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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05 Tukwila Reportertukwila reporter 05 • 2015 'You always celebrate your endings because it's going to be another beginning.' CYNTHIA CHESAK, ON THEATER WISDOM coverstory page 16 Beloved Foster drama teacher to direct one more play, graduation TUKWILA CITY: pages 14-15 Tukwila School District update, pages 18-19 [See US online www.tukwilareporter.com 2 ( MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Machinists OK contract Machinists Union mem- bers who work at Jorgensen Forge Corp. in Tukwila will get their first pay raises in seven years after ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement, The workers approved the three-year contract with an 94 percent yes vote recently They had rejected the company's first contract offer on April 9. "Our members at JFC stayed united in solidar- ity and won themselves a better contract;" said Joe Crockett, a business rep- resentative for Machinists Union District Lodge 751, said in a union press re- lease. Under the deal approved Friday, all Machinists at Jorgensen Forge will get 3 percent pay increases in May. In addition, the union's negotiating team expects that many of the workers will see additional pay in- creases as they work with the company to establish a universal pay scale for all workers, according to the release. ukwila Learning Center �w "We empower children to think, explore & navigate the journey of learning" WHY US: J Reggio (play based) Inspired Program • Qualified & Enthusiastic Staff J Child Progress Assessments • 1st Aid & CPR certified staff J Low teacher to child ratio J Scholarships Available J Easy access to community resources J Affordable • 3 ro • ;110 p. // / Pay tuition in full & receive 10% OFF Monthly payment options $50 secures your spot Explorers 3's Class Discovery Kids 4's Class AM Discovery Kids 4's Class PM Tues/Thurs $850 RD 9:30-11:30am $980 Mon/Wed/Fri $1450 RD 9:30am-12:OOpm $1600 Mon/Wed/Fri $1450 RD 12:30-3:OOpm $1600 RD= Resident Discount ITukwila Community Center ;,; TUKWI LA PARKS & RECREATION 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila GOOD HEALTH' FV, 206-768-2822 • kirstin.may@tukwilawa.gov Demolition of the former Circuit City building on Andover Park East in Southcenter was completed last week, to make way for the 19 -story Washington Place tower. The Circuit City sign was removed, then its support structure was cut and pulled down. Dean A. Radford/ Tukwila Reporter Demolition sign Washington Place is becoming reality ISY UC/4I111 N. KAUrUKU DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Demolition has been former Circuit City building on Andover Park East to make way for the new 19 -story Washington Place hotel and residential tower. Heavy equipment removed the big red Circuit City sign, then snipped away at ver- tical steel beams before tearing down the sign's support structure. The 418,000 -square -foot, $120 million tower will include 370 market -rate apart- ments, a 189 -room, business -class hotel and a 90 -seat restaurant. The project by developers Omar and Christine Lee is a key part of the City of Tukwila's strategic plans to encourage resi- dential development and mixed uses in its main business district in Southcenter. The Lees have been residential and com- mercial developers since 1980. They de- veloped the Great Wall Shopping Mall in Kent that includes restaurants, shops and a grocery store. The Tukwila City Council received a briefing on the development Monday (May 11) at its meeting at City Hall. The developers have asked the city to reduce or defer development fees for the mixed-use development. Christine Lee addressed the council at the meeting. "I am not asking you to waive fees or re- move fees," she said. "I am asking you to use a different method of calculation" The city's Economic Development staff has estimated the developers will pay more than $1.5 million in building and impact fees, according to a staff report. The total construction cost is estimated at $74 mil- lion. Building permit fees are used to review plans and for construction inspections, while impact fees pay for capital projects parks and fire services. City staff is recommending to the City Council that it not reduce or eliminate building or impact fees for the develop- ment. To do so would first require a "care- ful review" to the city's general fund, ac- cording to the staff report. The development staff also questioned whether reducing such fees for one specific project but not others is legal, because it could be a gift of public funds which isn't permitted. The staff does recommend that the city create a fee -deferral program within the Transit Oriented Development area in the Southcenter District to encourage residen- tial development. The city administration will continue to work with the Lees on their request for a reduction or deferral of fees. Council members