The Last Day of School

Educators will tell you there's a cyclical nature to the school year. Every year has a first day, and a last. Rituals precede the first day (professional development and staff meetings, preparing schools and classrooms) and rituals follow the last (turning in grade books, planning for next year, checking out). But those actual first and last days are magical.

I make a point of visiting schools on the first day. Partly it's to be supportive. Honestly, in large part, I visit schools on the first day because it recharges me to see all of those bright, enthusiastic faces. Friday, I reversed the trend and went to the last day at three schools. What I observed was true affection between students and staff as they said goodbye for the summer.

McMicken Heights Elementary

I started at McMicken because we had advance notice that Darcy Smith would be honored as the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) Teacher of the Year. The PSESD is an organization that exists between the state and local districts. PSESD covers the 35 districts in King and Piece counties, representing almost half of all students in the state. Ms. Smith, a sixth grade teacher, was teacher of the year in Highline as well. Her family snuck in for her recognition at McMicken's last day of school assembly, and her students went berserk when her name was called. Ms. Smith was ever gracious and humble in receiving the award, thanking her students and colleagues.

I got to see a little more of the assembly, including many student recognitions. The highlight was when the whole faculty performed to Taio Cruz's "Dynamite." Three talented staff members came forward to sing and the students threw their hands up in the air sometimes. A minute later, the whole staff, including principal Karin Jones, came up on stage to dance-dance-dance-dance. The staff really lit it up like it's dynamite. I loved the spirit and community building!

(L to R) Susanne Jerde, Carla Jackson, Darcy Smith, me, and Terese Emry from PSESD (Mel Ponder Photography)

Students watch as McMicken staff members perform "Dynamite"

Highline High School

I zipped over from McMicken to Highline High School, just in time for dismissal. It was fun and orderly. Kids were in great spirits. Staff was enjoying signing yearbooks and wishing their students well for the summer. After the rush cleared, I wandered over by the cafeteria, where principal Damon Hunter was grilling up burgers and hot dogs for the staff's end of the year lunch. Again, there were many positive vibes, and the morale building will help the school launch positively into next year.

Highline H.S. students display their school spirit one last time

Grillmaster (and principal) Damon Hunter, cooking up lunch for staff

Sylvester Middle School

After Highline, I made the short drive to Sylvester Middle School and again shared dismissal with staff and students. Encouraged by staff to celebrate appropriately, kids found out how rewarding it is to exchange smiles and hugs with their friends on the way out the door for the final time. I had a quick word with Principal Vicki Fisher as she stopped to wish students well for the summer. The buses lined up almost ceremonially for their final delivery. Staff obliged by waiving goodbye from the sideawalk. And summer was officially underway!

Buses line up to take students home one final time this year

Staff wave to students as they leave for summer vacation

Highline/Sylvester Auction Supports Sports, Arts, and Technology

The Highline Jazz Band performs before the Highline/Sylvester Auction

Congratulations to Highline High School and Sylvester Middle School on a successful school auction this past Saturday night! The event began with a a performance by the excellent Highline Jazz Band as guests arrived and perused silent auction items. The main event was a live auction skillfully conducted by former Highline and Sylvester principal Tom Sawyer.

More than 200 alumni, community members, and staff attended, including Highline School Board VP and HHS alum Bernie Dorsey, Burien mayor Brian Bennett, Highline Executive Director of North End Schools John Boyd, Principals Damon Hunter of HHS and Vicki Fisher of Sylvester, and Assistant Principals Paul Harvey, Courtney Daikos, and Kyle Linman.

Special thanks to the parents of Highline and Sylvester who put in the legwork to make the event a smashing success!

Friday Night Lights at Highline High School



Quarterback Eric Anderson scores for Highline under a gorgeous evening sky



The core of the school district is what happens in our classrooms, but there's a lot going on that supports and enhances our district, too. Friday night, I visited Memorial Stadium for the football game between Nathan Hale H.S. and the Highline High School Pirates.
This year's very late arriving summer provided a beautiful backdrop for a night of high school football. There was a good crowd on hand, especially for a holiday weekend non-conference game. It was a spirited bunch, in many ways like thousands of high schools across America. There were players and parents, cheerleaders and the band, teachers and townies. Highline made a strong effort, staying with Hale most of the game, but ultimately losing 28-21. Still, the team looks like it is on the rise.



Friday night football under the lights


High school sports are about so much more than just the action on the field. There was a sense of camaraderie among the students in the stands. It was basically "good clean fun," surprisingly similar to my years as a high school student in Pennsylvania. Maybe that's why I gravitated to the band, my old stomping ground, which was blasting mostly oldies like Hang On Sloopy and Wipeout. It was good catching up with Scott Babcock, the long-time director and fellow trombonist (except that he actually, you know, still plays).



The band performs at halftime under the direction of Mr. Babcock and student director Dalia Pedro


I saw several supportive teachers and staff members at the game. No doubt they were reflecting on Highline's first week with a six-period day schedule, instead of the four-period block schedule. A few teachers shared their thougths on this with me. There are a lot of advantages to the six period day schedule, such as the continuity of year-long classes, but a few drawbacks and growing pains, too. I'm glad teachers felt comfortable sharing both sides with me.

Finally, I couldn't end without a nod to Principal Damon Hunter. It was no surprise seeing Mr. Hunter at the game, seated in the front row. Visibility is one of his strengths. Last year, I went to Highline during testing and the office staff told me to go to the main hall, in front of the library. Sure enough, there was Mr. Hunter, sitting at a table he had pulled into the hall with his laptop computer. The halls were quiet, and he was going to keep it that way.



With Principal Damon Hunter


With the band, the cheerleaders, and the fans, Memorial Stadium was anything but quiet on Friday night. Best wishes to Highline High School on the new school year!