The One-to-One is sent to your mailboxes, both physical and virtual, each quarter to keep you up-to-date with PSESD. This online version has expanded articles and full class descriptions. You can also download a PDF of the printed version.

Succeed

SUCCEED: Be prepared to succeed in a post-secondary education and a chosen career

The Puget Sound Educational Service District is committed to getting students ready to learn by implementing four targeted strategies:

  • Be prepared to succeed in post-secondary education and a chosen career
  • Support successful drop out prevention and reengagement polices and practices
  • Lead regional collaborations to redesign policies and procedures to support safe and healthy youth
  • Support college assistance planning efforts

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Programs that SUCCEED!

The Puget Sound ESD is helping prepare students across the region prepare to succeed in post-secondary education through a multitude of unique collaborations with school districts, community partners, and learning opportunities. A few examples of our current work includes:

As many of you may be aware, Puget Sound ESD in collaboration with The Road Map District Consortium received $40 million in the prestigious Race to the Top grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education recently. However, did you know that many components of the grant focus directly on ways to improve student college and career readiness? There are five major Projects Scope of Work: “Creating a Regional System for Career Awareness and Exploration,” “Creating an Integrated System of Middle and High School Advising,” “Adopting the College Board College and Career Readiness Pathway,” “College and Career Readiness Investment Fund,” and, “Full Integration of the High School and Beyond Plan.” Details for each of these components is on our website under Race to the Top Projects Scopes of Work.

Early Warning System

Discussion around what may be the best way to promote a strong Early Warning Indicator System across the region was the top subject of discussion among the seven school districts in the Road Map District Consortium last month. In an effort to strengthen systems of intervention so all students can be on track for graduation and postsecondary success, Superintendents and educators from Auburn, Federal Way, Tukwila, Highline, Seattle, Kent, and Renton reviewed findings and recommendations published in a recent inventory conducted by the Puget Sound ESD. Leaders shared practices currently in place and discuss ways to implement a strong Early Warning System with existing systems and resources. The ultimate goal of this project is to have fully functioning early warning systems in each of the seven districts and to work collectively as a region to promote proactive systems of prevention and intervention.

College Bound Scholarship

The College Bound Scholarship is an early commitment of state financial aid that intends to improve high school graduation and college enrollment rates for low-income middle school students.

Eligible students, typically those who are eligible for the free- and reduced-price lunch program, may apply in 7th or 8th grade and must have a complete application on file with the Washington Student Achievement Council by June 30 at the end of their 8th grade year. When they apply for the program, students pledge to graduate from high school with a 2.0 GPA or higher, not to be convicted of a felony, and file the FAFSA in a timely manner to determine their income eligibility.

The Scholarship covers tuition (at public institution rates) and fees, plus a small book allowance. It is designed to fill the gap not covered by State Need Grant or other state financial aid.

The success of the program is due to the collaborative work of the K-12 system, state agencies, non-profit organizations, and college access groups. These partners work together to sign up students and support them through the middle and high school years. To date more than 135,000 students have applied to the program.

Please visit www.collegebound.wa.gov in order to access more information about the College Bound Scholarship.

Red Road

The Red Road Project is a highly competitive, four-year college prep grant from the Office of Indian Education for the class of 2014 and 2015 high school students. Coordinators work closely with more than 100 students, their counselors and teachers to make sure they take and pass rigorous classes to better prepare them for college. The coordinators also assist students and families through the entire college application process: finding the right school that meets their interests, prepping and taking the SAT test, filling out applications and writing entrance essays, applying for financial aid, and knowing what to expect the first year of college.

Graduation, Reality And Dual-Role Skills (GRADS) are programs for pregnant teens and/or young parents that focus on work and family foundation skills of significance to these students. GRADS programs include student demonstration of skills leading to high school graduation and economic independence. The program includes on-site childcare and practicums, as well as coordination of learning activities outside the classroom. Currently, seventeen school districts in Washington State, including four districts in the Puget Sound ESD region, offer GRADS programs.

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Compassionate Schools Summer Learning Events

Compassionate Schools creates caring classrooms and attitudes, and benefits all students including those chronically exposed to stress and trauma. The program helps keep all students engaged and learning by creating and supporting a healthy climate and culture within the school.

Puget Sound ESD is proud to present two Compassionate School Summer Learning Opportunities

Compassionate Schools Summer Institute

Puget Sound ESD, 800 Oakesdale Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057 – Blackriver Conference Center
August 13, 2013 – 8:00 – 3:30

Morning: Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Effect on Children’s Learning
This interactive workshop will cover brain science, Adverse Childhood Experience Study, and resilience research. You will learn about the prevalence and lifelong cost of adverse childhood experiences, the vital role of the school culture in optimizing wellbeing, and how to use this research to create a compassionate classroom.

Afternoon: The Heart of Learning and Teaching
This interactive workshop will help you assess your school environment using the ten values of a compassionate school.

Costs: Individuals $100; teams of 4 or more $80 per participant, Breakfast snacks and lunch included


CHAMPS Training

Puget Sound ESD, 800 Oakesdale Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057 – Blackriver Conference Center
August 14 & 15, 2013

CHAMPS assists classroom teachers to design (or fine tune) a proactive positive classroom management plan that will teach students how to behave responsibly

    Key Benefits of CHAMPS:

  • Teachers establish clear expectations with logical and fair responses to misbehavior.
  • Teachers spend less time disciplining and more time teaching.
  • Teachers learn tools to motivate students to do their best.
  • Students are taught how to behave responsibly.

CHAMPS strategies are easy to implement & will:

  • Reduce classroom disruptions and office referrals
  • Improve classroom climate
  • Increase student on-task behavior
  • Establish respectful and civil interactions

Individuals $225, Teams of 4 or more $200 per participant

Space is limited to first 128 participants for each workshop. Registration Deadline June 28, 2013 To register contact Teri Hebert at thebert@psesd.org or 253-778-7950 / 425-917-7950

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Reader Reminder

The One-to-One newsletter is moving! To best serve our readers, this will be the last printed edition of One-to-One! Beginning in September, you can find the newsletter at its current web address: www.psesd.org/121 along with all of the same class descriptions, agency information and professional development opportunities! Bookmark the URL and stay up-to-date on what’s happening!

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