express continued support for the project. The Lees told the council's Finance and Safety Committee in early May that they will build the hotel but whether they build the residential part — multi -family units that could be converted to condominiums — "hangs in the balance; according to the staff report. The Lees will finance approximately $60 million of the Washington Place project themselves, according to a news release is- sued when the Lees broke ground last fall. The remaining funding will come from the federal EB -5 Visa program, which of- fers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain a U.S. green card by investing in a commercial enterprise in the United States. The city has already made modifications to its development standards for the devel- opment related to height, open space, con- dominiums, signage and residential units. Dean A. Radford cam be reached at 425- 255-3484, ext. 5150. www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 3 Tukwila fire captain remembered for service BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@ TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Capt. Mike McCoy, a well-re- spected member of the Tukwila Fire Department, died April 22, after a sudden and unexpected medical emergency. He was remembered by hun- dreds of his family and friends and members of the broad fire- fighting community at a Line of Duty Death funeral service May 5 at the New Life Church in Rent- on. Dozens of firefighting appara- tus from fire agencies throughout the region formed a procession to the church from Tukwila. McCoy, 51, who was a long- time senior member of the Na - Fire apparatus from throughout the region formed a procession from Tukwila to the funeral for Tukwila Fire Capt. Mike McCoy at the New Life Church in Renton. Dean A. Radford/rukwila Reporter tional Disaster Medical Systems (NDMS) field leadership team, was in Anniston, Ala., for an NDMS class at the time, accord- ing to the City of Tukwila. Region plans for ST3 bond Sound Transit will accelerate the planning for the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure by developing a draft list of prior- ity projects the public can comment on in June. The City of Tukwila has been lobbying for years for a project to go on the measure - a new Link light-rail station at the Boeing Access Road in north Tukwila. Sound Transit has considered that station in the past but it hasn't been funded. However, it is in the draft list of pro- posed projects. King County Executive Dow Constantine, who chairs the Sound Transit Board, has directed Sound Transit staff to begin the planning process. The Sound Transit 3 ballot measure will go to voters in fall 2016. A delegation of City of Tukwila officials went to Wash- ington, D.C., recently to discuss the light-rail station and other issues with federal officials, including U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. That station would serve the retail and industrial areas near Boeing Field, the Aviation High School and Tukwi- la's Museum of Flight and residential areas. The museum could see its attendance grow by 25 percent. "I think it is also important to highlight the fact that it is not just us, but a broad coalition of employers, organi- zations and residents who are working on the commuter rail/light-rail station at the Boeing Access Road;" said Ra- chel Bianchi, the city's communications director. "Mike's passing is a great loss to the City of Tukwila and all of his fellow firefighters. He was a mentor and a friend who will be greatly missed by his extensive firefighting family," said Tukwila Fire Department Interim Chief Chris Flores. McCoy joined the Tukwila Fire Department in February 1986, when King County Fire District 1, where he originally worked, was annexed into the city. According to the City of Tuk- wila, McCoy started his career as a volunteer with King County Fire Districts 1 and 18 at 16 years old. He joined KCFD 26 in 1982 as a resident volunteer. In 1986 he was hired as a paid firefighter for KCFD 1. He joined the Tukwila Fire Department in 1987 when KCFD 1 was annexed into the City of Tukwila. McCoy also found time to work for Puget Sound Ambulance as an emergency medical technician from 1988 until 1990, for Ameri- can MedTech from 1990 until 1994, and for American Medical Response as a dispatcher from 1994 until the present. His accomplishments were not limited to emergency responses. McCoy was the lead adviser for the Tukwila Fire Explorer Post of the Zone 3 Fire Explorers, a Boys Scouts of America branch for young people interested in a career in public safety. McCoy is survived by wife Mary, sons Corbin and James, grandson Hunter, brothers Pat and KC, his father Earl, and nu- merous nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Midge and his son Char- lie. Lukwlla roam+ BEST0FZO14 TAWILA• SEAM • DES MOINESWPAD$ tukwila FlNAUST BESToF2O15 TUKWILA• SEATAC • DES MOINES,AWPADS) THANKS ran. ' ®. ui