from the Counseling Office first-quarter report cards will be mailed shortly
after November 15. Please check the Source for
By Ken Courtney
additional updates on your student’s progress.
Welcome to the start of a new year, from the counseling office! You may also request that your student pick up a
progress report in the counseling office to hand
A key for success is communication. The Bark continues to be a great
carry to any or all of their teachers, at any time you
resource, as well as Garfield Notes, Tracks (get signed up with the PTSA),
want!
and the Daily Bulletin (available online at the Garfield website www.ghs.
seattleschools.org). The Source is also a great way to communicate with your Reminder: Go to the GHS website for the Daily
student’s teacher (there is a link to teacher emails!) and to stay up on their Bulletin. Keep informed!
progress.
Have a GREAT year!
The start-of-school packet contains some very important papers. Please
read them carefully. Verify that your phone numbers (home, work, and cell!) COUNSELING OFFICE
are correct, and add your email if you haven’t already! This will make sure that
you get school mailings and will help school staff keep you informed of your Office Hours: 7:45–2:45 on school days.
student’s progress. Secretary Nicole Petty 252-2304
All students should have Naviance accounts (the 9th graders will be added Fax 252-2412
soon and will receive their orientation). If a correct email is used, we are able
to send out mass emails to students notifying them of important dates and COUNSELOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
issues. Please remind them to update their account! Grade 9 / College and Career Center
Each year we have students who miss out on benefits because they do not manager:
fill out the Free Lunch Form completely—it’s not only about food! Be Leanne Hust 252-2364
sure that you sign up for these benefits by checking all the boxes and signing lkhust@seattleschools.org
the front of the form. This puts your student’s name on a list to receive free
college tests and admission waivers, as well as class fee waivers and much Grades 10–12:
more!
A–Ha Sam Labi 252-2365
Seniors: The counselors will be meeting individually with their seniors slabi@seattleschools.org
regarding graduation and post–high school plans. This often involves the
He–O Ray Willis 252-2367
letter of recommendation and college application process. Make sure that
rewillis@seattleschools.org
your senior does this important senior meeting beginning the third week of
September! P–Z Ken Courtney 252-2366
kcourtney@seattleschools.org
October 1 is the deadline to request a letter of recommendation for your
Early Decision/Early Action schools. December 1 is the deadline for letter Academic Intervention Specialist:
of recommendation forms to be presented to counselors for regular Gretchen Wilkinson 252-2362
applications in early to mid-January. Please be conscious of these gawilkinson@seattleschools.org
4 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
All About Testing
By Gretchen Wilkinson, Garfield academic DATES TO SAVE!
intervention specialist
Please write these down, and don’t schedule doctor, dentist, or
What’s New with State Testing?
any other type of appointment that requires your child to miss
The name stayed the same—the HSPE, or High school. Missing these test days will make it more difficult for your
School Proficiency Exam. Thank goodness for child to satisfy this graduation requirement.
small favors. However, there’s lots that IS new
this year, especially for sophomores and freshmen Writing - March 15, 16, 17 (yes, this has also
(classes of 2013 and 2014). changed to 3 days of testing)
Classes of 2011 and 2012 Reading - March 22
✓ Must pass Reading, Writing, and Math.
Science - April 12
✓ Math alternative of 2.0 credits after 10th-
grade year accepted as alternative. Math - TBD but must happen in the last 3 weeks of school
✓ Cut scores on ACT and SAT accepted All of the above dates are set by the state and are mandatory. The
as alternative for passing for Reading, next test time is in August 2011.
Writing, and Math after taking and not
passing the HSPE. s
✓ Collection of Evidence (COE)—this is 10th and 11th Graders, Save the Date: October 13, PSAT
the creation of a portfolio of work and
is available for Reading and Writing. For That day, all 9th and 12th graders have late arrival. Test results will
seniors, the COE is due in January 2011; arrive by January, just after Winter Break. Encourage your child
for juniors, the COE is due in June 2011. to pick them up. The results break down how students did on
Submission does not guarantee passing. individual questions, and it’s a great way to see how your child will
This becomes available as an option after do on the national SAT tests. The 11th graders’ scores will enter
taking and not passing the HSPE tests.
them into the running for National Merit Scholar, which can
Classes of 2013 and 2014 be a boost on college applications.
➢ Must pass Reading, Writing, Math, and
Science. THIS IS NEW! MAP, or Measurement of Academic Progress
➢ The Math 2.0 credits after 10th-grade year What is this?
NO LONGER IS ALLOWED.
A district-mandated assessment for all 9th- and 10th-grade students two
➢ The Math test is now called “End of times a year. Actually, it is now happening K–10, as of this year.
