Fife Public Schools » Achievements

Congratulations to Our New National Board Certified Teachers!

Elaine Smith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:21:15 +0000

We’d like to congratulate five of our teaching staff on receiving word last week that they had achieved National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Leanna Aker – CJH Science Teacher, Nadine Baxter – SLMS Art Teacher, Laura Nixon – Hedden 5th Grade Teacher, Phil Moseley – CJH Science Teacher, and Ed Scheidt – CJH Language Arts Teacher completed a year of rigorous study and reflection on their teaching practices.

After compiling a portfolio of evidence to show proficiency in a series of standards, teachers attempting this high level of certification must then pass a very difficult written examination.

From the NBPTS website:

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards improves teaching and student learning.National Board Certified Teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet high and rigorous standards.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.NBPTS offers 25 certificates that cover a variety of subject areas and student developmental levels.

In a congressionally-mandated study, National Board Certification was recently recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.

Since 1987 nearly 74,000 teachers have achieved National Board Certification. These teachers prepare America’s diverse student population with the skills it needs to compete in the 21st century workplace.

Congratulations to Mrs. Aker, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Nixon, Mr. Moseley, and Mr. Scheidt. We are proud of you and this very impressive accomplishment!

Congratulations Dr. Mark Knight!

Elaine Smith — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:55:07 +0000

We are proud to announce that FHS Principal, Mark Knight, has been awarded his education doctorate by the University of Washington! Dr. Knight defended his dissertation, ““The Use of Student Voice to Inform Communities of Practice in the Lesson Design Process: Conclusions for System Leaders Seeking to Increase Student Engagement,” this morning. Dr. Knight has been participating in the Leadership for Learning Program through the UW Center for Educational Leadership. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Knight by leaving a comment below.

Eagle Scout Projects Rejuvinates Lions Club Gift

Elaine Smith — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:16:02 +0000

Fife High School Senior, Robert Shaw, recently completed a completed renovation of a memorial first built in 1955 by the Fife Lions Club. A boy scout since first grade, he choose this undertaking to fufill the requirements needed for his Eagle Scout Project. When he heard several people talk about how run down the memorial, located in the southwest corner of Trojan Memorial Field, appeared he thought this would be the perfect project to complete. He liked the idea of giving back to his high school and community. Enlisting several volunteers – including fellow FHS seniors Stephanie McFarland, Ian Allen, Caleb Lewis, and Jeff Kohls – Robert got busy pressure washing, removing overgrown shrubs, grass, and moss, and sanding down the rusted metal. Besides repainting the sculpture he rebarked the area around the memorial and planted some new cedar trees along the backside. Fife School District maintenance crew members helped out by pruning back a lower limb on the giant cedar tree that resides to the right of the structure and installing a new dual light on the school board; one light will shine on the flag when it is displayed and one will shine on the memorial.

A special rededication will be happening at a future home FHS football game. Congratuations Robert and thank you for this beautiful gift you have given to all of us!

District Art Show Fabulous Success!

Elaine Smith — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:50:06 +0000

The CJH LIbrary was packed with artists, teachers, and proud families/friends on the evening of May 27 at the annual district art show. Kudos to district art teachers Kendra Danielson, Nadine Baxter, Melissa Brownell, and Kelli Loomis for once again putting together such a tremendous showcase of student work.

Enjoy this slideshow of pictures taken at the show and then leave the students and teachers a comment with your reactions/thoughts!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trojan TV Wins Emmy Award!

Elaine Smith — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:39:27 +0000

For the third consecutive year, Trojan Digital Media has been awarded an Emmy for their February installment of Trojan TV.

Teacher John Shula’s students also received Emmy nominations for four other productions – Real World Gotham, Trench Table, Santa SWAT, and Jack Stone.

Congratulations Mr. Shula and students; this industry level recognition is a well-deserved honor!