a _03 ;EVERYTHIWARD• • • GEAUS CHILD'S • • YOUR :COMFORT AND c� Tukwila, WA 98188 206-575-1130 * fax: 206-575-1133 www.doctorbuda.com * 6 month preventative exams * Free Orthodontic exams * Brushing for toddlers * Teething tips *White Fillings * Sports Guards * Space Maintainers *Thumb Guards * Anxiety Medication * General Anaesthesia available ur office is fun and kid friendly. We have great games and giveaways during the year. Your child gets a prize and sticker at every visit. Dr. Buda is currently accepting many different insurance plans. Over the last four years we have become a preferred provider for 7 major insurance companies including: *Aetna •Assurant *Cigna *Delta •DSHS •GreatWest •Guardian •Humana •Metlife •Premera •Regence •WDS •United Concordia 1309573 index tukwila'sstory Mayor John Strander was known for growing plants and designing award- winning landscapes. He helped grow a robust city, too. 4 thesuper When students start thinking about planning a career, teaching in the Tukwila's schools is a great option, writes Nancy Coogan. 6 notodrugs Tukwila's fifth -graders sent a message loud and strong to fellow students that they should just say no to drugs at their DARE graduation 13 topbulldog Foster sophomore Desire Katameya was named the Seamount League's soccer player of the year by the league's coaches. 16 finalbow Cynthia Chesak has served Foster and its students for 34 years. Now, she's planning her retirement: the `play's' the thing. tukwila reporter SOUND PUBLISHING INC. >19426 68th Avenue South > Kent, WA 98032 ,253.872.6600 > www.tukwilareporter.com 4 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com 0 • • > write staff regional publisher polly shepherd publisher ellen morrison publisher@tukwilareporter.com editor dean radford editor@tukwilareporter.com 425.255.3484, ext. 5150 circulation jay krause 253.872.6610 The Tukwila Reporter encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor (200 words or less) including your full name, address and phone number. HERE'S HOW To submit a letter to the editor, E-MAIL: editor@ tukwilareporter.com FAX: 253.437.6016 MAIL: 19426 68th Ave. S., Ste. A, Kent, WA 98032 STORY IDEAS: dradford@ tukwilareporter.com ONLINE CALENDAR: tukwilareporter.com tukwilacom enta Ladies Night Out is fun, inspirational And fun was had by all! I wanted to say thank you to Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce for putting on such a nice event; Ladies Night Out at Westfield Southcenter was a huge hit. The Ladies Night Out event was held at the Westfield Sky Terrace on a beautiful evening. There were retailers from Westfield Southcenter on site with a beauty bar so we could try some new beauty products, have our hair and nails done and indulge in sweet and savory appetizers and wine. Before leaving for the evening, we got to pick up a complimentary swag bag filled with wonderful samples from creams to candy, gra- ciously donated by some of Westfield Southcen- ter's retailers. I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful ladies whom I haven't had a chance to talk to before and it was so laid back that the con- versations were relaxed and personal; not a lot of business was conducted but a good opportunity to meet and talk to other career women. The Southwest King County Chamber of Com- merce also donated some of the ticket cost to the organization Bright Pink and Dr. Ani Fleisig of CHI Franciscan Health was the keynote speaker. Dr. Fleisig talked about a broad range of cancers from breast, skin, thyroid to sarcomas, a subject that has touched most all of us in some way. Before I left for the evening, I was wearing the pink bracelet from the swag bag to remind myself to make a breast -exam appointment. Thank you! W 2 c 0 =i mo 2 W = 1— w Ellen Morrison is publisher of the Tukwila Reporter. She can be reached at emorrison@tukwilareporter.com IfIlltl11111111g1g111611511� tiiiu ,q,. alrriuuuls.. . ii'4a !9irn 1.._ l�Y }� �j j t1( ..1II11WAIY09� 41� �1i i I1t 41 i 1u 1V� 1 ul�r"1 M«��i>; ISlMERM Choose career wisely; think about teaching Can you feel the excitement? We are less than one month away from grad- uation (if you're a senior, you probably have the countdown timed to the last second), and this year's commencement is going to be truly spectacular —we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Foster issuing its first-ever diploma back in 1915. Congratulations to all our graduates this centennial year! If there's one lesson from your schooling that I hope you take with you, it's this: You have limitless potential and whatever you choose to pursue passionately, you will achieve. (Of course, your teachers hope there are many many other lessons that stick with you.) That being said, choose what you pursue wisely. Some careers are just ca- reers; some careers are your calling. And if you find yourself at a crossroads, I want to issue a standing invitation to come back to the Tukwila School Dis- trict