Course,” or EOC. Students must pass
both Algebra 1 EOC and Geometry EOC How is it scored?
to graduate. The testing will happen
It’s a computer test using multiple-choice questions for Reading and Math.
sometime (TBD) in the last 3 weeks before
The score is computed instantly. It’s an adaptive test, so it adjusts to each
the end of school. Tests will be taken in
student’s ability to answer questions correctly. Thus, it “adapts” to the
each student’s math class over 3 days.
appropriate level of questions, allowing each student’s skill level to be
Results will arrive sometime in September
quantified. The result is a number, called a RIT score.
or October. Since this year is the first
year for this change, there are many What will this tell me?
unanswered questions. Keep reading the
Bark, and I will share the details as I learn It can potentially tell you where your child needs extra support in Reading
them. The most important thing to keep in and Math. Each subject is broken down into elements that comprise the
mind: passing these end-of-course tests is building blocks for success. Because the assessment is given in early October
a graduation requirement. and then again in May, you will now have a quantitative way to answer the
question, Has my child advanced his/her learning in reading and math?
➢ Passing the Science test is now a
graduation requirement. THIS IS NEW! Be forewarned
➢ ACT and SAT will remain as an alternative Some students will see their scores go down. Last year was the first year
way to pass (after taking and not passing Garfield was required to give this assessment, and it was only given to
both Algebra 1 and Geometry tests or 9th graders. Many of the students showed little or no change. This can be
taking and not passing Reading and/or discouraging for students. Parents can step in with positive encouragement.
Writing). Remind your children that this is one assessment, not a statement of who
Continued on page 6
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 5
All About Testing continued from p. 5
they are and what they can accomplish. It’s
a one-day snapshot. Ask them the #1 and #2
questions below.
Why? Here are the factors to consider:
1. Did the student take it seriously? Some
students have difficulty sitting at a
computer for over an hour taking a
multiple-choice test that is not connected
to any class or grade. It’s a new mind-set
for them to be able to see quantitatively
how they might be learning in these two
areas.
2. Were they feeling ill that day, or were they
overly tired, or were they distracted? All of
these elements can affect the outcome. Library and Tech Update
3. The amount of growth anticipated By Janet Woodward, GHS librarian
statistically on this assessment is very
small—sometimes 1 or 3 points on the
RIT scale. As your children get older, they Welcome back, families! The library looks forward
learn at a different pace than 2nd graders. to another busy year supporting the school
They are now refining and solidifying what community with its resource, information,
they have learned, combined with new and reading needs. We anticipate helping new
subject information. This is the critical- students get their computer accounts and
thinking part of learning, the making of orienting them to all our services. Check out the
connections between subjects. Thinking library section of the school website to learn more
is more difficult to quantify, thus the RIT about our services.
scale for growth is smaller.
In addition, the library will be working with the
How will I learn my child’s score? photography classes on the Qwest grant that
was awarded to document the Central Area, and
Ask your child. There won’t be a mailing. At
with history and LA classes involved with other
this point, the most efficient (and yes, we hear
grants from the American Library Association,
you about stuff not getting home) way to pass
National Endowment for the Humanities, and
this along to you is via your child. They will be
the Washington State Library. More on those
setting their own learning goals for the year
initiatives as they get under way in the fall.
based on their October scores. ASK THEM.
Please. As the sole supervisor of a multifaceted facility,
I could use some assistance in clerical tasks with
The district is working on making the scores
materials and other organizational activities.
more accessible, possibly on the Source. They
Also, there is an opportunity to contribute
may decide to do a mailing. Stay tuned as this
content to the school website if you help manage
evolves.
a sports team or school club. Many wonderful
parents and guardians have contributed each year
in all these areas, and their help has made a real
difference. If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact me at jwoodward@seattleschools.
Questions about testing? org or 252-2359.
Contact me at
gawilkinson@seattleschools.org
or 252-2362.
