Spring/Summer 2022
NWESD Regional High School Art Show Winners
Contents 3 4 5 6 6
A Note from Our Superintendent New Regional Superintendents May Mental Health Awareness Month New NWESD Board member Welcome New NWESD Coordinators
7 8-9 10-13 14 14
Statewide Collaboration Updates High School & Beyond Plan ReadyWA NWESD Art Show Winners Save a Life Award COVID Tests
The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement. View current job openings at www.nwesd.org/jobs
NWESD Adopt-a-Highway Crew
Thank you for helping to keep Highway 20 beautiful!
Pictured L-R: Joanne Johnson, Marie Holloman, Nancy Menard, Abby & Jennifer Longchamps, Lynnette Ondeck. Les Valsquier and Jennifer Boone (not pictured)
Table of Contents
Congratulations Graduates! 2 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
A Note from Our Superintendent Larry Francois, Anacortes
A few weeks ago, I hosted a regional superintendent meeting at which a prominent school attorney spoke on the subject of collective bargaining. If you’ve been around Washington State public education for any length of time, particularly in district or board leadership, you likely recognize the passions that collective bargaining can stoke. As part of his presentation, the attorney showed a short video of an experiment conducted by Heineken (as in the beer) titled Worlds Apart (available on YouTube). The video begins with a series of individual interviews where the experiment subjects are asked their views on a range of hot button issues such as feminism, climate change, and transgender rights. The views of the individual subjects were highly opposed, and likely off-putting and offensive to those with a different world view. Not knowing the views of each other on these issues, the subjects were then paired up and given an assignment to jointly assemble some furniture. As they did so, they did what most of us would do in such a situation with a stranger. They made small talk and got to know one another while completing their assigned task. They were also given some prompts to share personal information about themselves so their partner would get to know them better. When they were finished with their task, the pairs were shown videos of the individual interviews they had earlier conducted in which they expressed their widely divergent views on a range of sensitive and politically polarizing topics. Many of the subjects were visibly shocked and offended to hear the views expressed by the partners they had been working with on their shared task. The subjects were then given the choice to leave or to stay and enjoy a beer (obviously a Heineken) and continue talking. They chose to stay. Now, a cynic might say that this experiment was all staged, and an optimist might say that no one walks out on a free beer. Regardless, the attorney who shared this video offered the following takeaways from the experiment and their applicability to collective bargaining, which in many ways can mirror the conflict and polarization we’ve all experienced over the past two years with various COVID mandates and restrictions. Those lessons are: • • • • •
Work on a common objective Engage in joint learning or inquiry Get to know people socially Be curious about the other side Stay in the relationship without compromising your values
As I am writing this, we are about a week away from the end of the mask mandate that has proven to be so polarizing in many school communities. Watching how this controversial mandate has played out in places, I’m saddened and concerned about what seems to be a growing trend of those on all sides of a passionate issue to dehumanize those with whom we may disagree and abandon basic levels of common courtesy and human respect. By the time you are reading this, I hope we are continuing to see the pandemic wane. Given the last two years of COVID peaks and valleys, however, we could just as easily be in the middle of a new surge and the return of mandates and restrictions. While I desperately hope that is not the case, I continue to believe that the lessons of the Heineken experiment will serve not only our school communities but our larger society well as we navigate an uncertain future. When disagreements are strongest and passions are at their highest, let’s model continued dialogue and authentic inquiry with those on the other side. Maybe keep talking over a beer, and it doesn’t have to be a Heineken.
Larry Francois
NWESD Superintendent nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 3
New Regional Superintendents
Michelle Kuss-Cybula Oak Harbor Superintendent
The Oak Harbor Public Schools Board of Directors selected Michelle Kuss-Cybula to be its next superintendent during a special meeting on Friday, March 4. In an upcoming meeting, the Board will begin negotiations with KussCybula with an expected start date of July 1, 2022. Interim Superintendent Karst Brandsma will remain as the district leader until his contract ends on June 30, 2022. “We are excited to welcome Michelle to our community,” Board President John Diamond said. “The Board was incredibly impressed with her 30 years of educational leadership and her vast knowledge of our district. This was one of the most difficult decisions because of how deep our applicant pool was, and we feel strongly we have selected the best candidate to lead Oak Harbor Public Schools.”