to make a difference in the lives of local children —just as your teachers did for you. I promise you there is no greater vocation, and we need you! First, we know that learning can be much richer for everyone when the diversity and life experiences of our staff mirror those of our students. Relationships are reinforced and stu- dents have active role models. In Tukwila, diversity is our strength and our asset and that is why recruiting and retaining diverse teachers have been ongoing, high- level priorities for me. This year we have partnered with many diverse education groups, making presentations and connections across the state. I have also written a feature article in the national "Teachers of Color Maga- zine" As a result, I am very proud to say that we are doubling our Martinez Fellows (a program to support highly skilled teachers of color) next year and at least half of our new teacher hires so far are ethnically and culturally diverse. I have also been working with the NAACP this year, and we are continuing to strategize to develop robust recruitment strategies. While we both agree that we can and will do more, the fact is there are simply far too few teachers of color — only 8 percent throughout Washington, compared to 25 percent in Tukwila — and we are fighting for them! A hardy thank you to the NAACP as our first partner to help with this worthwhile and purpose- ful effort. I will reach out also to other community groups that represent diverse student and family populations in our district's community to invite them to join us. Please feel free to recommend your organization to join our partnership. With this in mind, here in Tukwila, nobody better understands the diver- sity and experiences of our students better than former students themselves. We already have many proud Foster alumni working in our schools, and it is a great match. Diversity means more than skin color; it encompasses all sorts of different experiences, identities, beliefs, perspectives. Our hir- ing practices and employer commitment will continue to support educators who deeply appreciate the significance of every student's background, and who believe in the potential of each child. Foster graduates are uniquely [ more COOGAN page 5 CZ RI zc W o Z Letter to the editor Tukwila Pool deserves its own commission I am one of very few words, and recently came across a statement in a local blog that I found very riveting. I normally don't speak out or post editorials but I felt that in order to make a differ- ence, we must use our voice. This is the state- ment that really hit home with me in regard to governance change for the Tukwila Pool. "City Council members currently hold and march strongly on, not 'some time in the future,' but now. It is the council's responsibility to have trust in our community that the torch will burn on brighter and stronger by empowering citizens in leadership roles: a five -person independently elected commission:' This is exactly my thoughts for how I feel about the City of Tukwila. The time is now to allow cit- izens who have volunteered many hours of their time to sustaining the Tukwila Pool, marketing the Tukwila Pool, volunteering at monthly Tuk- wila Pool events and to help put Tukwila on the map in a good light by getting involved. We can all sit back and complain, but until you step up and do something, nothing will change. I believe in this and I know if empowering the citizens in leadership roles will only help grow our city to be the best city to live in. I was at the March Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District meeting where the commissioners (City Council) listened to all the citizens again, only to toss us aside. I do know the council has many hats that they wear and they are spread very thin. This is why allowing dedicated citi- zens the opportunity to help them, not hinder them to sustaining the Tukwila Pool, is the right thing to do. I do believe I came across a sign the other day "Tukwila the city of opportunity, city of choice:' Give the opportunity to the citizens for a five -person independently elected commis- sion, make the choice to empower citizens in leadership roles. Jeri Frangello-Anderson Tukwila Strander grew plants, city BY PAT BRODIN TUKWILA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Where I-5 makes a slight bend crossing over the Duwamish River there once was a sizable nursery with an immense inventory of hardy trees and shrubs. The construction of I-5 in the latter part of the 1960s wiped out a significant portion of the Strander Evergreen Nursery. This major re- gional transportation corridor may have removed a thriving Tukwila business; however, it did not dimin- ish the legacy left by John B. Strander who served as mayor of Tukwila from 1962 to 1967. John B. Strander was an award- winning landscape architect who was not only a talented plantsman but was energetically devoted to community service. After the construction