6 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
Students Against Violence SAVE kids will also be developing a weekly movie
night and discussion group at a local coffee shop,
Everywhere (SAVE) Club Reborn open to the community.
at Garfield High School Earlier this year, after a brief presentation by
By Holly Jacobson some of the SAVE kids, the organization was
officially adopted as a sponsored project of the
In 2009 some Garfield '11 students got
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, providing
together to reinstate Students Against Violence
an opportunity to keep the program sustainable
Everywhere, a student-led club that had a
and strong.
history at Garfield and throughout the region
but dissipated when its parent organization was SAVE seems to represent the best of Garfield.
retired. Fueled by a desire to take positive action Garfield kids care about their community, they
to help curb the rise of youth violence and create take initiative, and they have fun during the
a dialog about how students could create positive process. They put tremendous energy, creativity,
change in the community, SAVE took the school and spirit into all that they do. They believe in
year to reinvent itself. the idea of possibility. Watching these kids at
work, becoming leaders and developing even more
SAVE is focused on three areas of activity to
leadership opportunities for other kids, certainly
achieve its goals:
gives this parent a sense of great hope for the
1) Giving students a voice in creating future.
solutions in the community to combat
violence
SAVE's staff adviser is Samuel Labi. The parent
2) Creating a dialog through forums for
adviser is Holly Jacobson (holly@voteraction.org).
students and the community
For more information, contact SAVE at
3) Developing a mentor program for
saveseattle@gmail.com or call Emerson Morris
students to provide positive guidance by their
North (Garfield senior) at 683-1780.
peers
The initial response was powerful. Within one
day of the students posting a group on Facebook,
over 200 fellow students signed up. Regular
meetings were held, and by the end of the school
year, SAVE had promoted some forums for Are You Interested in Hosting an
students to discuss issues relevant to their own Italian High School Student?
experiences and observations. Forum topics
included “Oppression Through Words,” which How about having an Italian high school student live with you
led to a discussion of the power of how students for a semester or year and possibly having the opportunity
communicate with each other. to visit him/her in Italy? Ergon, an Italian Student Exchange
The SAVE kids participated in community forums organization and a partner of Northwest Student Exchange in
sponsored by the mayor and other organizations Seattle, is looking for American families willing to host 16- to
to provide a youth's perspective particularly 17-year-old Italian high school students.
concerned with curbing and addressing youth
violence. By June the students had also developed Ergon devotes special care to selecting the students and
from scratch a weekly summer peer-to-peer matching them with prospective host families. Through
mentoring program called SAVE Summer, our organization, Italian students are currently attending
partnering Garfield High School upperclassmen Ballard, Roosevelt, and Mercer Island high schools, and
with incoming ninth graders to meet once a week
over the summer for activities and guidance students and host families are greatly enjoying this
on making positive choices in high school. The experience.
Garfield Community Center provided the space,
and the kids procured in-kind donations for food
Hosting a foreign student is a great opportunity to share
and organized all activities and discussions on American life with a young person from another country,
topics of nonviolence. learn about a different culture, and build friendships abroad.
In the fall the program will shift to one-on-
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Gunnel
one mentoring to continue to provide guidance Tanimoto, our Seattle coordinator, at italexchange@gmail.com.
throughout freshman year and to sustain the Past and present host families would be happy to share their
growth of the program, thereby encouraging experiences with our program.
leadership development in SAVE and the
community. Additionally, they will be taking on
about a dozen more eighth graders as mentees.
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 7
Garfield Calendar, 2010–2011
September 2, 12 noon Staff appreciation: welcome-back luncheon
September 7, 8:30 am–3 pm Student orientation and pictures
September 8, 8 am–2:30 pm First day of school!
September 9, 5 pm BBQ for freshman families; stay for girls’ soccer game
September 16, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
September 20, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the
Commons: “Navigating Garfield: A Panel for Parents”
September 24 Teacher requests for small grants due to PTSA for fall
semester
September 30, 7 pm Open House (“Curriculum Night”). Meet with
counselors beginning at 5, administrators at 6:30.
October 1 & 2 State PTSA legislative assembly at the SeaTac Marriott
October 8 No school: Professional Development Day for teachers
October 13, 7 am Staff appreciation: light breakfast. PSAT.
October 21, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
November 11 Veterans’ Day holiday
November 18, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
November 22, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the
Commons: “State of the School”
November 25–26 Thanksgiving holiday
December 15, 7 am Staff appreciation: holiday breakfast
December 16, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
December 20–31 Winter Break
January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday
January 20, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
January 27 Last day of the semester
January 28 Day between semesters—no school
8 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
Garfield Calendar, 2011 cont.