Dr. Zachary Robbins Marysville Superintendent
The Marysville School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to hire Dr. Zachary Robbins at a regular session board meeting. Dr. Robbins currently serves as Principal of Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also serves the Nevada State Department of Education by providing leadership professional development to superintendents, district administrators, and principals across the state. Dr. Robbins earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College; his Master’s Degree in Education Administration & Policy from Howard University; and his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Howard University. Dr. Robbins will begin July 1 of this year.
4 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
Dr. Kristi Dominguez Ferndale Superintendent
Ferndale School Board has selected Dr. Kristi Dominguez as its new superintendent. Dominguez currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning for the Bellingham School District. The board approved Dominguez’s appointment in a unanimous vote on Friday, March 25, 2022. She is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2022. Dominguez was selected from a large pool of well-qualified applicants for her demonstrated visionary leadership qualities, focus on removing barriers and promoting excellence for all students, and rich background that resonated with students, staff, and community. Dominguez will take over the superintendent position from Interim Superintendent Mark Deebach who was appointed after Dr. Linda Quinn retired in October 2021.
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
David VanderYacht Lynden Superintendent
The Lynden School Board has named David VanderYacht as its new superintendent. VanderYacht currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the Lynden School District. The board approved VanderYacht’s appointment in a unanimous vote on Thursday, March 31, 2022. He is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2022. VanderYacht was selected from a pool of ten wellqualified applicants for his demonstrated performance, unique understanding of our community, and vision for the school district. Lynden School Board President Brian Johnson shared that the School Board had three highly qualified applicants and the Board appreciates the involvement of parents, staff, and stakeholders. Johnson said, “We share in David’s excitement for the future of our school community and look forward to our partnership.”
May: Mental Health Awareness Month You are NOT
Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.
ALONE
1 in 20
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness
12 MONTH PREVALENCE OF COMMON MENTAL ILLNESSES (ALL U.S. ADULTS)
17%
of youth (6-17 years) experience a mental health disorder
12 MONTH PREVALENCE OF ANY MENTAL ILLNESS (ALL U.S. ADULTS)
21% of all adults 14% of Asian adults 17% of Black adults or Islander adults 17% ofOtherNativePacificHawaiian Hispanic or adults 18% ofLatinx American Indian or 19% ofAlaska Native adults 22% of white adults adults who report 32% ofmixed/multiracial lesbian, gay and 44% ofbisexual adults
Personality Disorder 1% Schizophrenia 1% Borderline Dual 4%Diagnosis 3% Bipolar Disorder
19% Anxiety Disorders
8% Depression 1% Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 4% Post-traumatic Stress Disorder WAYS TO REACH OUT AND GET HELP
Talk with a health care professional
Call the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264)
Connect with friends and family
Join a support group
Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources. Find citations for this resource at nami.org/mhstats
Learn more at >> nami.org
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 5
New NWESD District 7 Board Member On January 26, 2022, the Northwest Educational Service District (NWESD) Board of Directors approved Ann McMurray as District 7 Representative. McMurray, a resident of Brier, WA, will represent the Edmonds and Mukilteo school districts east of Highway 99. McMurray replaces Claudia Buxton who served as the District 7 Representative for seven years. Buxton retired from the NWESD Board of Directors on September 23, 2021. Please join the NWESD in welcoming Ann to the NWESD Board of Directors. Ann McMurray
Region 7 Representative
Welcome New NWESD Coordinators
Peter Schlegel
Program Specialist 2 Special Programs & Services
Peter will assist high school students with IEPs in readiness, self-advocacy, work-based learning activities, and work-based learning experiences and help with placing students in 40-hour paid internship with local companies. Peter looks forward to helping students access the tools they need to achieve their career and personal goals after high school. Currently, Peter is a Lake Stevens Washington resident with a roommate and two cats, Peter enjoys spending time with the cats, playing video games, watching movies, and listening to podcasts.
Cheri Renfro
Cameron Clay
Eleven Vexler Program Manager Project SHARE
Mental Health Professional La Conner/Conway SD
In this role, Cameron supervises Student Assistance Professionals (SAPs) in our region and acts as a liaison between grant funders, the Behavioral Health and Prevention Department, and schools.