of a major freeway took away 15 acres of his nursery, Mr. Strander continued his career designing landscapes and offering his years of nursery experi- ence for service to others as a horti- cultural consultant. He incorporated native plantings in his design of el- egant Northwest homes as well as sev- eral projects outside of Puget Sound including the grounds of Rocky Reach Dam near Wenatchee. The dam proj- ect earned him the American Associ- ation of Nurserymen's Plant America Award in 1965. Always creative and authoritative in his approach he con- sidered his community to be like a garden, something to be grown and nurtured - in his own way, he culti- vated his vision for Tukwila. As part of his ardent dedication to the community, John B. Strander served as a planning commissioner and later as mayor. While in the Of- fice of the Mayor, he helped the city expand its public safety, utilities and new streets to attract industrial parks which was the trend in that time pe- riod. The Southcenter retail mall, de- veloped in 1966-67, was one of the crowning highlights of his career. He was one of Tukwila's leaders during a time of significant transformation Opening day of Strander's Tukwila Garden Center was March 12, 1960.. Left to right are KIRO-TV Garden Editor Paul Brown, John B. Strander, Louise Strander and KOMO-TV Farm Editor Jim Hansen. BELOW: The garden cen- ter. Tukwila Historical Society propelling the City from a farm town to a commercial crossroads com- munity. Strander Boulevard near the mall and crossing the Green River at West Valley was named after Mayor Strander. Pat Brodin is a member of the Tuk- wila Historical Society. The society operates the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S. The center can be reached by phone at 206 -244 -HIST or via email at tukwila- heritagectr@tukwilahistory.org. [COOGAN from page 4] situated to fit that role and to increase the diversity of the teaching pool across the state. Notably, we hire the best and the brightest. Period. While we constantly seek to ex- pand the diversity in our recruitment pool, the bottom line is that all of our employees are highly skilled, ethical, compassionate people who put stu- dents first. So graduates, take me up on my of- fer: We want you back! I will even be slightly more generous and encourage you to go into the education field for any district. You have the ability to change the world in the classroom, and you have just the background and quality of character to be amaz- ing. If you need any help at all chart- ing a course to an educational career, contact me—whether it's for school/ training programs, mentorships, rec- ommendations, job shadows, or to just pick my brain. Hats off to you, Class of 2015! I couldn't be prouder of what you have already accomplished and what you will accomplish. The world is wide open to you, and so is the Tukwila School District. In service, Dr. Nancy Coogan Tukwila School Superin- tendent Dr. Nancy Coogan can be reached 206-901-8006 at ncoogan@tukwila. wednet. edu. www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 5 tukwilabriefs Read Tukwila news every day at Tukwilareporter.com Education center opens at museum The Museum of Flight on May 7 opened its $2.5 mil- lion Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center. The opening event coincided with the museum's Space Day celebration and Free First Thursday. The center will be open every day and staffed with an education professional to provide guidance about not only museum educational programs, but science, technology, engineering and math opportunities ev- erywhere. The facility's scope and personalized service sets a new standard in worldwide museum educational pro- grams, with attention to both families and students of all ages, according to a museum news release. Services are free with admission to the museum. The Education Center staffers help visiting families get started on any number of on-site fun educational activities around the Museum, including robotics, scavenger hunts and flight simulations. Staff can pro- vide college counseling, and the Center is equipped with visitor computer stations for accessing academic scholarships and career data. "I am trying to create an area with as much informa- tion about college, scholarship, grant, and internship opportunities as possible. If I had this information be- fore I went to college I would have had a completely different experience;' said Samantha Geltz, museum education services specialist The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea -Tac Airport. Foster seniors earn Act 6 scholarships Four Foster High School seniors have earned the prestigious Act Six Scholarship, the Northwest's only full -tuition, full -need award for emerging leaders who want to use their college education to make a differ- ence in their home communities. The recipients and their colleges are: • Cierra Ghafari, Pacific Lutheran University • Daynon Jackson, Pacific Lutheran University • Joseph Jerome, Gonzaga University • Alejandra Silva-Avendano, Whitworth University These four students were selected through a rigor- ous three-month competition among hundreds of applicants because of their distinctive leadership, aca- demic potential, and commitment to making a differ- ence in their community. The Act Six program provides tuition and support and leadership training during college to ensure the students' success. Nearly 85 percent of Act Six alumni have brought their degrees back to home to serve and lead in North- west communities, and more than a quarter are pursu- ing or have earned graduate degrees, according to a press release from the Tukwila School District. 