January 31, 7–8:30 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the
Commons: district speaker, budget priorities, elect nominating
committee to fill next year’s positions
February 11 Teacher requests for small grants due to PTSA for spring
semester
February Eighth-grade visits
February 17, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
February 21–25 Presidents’ Day holiday, Midwinter Break
February TBD PTSA Focus Day in Olympia
March 15–17 HSPE Writing
March 18 No school: Professional Development Day for teachers
March 22 HSPE Reading
March 24, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome
March TBD Bubblin’ Brown Sugar dance contest
April 12 HSPE Science
April 18–22 Spring Break
April 28, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are
welcome: officer slate proposed, budget proposal voted on
April 29–May 1 Washington State PTSA Annual Convention
May 4, 7 am Staff appreciation breakfast
May 19, 6–8 pm PTSA board meeting in the library, all are welcome
May 23, 7 pm PTSA general membership meeting in the Commons:
officers elected, budget approved, PTSA awards presented
May 30 Memorial Day holiday
June 4, 8:30 am–12:30 pm, PTSA yearly retreat
June 14 Graduation at Memorial Stadium, followed by post-graduation
celebration
June 21 Last day of school! (unless extended due to snow days)
June 22, 12 noon Staff appreciation: end-of-year luncheon
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 9
Nurse’s Notes
I am delighted to be
full time at Garfield for
’10–’11. I look forward
to working with you and
your student to manage
any acute or ongoing
health concerns. Although I am a school
district employee, I share space with the Teen
Health Center. I am located across from the
main office. Immunizations
Meds at School? Immunizations are important to keep all our
students safe and healthy. Moreover, they are
Students who take meds regularly or who need required for continued attendance at school.
any meds occasionally at school must have an Noncompliant students are excluded at Garfield.
“Authorization for Medication” form on file Immunizations are available from your provider/
with the school nurse. Yes, this even includes clinic, many pharmacies, or the Garfield Teen
meds like Tylenol and ibuprofen, as well as Health Center (a wonderful on-site resource).
allergy meds and inhalers! You can download Contact me for any questions or to update your
the form at http://www.seattleschools.org/ student’s immunization status.
area/healthservices/forms/medauth1.pdf, on
the GHS website, or stop by my office. It is also For July ’10–June ’11, all students must have
in the first-day packets. Complete the parent completed their Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
section, return it directly to me, and I will fax series, Polio series, Measles/Mumps/Rubella
it to your doctor/clinic for authorization. This series and Hepatitis B series. Varicella (chicken
form must be renewed each school year and pox), Meningococcal, and HPV vaccines are
allows students to carry their meds or leave recommended but not required.
a supply, in original containers, in the nurse Free and Reduced Lunch—Food Isn’t the
office. Please do not send it mixed in with Only Benefit!
other forms to the main office, as it can then
take weeks before I see it! If your student is eligible for free/reduced lunch,
please complete the form you received in your
If your student were caught in a disaster and first-day packet or ask for another. All students
stranded at school for several days, would need the option of a healthy breakfast and lunch
he or she have the needed meds? Does your to fuel their brains and be successful at school.
child ever forget meds at home? Families are Studies show that kids who eat breakfast do
strongly encouraged to keep a 3-day disaster better in school than kids who don’t. This includes
supply of meds (in original containers) at better math and reading scores, better classroom
school with the nurse, along with their consent behavior, and better attendance. Students also
forms. Having a back-up supply is particularly qualify for a variety of fee waivers if they have
important for students with inhalers, epi- qualified for free/reduced lunch, so don’t forget to
pens, diabetes, and seizures. In addition, sign for the “other benefits” too. PSAT, SAT, ACT,
students with inhalers and epi-pens must have and college application fees are just a few! It also
demonstrated correct usage to the nurse in assists GHS in qualifying for additional federal
order to self-administer. and/or state education dollars. What a deal to help
fuel your student for a successful day at school!
Nurse's Notes continued on page 11
10 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
Nurse's Notes continued from page 10
Backpacks—Pack it Light, Wear It Right!
Aching back and shoulders…weakened muscles…
tingling arms…stooped posture? Carrying too
much weight in a pack or wearing it in the wrong
way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take
steps to help students load and wear backpacks
the right way to avoid health problems.
It is recommended that a loaded backpack weigh
no more than 15% of a student’s body weight,
yet the average student carries a pack weighing
almost one-fourth their weight and 3 out of 10
carry up to a third of their weight at least once
per week. Load heaviest items closest to the back
of the pack. Arrange items so they don’t slide
around. Are all items really needed? Can some be
hand carried? Consider a wheeled bag if the pack
is still too heavy.
The way packs are worn also has an impact.
Lower positioning of the pack approximates the
body’s center of gravity and has the least effect
on posture. Use both shoulder straps and make September is National Alcohol and Drug Ad-
sure they are well padded. Wear a waist belt if diction Recovery Month
available. Adjust the shoulder straps so that pack
fits snugly to the back. The bottom of the pack When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, some-
should rest in the curve of the lower back but times the littlest things in life are hardest to bear.
never more than four inches below the waist. But there is hope. People with addictions can get
(For more info, visit the American Occupational treatment and celebrate life’s little things again.