Eleven has over 25 years of experience in providing mental health services to youth. Much of that has been in the school setting.
As a Mental Health Professional in La Conner and Conway School Districts, Cheri helps K-12 students with developing communication skills that help them to grow into strong, confident members of the community. Formerly she was a School-based Clinician at two Sedro-Woolley elementary schools for Compass Health Child and Family Services.
Prevention Coordinator
Cameron’s goal is to retain our amazing staff, increase their potential for compensation, and expand the SAP team to new districts and school buildings. When not in the office, you’ll find Cameron hiking, traveling, and watching football. She challenges you to debate her on whether skydiving or bungee jumping is the superior adrenalinespiking activity!
6 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
In this position, Eleven will be assisting the Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley school districts to develop MTSS (Multi Tiered System of Support), including making connections between school, and community resources, improving staff wellness, and continuing efforts to destigmatize mental health issues. Eleven, her husband of 18 years, and two kids ages 14 and 16, like to play in the water and the snow.
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Cheri enjoys spending time with her husband of 33 years; her 5-year-old boxer - Mosey; family, and friends. She also loves her time in the mountains foraging with her dad; gardening, running, and listening to music.
AESD & OSPI Statewide Collaboration Updates from the NWESD Region
Educational Technology
The AESD Educational Technology Network provides online resources to help develop and implement inclusive learning environments. These resources focus on educational technology best practices, digital equity & inclusion, media literacy and digital citizenship. They will also help improve cybersecurity, procurement & resource planning, and help to establish IT best practices. EdTech professional learning opportunities include: • EdTech Regional Educator Network (REN), our online professional learning network focusing on ed-tech best practices • Learning Management Systems (LMS) • Video conferencing best practices • Deep-Dive courses We are excited to share that the WA Department of Commerce Digital Equity Forum will listen to recommendations on how to advance digital equity. The state’s goal is to provide 150 Megabits download and upload broadband internet to all residents by 2028. Sign up to attend an upcoming community listening session bit.ly/3Lo93Gg Sessions are May 10, 5:00 – 6:30 PM or May 11, 12:00 – 1:30 PM.
Contact: Trinh Pham, NWESD EdTech Coodinator tpham@nwesd.org
ClimeTime
Since 2018, NWESD has worked with Washington’s ClimeTime - Climate Science Initiative and other climate-related educational organizations. These collaborations increase teacher access to Climate Science and Next Generation Science Standards professional learning. Our focus is always on professional development. Some activities help teachers learn more about the materials they are already using. Others combine new materials and lessons for teachers’ use. For questions or requests about climate science and NGSS learning, Contact: Brian MacNevin, Regional Science Coordinator bmacnevin@nwesd.org
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
As of March 2022, twenty-eight district leadership teams from around the state are engaged in the first year of the MTSS implementation cohort. With the support of professional learning and technical assistance, these teams are working to build the supporting infrastructure necessary to implement a continuum of holistic evidence-based practices to achieve positive outcomes for every student.
Contact: Abby Trimble, MTSS Regional Implementation Coordinator atrimble@nwesd.org nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 7
ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE! Talk with your student to spark their interests, encourage their strengths, and get them thinking about possible careers. Support them by understanding graduation requirements and financial aid opportunities for post-high school education or training.
THREE STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 1
HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND PLANNING:
`
Start with a career interest inventory in middle school
`
Create a four-year high school course schedule that matches students’ interests
` Create a resume and get information about financial aid Learn more at www.readywa.org/beyond and https://bit.ly/2020GradToolkit
2
Most jobs in Washington state will be filled by workers who complete a credential after high school, such as a two- or fouryear degree, an apprenticeship, or certificate. We must prepare our children to succeed in our economy and in their communities!
COMPLETE 24 CREDITS: `
17 core courses
`
4 electives
`
3 personalized path classes that align with students’ High School and Beyond Plans
Learn more at www.sbe.wa.gov/our-work/graduation-requirements/materialsfamilies-and-students
3
COMPLETE 1 OF 8 GRADUATION PATHWAYS: `
The first opportunity to complete this requirement for English and math is with the Smarter Balanced assessments, taken in 10th grade.
`
Chosen pathway should match the goals in each student’s High School and Beyond Plan.
