Published: Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Edmonds VFW post recognizes teachers
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Contributed photo
VFW names Teachers of the Year VFW Post #8870 honored three local teachers for their efforts to promote American history and traditions through the classes they teach. From left are Bridget Mahoney-Fernandes, a social studies teacher at Edmonds-Woodway High School; Jami Samione, a social studies teacher at Maplewood K-8 Parent Cooperative; VFW member Fred Apgar; and Robert Allen, primary grade teacher at Madrona K-8 School.
Three local teachers were recognized Dec. 9 by the Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 for their efforts to promote American history, traditions and institutions, to teach and reinforce citizenship education topics, and to promote democratic values and beliefs.
The teacher recognition program is sponsored by the national VFW through its Citizenship Education Teacher Awards Program.
Honored teachers:
• Jami Samione, of Edmonds, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Maplewood Parent Cooperative in Edmonds, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year. Through the use of an interactive online program called “Civic Mirror,” her students create their own country and learn respect for civic involvement.
• Bridget Mahoney-Ferandes, of Edmonds, a social studies teacher at Edmonds-Woodway High School, was named High School Teacher of the Year. She has a passion for American history, and her curriculum emphasizes an understanding and appreciation of our nation's founding documents and institutions.
• Robert Allen, of Seattle, a primary grade teacher at the Madrona K-8 School, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. For several years, Allen has helped organize school assemblies and special programs designed to honor and respect veterans.
ELL support program gets $5K boost
The Edmonds Education Association was awarded a $5,000 Urban Grant -- one of only 25 in the nation -- from the National Education Association to support the Family Literacy Program in the Edmonds School District.
The Family Literacy Program, run out of Mountlake Terrace High School, teaches English to parents of district students who receive extra support to learn English. The program also helps their parents navigate the school system -- such as showing up for parent-teacher conferences -- and other educational and community resources. Child care is offered and includes literacy activities for those youngsters as well.
Edmonds School District serves over 1,200 families for whom English is not their first language. About 625 parents have participated in the Family Literacy Program.
Four years ago, Edmonds Community College took on the program, but due to budget cuts could no longer fund the program, according to the foundation's grant application. The school district has been making budget cuts of its own, so foundation staff sought grants to continue the work.
“Having greater parental involvement in school has helped to close the achievement gap for many of our ELL students,” the application says.
The $5,000 will go toward three instructors' salaries, child care and books and supplies for students.
Miller Foundation helps schools
The Hazel Miller Foundation recently approved grants for anti-bullying education to Holy Rosary School, as well as another year of scholarships to be administered through Edmonds School District Alumni Association.
Holy Rosary School received $5,195 for the Rachel's Challenge anti-bullying program that the foundation also supported in the Edmonds School District. The program will be open to the public.
The Edmonds School District Alumni Association was approved for a scholarship grant of $30,000 to continue to offer the Hazel Miller and the Hazel & Morris Miller memorial scholarships in 2012 to students in the district. An additional Hazel & Morris Miller Scholarship was added this year.
Coffee time with superintendent
Edmonds Schools Superintendent Nick Brossoit is to host his next roundtable discussion from noon-1 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Educational Service Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.
The teacher recognition program is sponsored by the national VFW through its Citizenship Education Teacher Awards Program.
Honored teachers:
• Jami Samione, of Edmonds, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Maplewood Parent Cooperative in Edmonds, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year. Through the use of an interactive online program called “Civic Mirror,” her students create their own country and learn respect for civic involvement.
• Bridget Mahoney-Ferandes, of Edmonds, a social studies teacher at Edmonds-Woodway High School, was named High School Teacher of the Year. She has a passion for American history, and her curriculum emphasizes an understanding and appreciation of our nation's founding documents and institutions.
• Robert Allen, of Seattle, a primary grade teacher at the Madrona K-8 School, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. For several years, Allen has helped organize school assemblies and special programs designed to honor and respect veterans.
ELL support program gets $5K boost
The Edmonds Education Association was awarded a $5,000 Urban Grant -- one of only 25 in the nation -- from the National Education Association to support the Family Literacy Program in the Edmonds School District.
The Family Literacy Program, run out of Mountlake Terrace High School, teaches English to parents of district students who receive extra support to learn English. The program also helps their parents navigate the school system -- such as showing up for parent-teacher conferences -- and other educational and community resources. Child care is offered and includes literacy activities for those youngsters as well.
Edmonds School District serves over 1,200 families for whom English is not their first language. About 625 parents have participated in the Family Literacy Program.
Four years ago, Edmonds Community College took on the program, but due to budget cuts could no longer fund the program, according to the foundation's grant application. The school district has been making budget cuts of its own, so foundation staff sought grants to continue the work.
“Having greater parental involvement in school has helped to close the achievement gap for many of our ELL students,” the application says.
The $5,000 will go toward three instructors' salaries, child care and books and supplies for students.
Miller Foundation helps schools
The Hazel Miller Foundation recently approved grants for anti-bullying education to Holy Rosary School, as well as another year of scholarships to be administered through Edmonds School District Alumni Association.
Holy Rosary School received $5,195 for the Rachel's Challenge anti-bullying program that the foundation also supported in the Edmonds School District. The program will be open to the public.
The Edmonds School District Alumni Association was approved for a scholarship grant of $30,000 to continue to offer the Hazel Miller and the Hazel & Morris Miller memorial scholarships in 2012 to students in the district. An additional Hazel & Morris Miller Scholarship was added this year.
Coffee time with superintendent
Edmonds Schools Superintendent Nick Brossoit is to host his next roundtable discussion from noon-1 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Educational Service Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.