Therapy Association at www.aota.org.) Recovery can give them back their lives. This
year’s Recovery Month theme is
Blood Drive at GHS on Thursday, October 14
Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More
Again this year we are hosting a Puget Sound Than Ever!
Blood Drive at GHS. All Garfield students and
staff are encouraged to donate! Anyone at least Celebrate recovery efforts, use internet and
16 years old is eligible to donate. Written parental community resources to gain more information,
permission is required for all first-time donors and understand the benefits that investing in
who are 16/17 years old. Everyone needs picture treatment can have on those who enter recovery,
ID. If your student is donating, encourage him or on their families, and on the larger community.
her to eat a big breakfast. Substance-use disorders are a treatable public
health problem that affects us all.
High school–based blood drives supply 20% of
all donations. Garfield students are helping save More information or referrals to treatment are
lives! Donors can see the school nurse or Post available at:
members for more information. 24-hour Crisis Line, 1-800-244-5767 or 461-3222
24-hour Alcohol and Drug Helpline, 722-3700,
www.adhl.org
GHS Nurse Office or Teen Health Center
I want all our students to have a healthy and safe
year. Please see me if you have questions or con-
cerns, or if you just want to say hi! I am delighted
to be back!
Chris Cordell, RN, MA, NCSN
206-252-2277
crcordell@seattleschools.org
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 11
Garfield High School PTSA Roster, 2010-2011
Position Name Phone #1 Phone #2 eMail
Executive Positions
Co-President David Foutch H)323-0923 C)250-2284 dfoutch@blarg.net
Co-President Jayn Foy H)323-7785 C)850-5153 jaynfoy@comcast.net
Secretary Mig Schaaf W)757-8138 migschaaf@dwt.com
Treasurer Tom Gaffney H)723-9227 C)356-5722 gaffert@comcast.net
Annual Fund Co-Chair Susan Cathcart H)325-4848 C)850-0273 macecart@earthlink.net
Annual Fund Co-Chair Lauri Palmer H)723-5854 lauricepl@aol.com
Small Grants Co-Chair Gretchen Jacobsen H)328-4775 gretchen@thejacobsens.com
Small Grants Co-Chair Marie Doyle H)323-6128 C)321-6129 doylemf@comcast.net
Volunteer Coordinator Ann Bergman H)328-0678 C)910-0138 abbergman@gmail.com
Appointed Positions
12th Grade Class Rep. Holly Jacobson C)769-7185 holly@voteraction.org
11th Grade Class Rep. TBD
10th Grade Class Rep. August Drake-Ericson H)324-0541 C)423-4834 augdrake@gmail.com
9th Grade Class Rep Edna Sawyer esawyer@starbucks.com
9th Grade Class Rep. Amy Summers W)522-4104 summersa65@earthlink.net
Advocacy & Legislative Comtte Janis Traven H)285-7375 janistraven@comcast.net
ASB Liaison and School Spirit Steve Cunetta C)953-7751 W)902-3203 scunetta@copacino.com
ASB Student Rep. Chara Lynch
Building Leadership Team Rep. Ellen Markman H)329-1205 C)478-1264 ellenmark@gmail.com
College Access Now (CAN) GM Greg Abbott H)383-1777 gregory.abbott@comcast.net
College Access Now (CAN) GM Caroline Perkins C)992-2880 cwperkins@seattleschools.org
Cultural Outreach Thu-Van Nguyen H)324-8058 C)619-6158 thuvan8058@msn.com
Faculty Representative Gretchen Wilkinson W)252-2362 gawilkinson@seattleschools.org
Family Directory Liz Bottman H)526-5777 bjelizabeth@qwest.net
Family Directory Sandy Johnston H)938-6714 C)234-6609 salmon_sandy@msn.com
First-Day Packet Coodinator Faith Conlon H)285-7479 faithconlon@comcast.net
First-Day Packet Coodinator Tammy Luthy H)322-3784 thejeffandtammyshow@comcast.net
Freshman BBQ Jill Mc Cormick W)226-8035 jill@soundpointre.com
Freshman BBQ Brigid Anderson H)725-9676 C)384-5056 bbandband@comcast.net
Freshman Families Welcome
Tammy Luthy H)322-3784 thejeffandtammyshow@comcast.net
Calls
Garfield Black Parents Assoc. TBA C)816-2246 deebrown55@hotmail.com
GHS Tracks Blog Craig Seasholes H)722-5234 seasholes@earthlink.net
Grant Writing Meg Goldman meggoldman@msn.com
