May - June Board to Board Newsletter

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board to board News from the Board of NWESD

A Note from Our Superintendent As the school year rapidly comes to a close, I find myself reflecting back on all that has transpired over the past 10 months across our region, state, and nation. I suppose I’m not alone in feeling unsettled – unsettled by the new ways our schools are funded and the resulting challenges facing educators, students, and school communities; unsettled by the continued disparities in access, opportunity, and outcomes so many of our young people continue to experience; unsettled by a growing sense of “us vs. them” in nearly all facets of life; and unsettled by nagging problems that seem to defy every attempt at a solution. And then every week comes Thursday. That’s the afternoon and evening each week that my wife and I get to spend time with our nearly four year old granddaughter. And that’s the time each week when I get reminded that there is so much more that is right in our world than everything that can seem so wrong. On Thursdays, I get reminded of the joy of seeing the most simple and routine experiences – running through the yard, playing hide and seek, giving piggy back rides, reading stories, coloring pictures, bath time – as opportunities to enjoy life unburdened by all the worries and doubts that can cloud so much of my daily life. Our granddaughter is thankfully oblivious to the world of adult anxieties, and for a few hours each week she gives us the gift of being removed from them as well. I often wonder what it would take to spread this sense of unlimited optimism, endless curiosity, and boundless possibility to the other six and half days of the week? But I know that it’s really all in my mindset – choosing to see the good in the world and those in it; choosing to assume positive intent in others; choosing to approach differences with curiosity and openness over suspicion and cynicism; and choosing to appreciate the gifts I’ve been given rather than resent what seems lacking. So as the days get longer and warmer (isn’t it always easier to be optimistic and positive during spring and summer in our beautiful Northwest region?), I’m recommitting to approaching more of my life and work focusing on what’s good and getting better and less on what seems wrong and frustrating. I encourage you to do the same. And if you find yourself slipping back into deficit thinking, give yourself permission to view the world through the eyes of an almost four year old. Or better yet, spend time with a child and let them remind you of all there is to appreciate and enjoy in your life.

Larry Francois

NWESD Superintendent

May-June 2019


New Technology Director The Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD) is thrilled to announce Les Valsquier as our new Director of Technology Services. Les comes to the NWESD with over 20 years of IT management and experience. In his most recent position at the Edmonds School District, Les worked to ensure excellent customer service in all areas of technology support and implementation for almost four years. It is no surprise that Les ended up in the field of education as he descends from a long line of educators. Les’s parents were both professors and his grandparents were teachers and principals. In his role as Director of IT, Les will manage a team of four network support specialists with a focus on providing technology solutions problem-solving and maintaining great customer service to the NWESD staff and school districts. Les has many passions, and as a native to the Pacific Northwest, he has sailed, biked, hiked, and adventured through the area, usually with a dog or two. He has volunteered as Communications & Systems Coordinator on Project Ocean Watch, a multi-year, integrated learning initiative with a unique platform and powerful promise to inspire ocean conservation and cultivate the next generation of ocean stewards. Les is also a licensed and experienced UAV pilot and enjoys aerial photography. Please join us in welcoming Les to the NWESD!

Deeper Learning Update The NWESD Deeper Learning Cluster is a network of five school districts and 15 schools that have been working together for the past three years. The network engages in study and collaborative inquiry concerning pedagogical practices that create deeper learning, learning partnerships that engage students with real world examples, learning environments that create deeper learning, and digital technology to accelerate learning. The Deeper Learning Cluster is committed to the common vision: All students are engaged in a “combination of a deeper understanding of core academic content, an ability to apply that understanding to novel problems and situations, and a range of competencies related to human interaction and self-management.” Learning progressions or rubrics have been created by New Pedagogies for Deeper Learning (NPDL) and teachers work together to create learning experiences for students that incorporate both the content standards and the Deep Learning Progressions, which are Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking, Character, Citizenship, and Collaboration. On April 16-17, network members spent two days at Microsoft in Redmond, WA engaging in new learning and collaborating with schools from other states. On May 30, the NWESD will hold the third annual Symposium for Innovative Education, and teachers will share with other teachers the units and learning experiences that they have created for their students throughout this school year. For more information about Deeper Learning: Pam Estvold, NWESD Superintendent of Teaching & Learning


School District Distributes Hall of Fame Awards

The Sedro-Woolley School District recognized four community members for their contributions during the annual Community Recognition Ceremony on April 18. Lucille Mitchelle (representing her late brother Dennis “Wayne” Cole), Mark Venn, NWESD Board chair, Cameron Cleeland and Dick Straathoff. Past recipients helped make the final decision about who received the recognition in each of the categories: Memorial, Athletic, District, and Community.

AESD Conference & ESD Day Photos

“Westside” superintendents having fun during the AESD Conference Family Feud game.

AESD Conference and ESD 50th Anniversary was held at Skamania Lodge.

A copy of the Governor’s proclamation declaring February 5, 2019, ESD Day. Merle Kirkley, Executive Board Member & Jessica Haag, Communications Specialist representing the NWESD in Olympia.

Cyrus Habib, Lt. Governor, who spoke about his passion for education and told us his own personal history.


Charles Crabtree, District 1 Bellingham, Meridian

Dr. Jack Thompson, District 2 Blaine, Ferndale, Lopez Island, Lynden, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Shaw Island Mark Venn, District 3 Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, Conway, Darrington, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley Claudia Talmadge, District 4 Coupeville, Lakewood, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, South Whidbey, Stanwood-Camano Dr. Alan Erickson, District 5 Everett

Cory Duskin, District 6 Arlington, Granite Falls, Index, Marysville, Sultan Claudia Buxton, District 7

2019 HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW The NWESD had three winners and one honorable mention at the State level Superintendent’s High School Art Show 2019. Congratulations to these Oak Harbor and Friday Harbor High School students!!

Cherie Romona Miller “Guatemalan Family” Oak Harbor H.S. Instructor: Kit Christopherson Soma Andrews “Purification” Friday Harbor H.S. Instructor: Andrew Anderson Lucas Samuel Chevalier “Raging Bull” Friday Harbor H.S. Instructor: Andrew Anderson Loralai Marie Snyder Honorable Mention: “Primroses and Lilies” Oak Harbor H.S. Instructor: Kit Christopherson

Edmonds, Mukilteo

Gordon W. Griggs, District 8 Edmonds, Mukilteo

Merle Kirkley, District 9 Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish We are pleased to present NWESD’s 2017-2018 Annual Report. View online: www.nwesd.org/communications


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