To view the award winning February Trojan TV visit the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and to view other productions and learn more about video production at FHS please visit the Trojan Digital Media website.

Congratulations Employees of the Year

Elaine Smith — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:51:32 +0000

Congratulations to our fourteen 2008-2009 District Employees of the Year! Every spring, each building honors a teacher and/or classified employee for their high quality work. This collective group truly represents the best of the best – as we feel our district’s staff is second to none! Each will be honored at a luncheon and at our April Board Meeting, held April 27, where the District Teacher of the Year and District Classified Employee of the Year will be named out of this outstanding group of nominees.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

CJH Teacher Appointed to National Commission

Elaine Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:14:04 +0000

Congratulations to Keith Hannah, Columbia Junior High business education teacher, who was recently appointed to serve on the National ACTE (Association for Career & Technical Education) Policies Commission for Business & Economics Education for the 2009-2012 triennium!

This commission writes policies that legislators use to gauge program effectiveness and which the National Business Education Association then uses as a basis for national standards and consequently what states use in the development of state and local CTE standards in the area of business education.

There are less than 20 members asked to serve from all across the country who are selected from both secondary and post-secondary levels.

More information about this commission can be found at http://www.nbea.org/curriculum/pcbee.html

Congratulations Mr. Hannah!

Fife Students Sign Letters of Intent

Elaine Smith — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:16:34 +0000

Congratuations to the following student-athletes who have signed letters of intent this past week:

Congrats Newly Certified Staff

Elaine Smith — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:44:06 +0000

Three Fife School District staff members recently were awarded their National Board Certifications. Congratulations to John Sutich (FHS Counselor), Jeanie Iovino (FHS Spanish Teacher), and Cynthia Dixon (Discovery Primary Special Education Teacher).

“Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. NBPTS offers 25 certificates that cover a variety of subject areas and student developmental levels.”
– taken from National Board for Professional Teacher Certification website.

We commend these employees for choosing to go for this optional certification and congratulate them on this fabulous accomplishment; they join fellow national board certified colleagues Karen McCurley (Discovery), Tina Cook (SLMS), and Lisa Hope (FHS).

“After 30 years in the district I needed this to stay sharp. The process forces you into an examination of your educational practices that ordinarily you would not pursue. I got a late start (November) so I was pleased that I was able to organize the portfolio satisfactorily. The process is not to be taken lightly. I spent many weekends and vacation days at school composing my portfolio entries. I am especially happy that all my work met the standard!”
John Sutich, FHS Counselor

“I was happy to be able to do a professional development that actually applied to my area because there isn’t much out there for language teachers. I felt it was very applicable to me and what I teach.”
Jeanie Iovino, FHS Spanish Teacher

”This was a great process. I enjoyed being challenged and constantly asking myself why I do the things I do. If it doesn’t impact student learning, why do it? How can I measure whether or not a student has benefited from my interventions? The self-reflection aspect of the process was wonderful for me.”
Cynthia Dixon, Discovery Primary Special Education Teacher

Congrats State Champs

Elaine Smith — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:32:36 +0000

Fife High School, and the entire school district family, is celebrating the recent crowning of several state champions. Nakayla Chan, FHS swimmer, placed first in both the 200 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Breaststroke races. Alicia Cleveland won her championship during the 200 Yard IM event. Megan Harkness and Jessica Trinidad joined Nakayla and Alicia to place first in the 200 Yard Medley Relay. The swim team placed fourth overall under the leadership of their coach, Jo Bushnell.

The girls’ soccer team won its second consecutive state championship by defeating Cedarcrest 1-0. After tying 0-0 in regulation, the two teams battled through two overtime periods and the Trojan women prevailed in a 4-3 shootout. Congrats to Coach Shimoda and this group of dedicated athletes who finished their season 20-0-1.

The FHS Volleyball team also qualified for the state tourney as did the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams. The girls cross country team placed 9^th – their highest finish ever.

Congrats to all these dedicated student athletes!