Grant Writing Sara Robertson H)325-6595 sarar@soundeye.com
Membership and Welcome Celia Brown H)723-1490 C)402-7247 zanoni25@gmail.com
Membership and Welcome Molly Seaverns H)937-1014 C)353-1787 seaverns@comcast.net
Military Recruitment Monitor Kathy Barker H)328-2804 kbarker715@comcast.net
New Teacher Welcome Cindy Osborn H)283-6721 cindyplusbill@juno.com
New Teacher Welcome Holly Jacobson C)769-7185 holly@voteraction.org
Post GM Ellen Aggard H)527-9302 ellaag@yahoo.com
Post GM student rep Roxi Ko, Krishni Seasholes
Read Right GM Vangie Peaslee vangie.peaslee@gmail.com
Safety Liaison Tadd Perkins C)240-2539
School Board Liaison Jane Fellner H)329-6588 C)334-4784 jfellner@comcast.net
Sports Booster Co-Chair Diane Loui C)228-6573 dyloui@yahoo.com
Sports Booster Co-Chair Dave Richardson H)760-1931 david@dbrlaw.com
Staff Appreciation Susan Barkan C)898-5297 W)221-3124 barkas@u.washington.edu
Staff Appreciation Lisa McNelis W)938-4086 lisa@mcnelisarchitects.com
Staff Appreciation Cindy Osborn H)283-6721 cindyplusbill@juno.com
Urban Scholars GM Amma Anang ammaanang@earthlink.org
Web Master Gregory Mace C)661-0252 gregorymace@earthlink.net
12 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
What’s Happening at Garfield?
And for updates, check the calendar on the school website:
http://ghs.seattleschools.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar
Garfield Jazz
Garfield Drama
Fall Play: Shakespeare’s
As You Like It
COME AND SEE OUR
STUDENTS AND STAFF
PERFORM!
October 28, 29, 30,
November 4, 5, 6
Quincy Jones
Performance Center
Members of the Garfield High School jazz band perform at 2010–2011 Season Overview
the Essentially Ellington competition, winning first place for
(check the STAGE website for updates:
the fourth time.
www.garfieldstage.org)
Picture from The Seattle Times
October 7, 3:15 and 7 pm: 4 Plays in 4 Days
Friday, October 15, 7 pm January 14, 7 pm: Children’s Show (TBD), Quincy
Jones Performance Center
Band I: Earshot Jazz Festival Opening @ Triple
Door February 3, 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7 pm, and February
10 at 3:30: Winter Show (TBD)
May 25, 26, 27, June 1, 2, 3, and 4 at 7 pm: spring
Friday, November 19, 7:30 pm musical: Chicago!
Band I: Kick-Off Concert @ Quincy Jones Per- Dramatic Paws: Student-Directed Short Plays in
formance Center the Black Box Theater
• Dramatic Paws I
Friday, December 10, 8 pm November 18 at 3:15 pm and
Band I: "Best Jazz for the Holidays" @ Seattle November 19 at 3:15 and 7 pm
Center House • Dramatic Paws II
January 20 at 3:15 pm and January 21
Saturday, December 11, 11 am at 3:15 and 7 pm
Band II: Winterfest @ Seattle Center House • Dramatic Paws III
March 24 at 3:15 pm and March 25 at
3:15 and 7 pm
• Senior-Directed One Acts
June 8 or 9, 3:15 and 7 pm
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 13
GARFIELD ORCHESTRA NEWS
By Janis Traven
Upcoming Season
Garfield Orchestra students, under the direction
of conductor Marcus Tsutakawa, are already
tuning up for the 2010–2011 season. The award-
winning Garfield Orchestra performs a series
of Foyer Concerts in Quincy Jones Auditorium
during the school year, as well as accompanying
the Messiah Sing-Along, and the elegant Winter
Waltz at Benaroya Hall. Orchestra students will
perform side by side with the Seattle Symphony
this year. Dates and times for all concerts can be
found at www.garfieldorchestra.org.
Chamber Ensembles
Consider hiring a Garfield chamber music
ensemble (traditional strings as well as ensembles
of woodwinds, brass, and combinations of
strings and woodwinds) for your next private
party or corporate event. Chamber ensemble
performances support travel and scholarships for
Garfield Orchestra. For more information, contact
GarfieldOrchestraGigs@gmail.com.
A Garfield Chamber Ensemble entertains guests at a special event held at the
Japanese Garden in August.
Don’t Wash That Car!