Learn more about graduation pathways: www.stand.org/washington/blog/washington-graduation-pathway-resources Learn more about Smarter Balanced assessments: www.readywa.org/families/fact-sheets-for-families/by-parents-for-parents/ 8 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 9
NWESD High School Art Show Winners
Samantha Kotulak Genderfluid
Toko Kameda Escapism
Ella Johnson Fantasy Fusing
Paint Grade 12 Kamiak HS Teacher: Emily Palmiter
Photography Grade 12 Glacier Peak HS Teacher: Christa Mallory
Painting Grade 11 Kamiak HS Teacher: Emily Palmiter
Description: The watercolor self-portrait represents myself escaping the restricting reality of pandemic life by imagining birds, which symbolizes freedom, and the blurs add to my unstable state of myself.
Description: This picture is a selfportrait of myself wearing makeup. The picture consists of transgender, genderfluid, and nonbinary pride colors. I printed, ripped, and glued each layer together.
Description: This piece is an oil painting self-portrait. It has self-pressed flowers glued to it.
Award: Best in Show
Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Award: NWESD Staff Choice
“You can’t use up creativity.
The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou
10 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Natalie Freitas Tiger Painting Grade 11 Marysville Getchell HS Teacher: Cathleen Pettell-Price Description: A portrait of a boy painted in watercolor. The colors used are mainly orange and red. Only the face, neck, and head are seen, the background is white. Artist statement: My main idea was to paint the boy with similar colors as a tiger and give insight into his expression of independence and strength. I learned to use symbolism in art and practiced dramatic lighting in watercolor.
Emma Hansen Floating Island
Ryan Sanchez Carrion Charcoal Grade 12 Oak Harbor HS Teacher: Kit Christopherson Description: It’s a reverse shading piece done with white charcoal on a black canvas. Artist statement: I’ve always gone for a skeletal theme, as the gritty nature and texture of bones interest me. I settled with a ram skull, as the grooves on the horns seemed like an interesting challenge for my first piece in this medium. Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Photography Grade 11 Snohomish HS Teacher: Jay Adams
Grace Miller Sight Sound Smell Pencil Grade 11 South Whidbey HS Teacher: Valerie Heggenes Description: A graphite drawing of a lady who seems to have sensed something unpleasant.
Description: I took this photo on my iPhone 11 pro. Behind the houses, there is a view of the whole city of Everett, but on this day, the heavy fog made them appear to be on a floating island high in the clouds. Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 11
NWESD High School Art Show Winners
James Mayne Hi to Mother
Myles Rhea Oregon Lighthouse
Painting Grade 12 Oak Harbor HS Teacher: Kit Christopherson
Painting Grade 11 Burlington-Edison HS Teacher: Suzanne Mclelland
Digital Grade 12 Everett HS Teacher: Aimee Leggett
Clay/Ceramic Grade 11 Everett HS Teacher: Aimee Leggett
Description: A watercolor portrait of my mother and peonies.
Description: This is a watercolor landscape painting of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon.
Description: Where the Birds fly is a digital piece of a mouse in the fall wishing to fly like the birds above. The painting explores my theme of wanderlust.
Description: My sculpture idea of emotions and body form was by using the etching to emphasize the scars and rolls, and expressions. Along with the coils making the limbs wrap around themselves in a fetal pose.
Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Award: Regional Finalist Painting
On May 26 at 3 pm tune in to Facebook Live to see the celebration of the 49th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show. Washington students and their artwork will be honored by several statewide organizations. The performing arts will also be spotlighted. th
facebook.com/waOSPI 12 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
Holly Schoales Where the Birds Fly
Artist statement: The longing ties into my theme of wanderlust. The mouse wished to be where the birds were. They wished to fly. I showed this longing by making the trees above form a heart around the sky peeking through, as well as making the mouse sadder and more animated to show expression. Award: Regional Finalist Digital nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Celina Escamilla Safe and Sound
Artist statement: This piece is a comfort to me and curling up is something I do when I get so overwhelmed I can’t breathe, and all I can do is try to calm myself from these feelings. Award: $2,000 CWU Scholarship Winner
Angelica Hernandez Flores Contrasting Hands Clay/Ceramic Grade 12 Everett HS Teacher: Aimee Leggett Description: A ceramic sculpture of hands with pieces of wire added on for effect. Artist statement: I created this piece to demonstrate how two different beings or ‘people’ were able to get close enough to embrace hands without regard or care for their differences. Award: Regional Finalist 3-D
Clara Warren Grandpa Bob
Ella Johnson One and the Same
Blake Fisher As it Grows
Pencil Grade 10 Kamiak HS Teacher: Caitlin Rogers
Mixed Media Grade 11 Kamiak HS Teacher: Emily Palmiter
Photography Grade 11 Oak Harbor HS Teacher: Jana Jansen
Description: A pencil portrait of my grandpa, Grandpa Bob, created after he passed away.