Friends of Garfield Orchestra (FOGO) will take
care of that for you! FOGO’s fall car wash will take
place Sunday, September 19, from 9 am to 3 pm
at the Montlake 76 gas station, just south of the
Montlake Bridge next to the Hop-in Market (2625
E Montlake Pl E). Baked goods and music will
accompany your sparkling car.
14 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter
Fall Sports Preview
By Jim Valiere 3:45 PM
9/10 @ SKYLINE
FRI 3:45 PM
We welcome some new coaches this fall season. TENNIS
BOYS JUNIOR TENNIS
Quauthli Martinez is our head girls’ soccer coach 7:00 PM VARSITY BOYS JUNIOR
and Jake Putnam is our new volleyball coach. Both @ SAMMAMISH Skyline Tennis Courts VARSITY 3:45 PM
FOOTBALL Amy Yee Tennis @ INGLEMOOR
bring a wealth of experience, passion for their BOYS VARSITY Center TENNIS
7:45 PM
sports, outstanding assistant coaches, and fresh Sammamish Stadium @ SEATTLE PREP BOYS JUNIOR
perspectives for our programs. We are grateful to SCHOOL 5:30 PM VARSITY
12:00 AM FOOTBALL SOCCER Inglemoor Tennis
have a cadre of coaches at Garfield committed to VOLLEYBALL BOYS VARSITY GIRLS JUNIOR Courts
creating positive extracurricular experiences for our GIRLS JUNIOR Memorial Stadium VARSITY
VARSITY Location: TBD 5:30 PM
students. Location: TBD @ ROOSEVELT
9/20
MON 7:30 PM SOCCER
Our football team has a new look and a new 9/13 SOCCER GIRLS JUNIOR
attitude, and we are very excited about the MON 3:30 PM GIRLS VARSITY VARSITY
upcoming season. The team opens against Lake GOLF Location: TBD Memorial Stadium
3:30 PM BOYS VARSITY
Washington at the Southwest Athletic Complex (at @ SKYLINE Jackson Park Golf Club 9/24 7:30 PM
Chief Sealth High School) on September 2 at 5 pm. GOLF FRI @ ROOSEVELT
BOYS VARSITY 5:30 PM SOCCER
The Garfield Sports Boosters are planning the Plateau Club VOLLEYBALL 7:00 PM GIRLS VARSITY
GIRLS JUNIOR FOOTBALL Memorial Stadium
annual raffle. Tickets are $10 and the grand prize 9/14 BOYS VARSITY
VARSITY
is $1,000, second prize $500, and third prize $250. TUE Garfield Main Gym Memorial Stadium 9/29
The raffle sales will culminate with an adult Old Location: TBD WED
3:30 PM 7:00 PM
School Dance in October (date, time, and place SWIMMING 7:00 PM SOCCER 3:30 PM
to be announced soon), and at that FUNdraiser GIRLS JV-VARSITY VOLLEYBALL GIRLS VARSITY GOLF
Southwest Pool Starfire BOYS VARSITY
we will draw the names of the raffle winners. This GIRLS VARSITY
Jefferson Park Golf
Garfield Main Gym
fundraiser is very important to the viability of our 3:45 PM 9/25 Club
GHS athletics program. The Sports Boosters will also @ ROOSEVELT 9/21 SAT
TENNIS TUE 4:00 PM
sponsor the spaghetti dinner on Curriculum Night. BOYS VARSITY 9:30 AM CROSS COUNTRY
Lower Woodland 3:30 PM @ NEWPORT BOYS AND GIRLS
Following is the September sports schedule. Tennis Courts @ ROOSEVELT (BELLEVUE) JV-VARSITY
Complete schedules for all teams can be found on SWIMMING SWIMMING Lincoln Park
3:45 PM GIRLS JV-VARSITY
our GHS website under “Sports” by clicking on TENNIS
GIRLS JV-VARSITY
5:30 PM
Queen Anne Pool Mary Wayte Pool
League Minder then following the prompts. BOYS JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL
VARSITY 9/22 9/27 GIRLS JUNIOR
Amy Yee Tennis Center WED MON VARSITY
Garfield Main Gym
9/1 9/7 9/9 9/15 3:30 PM 5:30 PM
WED TUE THU WED GOLF @ NEWPORT 7:00 PM
BOYS VARSITY (BELLEVUE) VOLLEYBALL
3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:45 PM 4:00 PM Jefferson Park Golf VOLLEYBALL GIRLS VARSITY
@ REDMOND @ ISSAQUAH TENNIS @ REDMOND Club GIRLS JUNIOR Garfield Main Gym
GOLF GOLF BOYS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY
BOYS VARSITY BOYS VARSITY Amy Yee Tennis Center BOYS AND GIRLS JV- 4:00 PM Newport Main Gym
Bear Creek Country Snoqualmie Falls Golf VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY 9/30
Club Course 3:45 PM Hartman Park BOYS AND GIRLS JV- 7:00 PM THU
@ ISSAQUAH VARSITY @ NEWPORT
9/2 4:00 PM TENNIS 5:30 PM Lincoln Park (BELLEVUE) 3:45 PM
THU VOLLEYBALL BOYS JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL VOLLEYBALL @ EASTLAKE
GIRLS VARSITY VARSITY GIRLS JUNIOR 5:30 PM GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS
5:00 PM Location: TBD Tibbetts Park Tennis VARSITY @ WOODINVILLE Newport Main Gym BOYS VARSITY
FOOTBALL –Lake Courts Garfield Main Gym VOLLEYBALL Eastlake Tennis
Washington 9/8 GIRLS JUNIOR 9/28 Courts
BOYS VARSITY WED 4:30 PM 7:00 PM VARSITY TUE
Southwest Athletic SOCCER VOLLEYBALL Location: TBD 3:45 PM
Complex (Chief Sealth) 3:30 PM GIRLS JUNIOR GIRLS VARSITY 3:30 PM TENNIS
GOLF VARSITY Garfield Main Gym 7:00 PM GOLF BOYS JUNIOR
9/4 BOYS VARSITY Garfield Football Field @ WOODINVILLE BOYS VARSITY VARSITY
SAT Jefferson Park Golf 9/16 VOLLEYBALL Jefferson Park Golf Amy Yee Tennis
Club 6:30 PM THU GIRLS VARSITY Club Center
2:30 PM SOCCER Woodinville Main Gym
@ HAZEN Jamboree 6:00 PM GIRLS VARSITY 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM
SOCCER VOLLEYBALL Garfield Football Field @ SKYLINE 9/23 SWIMMING SOCCER
GIRLS VARSITY GIRLS JUNIOR SWIMMING THU GIRLS JV-VARSITY GIRLS JUNIOR
Hazen High School VARSITY 7:00 PM GIRLS JV-VARSITY Southwest Pool VARSITY
Garfield Main Gym @ CEDAR PARK Boehm Pool 3:45 PM Memorial Stadium
2:30 PM CHRISTIAN @ NEWPORT 3:45 PM
@ HAZEN Jamboree 7:15 PM VOLLEYBALL 3:45 PM (BELLEVUE) TENNIS 7:30 PM
SOCCER VOLLEYBALL GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS TENNIS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
GIRLS JUNIOR GIRLS VARSITY Cedar Park Christian BOYS VARSITY BOYS VARSITY Amy Yee Tennis GIRLS VARSITY
VARSITY Garfield Main Gym gym Amy Yee Tennis Center Newport Tennis Courts Center Memorial Stadium
Hazen High School
The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter 15
Garfield High
PTSA LOCAL # School PTSA NON-PROFIT
400 23rd Avenue ORGANIZATION
6.15.467 Seattle, WA 98122 U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA.
PERMIT NO. 02403
Principal:
Ted Howard
PTSA Co-Presidents:
Jayn Foy and David Foutch
Editor: Teresa Nemeth
Design/Layout/Production:
Mark Linsey
Printing:
G & H Printing, 329-9888
http://www.ghs.seattleschools.org
Join the Garfield PTSA and be part of something great.
Start the school year out right by joining the Garfield PTSA or renewing your membership. As a group we support
vital programs—such as small grants to teachers, field trip scholarships, Read Right, Cultural Relations, and
teacher-appreciation events. We also help you connect more easily with the Garfield community. By joining you
also help increase the influence Garfield has within the Seattle and statewide PTSA to advocate for issues that
impact our students. Complete and return the membership forms in the first-day packets, or simply use the
information below to join immediately. We have membership scholarships available—so join now.
Questions? Contact Molly Seaverns, 937-9520, seaverns@comcast.net, or Celia Brown, 723-1490,
zanoni25@gmail.com.
NAME ________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP _________________________________________________________
PHONE ________________________________________________________________
STUDENT(S) ____________________________________________________________
EMAIL ________________________________________________________________
Mail check/money order (payable to GHS PTSA) or Visa/MasterCard info to:
PTSA Membership, Garfield High School, 400 23 Ave. Seattle, WA 98122
rd
Membership Levels:
$26 Family (2 adults + all GHS students)
$16 Individual
$8 Student/Faculty/Low Income
$50 Gold Membership—pay for your own household membership and sponsor another Bulldog family!
16 The BARK Garfield High School PTSA Newsletter