Description: This is a painting collage. The hummingbirds are painted with gouache and the background is watercolor. The feathers are all individually cut and pasted.
Description: A close-up birds-eye view of a work of art in the forest.
Artist statement: In art class, we were assigned to do a pencil portrait. Just recently, my grandpa had passed Award: away. I decided to Regional Finalist take this opportunity Mixed Media and draw him, as a way to remember him and channel my grief.
Artist statement: Most of my work is done within the trees and in the shrubs. I find nature to be an exquisite place for photography, as the trees standing tall and leaves of color form seasons presenting a great opportunity for such work as the photo I presented.
Award: Regional Finalist Drawing
Award: Regional Finalist Photography
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 13
SNOW Save a Life Award Christy Rittenhouse, MSN, RN Mount Vernon School District At the School Nurse Organization of Washington’s (SNOW) Spring Conference, Christy Rittenhouse, MSN, RN at the Mount Vernon School District was nominated by her peers and honored with the “Save a Life Award”.
Christy Rittenhouse MSN, RN Mount Vernon SD
As the lead nurse for Mount Vernon School District, Christy Rittenhouse has coordinated the efforts to arrange for standing orders and stock epi-pens to be at all ten of our school buildings as well as naloxone at the two high school campuses and just recently the two middle school campuses. Her excellent nursing assessment and quick actions have resulted in personally saving lives six times so far this year at her high school campus. That does not include her many other nursing interventions that have made sure students received their epinephrine auto-injections for anaphylaxis. Her first day of students returning to school in this historic time of COVID included assessing a student who had experienced a seizure before coming school.
COVID Test Distribution ESDs Help to Keep Schools Open This Spring This past year each of Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs) added a valuable position to their staff, a COVID Coordinator. The staffing addition was in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health (DoH) and Health Commons project known as Learn to Return, with the goal of providing centralized regional support for district and ESD staff testing needs, with a focus on keeping students in school and addressing any gaps in screening and testing capabilities. The overall goal is to minimize COVID-19 spread and assist districts with DoH guidelines. Thinking back on the beginning of the year, Jamie Kidd, NWESD COVID Coordinator recalled, “We experienced a perfect storm. It was a combination of the high school wrestling outbreak in December, which led to increased demand for tests. There was an overall spike in Omicron cases placing a strain on test kit supplies. And then, a historic snowfall cut off supply routes which delayed test shipments around the state even further.” Test supplies were in gridlock. Jamie Kidd
NWESD COVID Coordinator
In early January, ESDs and their COVID Coordinators answered the DoH call to help by becoming test distribution hubs in each region. As part of that model, the NWESD continues to receive a weekly shipment of tests from the DoH and Jamie is the liaison for districts and private schools across our five-county region regarding their testing needs. They allocate tests to each district according to student enrollment and district feedback. “Since mid-January, we have been able to keep tests in the hands of school districts,” Jamie said. Jamie has been an integral part of coordinating test shipments, delivery, and pick up at the NWESD between the DoH and our 35 school districts, tribal compact schools, and private schools. We have distributed four assorted brands of rapid tests to districts: BinaxNow, CareStart, iHealth, and BD Veritor. As of April 15 the NWESD has helped to distribute over 750,000 COVID tests among the public-school districts and private schools.
14 | Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022
nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
:
Cindy Garrison at cgarrison@nwesd.org or call (360) 299-4057
Cory Duskin, District 6
Annual Report Ann McMurray, District 7
Sue Phillips, District 8 Edmonds, Mukilteo
View the Annual Report online: nwesd.org/20-21-a-year-in-review nwesd.org | (360) 299-4000
Education Connection, Spring/Summer 2022 | 15
Online Learning for Educators
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