6 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Tukwila's fifth -graders: Don't use drugs BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Fifth -graders in Tukwila's three elemen- tary schools were recognized recently for their posters and essays at the annual DARE graduation at Foster High School. The theme for the essays and posters was "No Excuse for Crime or Drug Use." About 220 students from Tukwila, Cas- cade View and Thorndyke elementary schools received their diplomas April 17. The grand -prize winner in the poster contest was Celso Martinez of Cascade View; his teacher is Kristy Johnson. The Tukwila Police Department will make copies of Celso's poster to help adver- tise the National Night Out against Crime in August. He'll also be recognized at the Aug. 3 City Council meeting. Plus, he won an $80 gift card from Tar- get, a $50 gift card from Fun Center and a $25 gift card for Westfield Southcenter Mall from The Police Guild. His class was treated to a pizza party on May 12. The prizes for each school's winner were a $40 gift card from Target, a $25 gift card from Fun Center and a $25 gift card for Westfield Southcenter Mall from The Po- lice Guild. The individual school winners were Catherine Hopp, Tukwila Elementary; Manvir Singh, Thorndyke Elementary, and The DARE poster contest had a winner from each of Tukwila's three elementary schools, plus a grand -prize winner. The winners, from left are: grand -prize winner, Celso Martinez, Cascade View, and school winners, Catherine Hopp, Tukwila; Manvir Singh, Thorndyke, and Kristian Swedlund, Cascade View. With the winners is DARE Sgt. Rory Mettlin. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter Kristian Swedlund, Cascade View Elemen- tary. Mayor Jim Haggerton spoke at the grad- uation, congratulating the students who participated and the Tukwila Police De- [ more DARE page 7 ] Essay contest winner, runnerup by school everyday I'm Yodelin' You'II come for a taste of Bavarian culture. You'II leave with so much more. From the outdoor adventures to the indoor festivities, it's the perfect place for an escape from the everyday. THORNDYKE. Jacqueline Aldrich, Leila THORNDYKE: Manvir Singh, Devika Ali. TEACHER: Tai Kaku Ghimirey.TEACHER: Christopher Reid jrJ•IE JUNE 6 Bavarian Bike & Brews Wine Walk JUNE 18-21 Leavenworth Intl. Accordion Celebration JULY 4 Kinderfest & Fourth of July Celebration ALL SUMMER Art in the Park Leavenworth Summer Theater Leavenworth Farmers Market CASCADE VIEW: Cha Mo, Barsha CASCADE VIEW: Sourour Sabry, Gabriel Sangraula. TEACHER: Kristy Johnson Arceo. TEACHER: Megan Brusnighan WASHINGTON �ity Yaw- amtrido, 0 WASH fNGTON TUKWILA • ;-.,4EEv, :TATE • _ www.LetTukwilaShine.com Paid for by Citizens Voting for Ekberg www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 7 Undercover operation leads to arrests at Foster BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM An undercover operation by the Tuk- wila Police Department has shown a "rela- tively low level of drug use at Foster High School," according to Supt. Nancy Coogan. "Foster does not have a thriving or even pervasive drug culture, according to of- ficers — the vast majority of students are not involved in drugs," Coogan wrote in a message to the Tukwila community. The Tukwila Police Department and the Tukwila School District May 8 also issued a joint news release. The police department and school district collaborated on the in- vestigation. The Police Department decided to em- bed an officer following two incidents last winter outside the Foster campus to under- stand the scope of any drug-related activity at the school and to ensure students and staff are safe. Essay contest winners, by school CASCADE VIEW: Judith Ruvalcaba and ThaLian Cung.TEACHER: Shannon Otey. TUKWILA: Sumaya Dirie and Cameron Aguilar. TEACHER: Liz Dillon TUKWILA: Rubi Aguilar and Delilah Ivanek. TEACHER: T.J. Williams [ DARE from page 6] partment for maintaining the DARE pro- gram. "I also want to congratulate the parents and grandparents who are here today be- cause it's you who give reinforcement to the students to stay active and make good decisions as they go through life, to get in- volved in the DARE program and take ad- vantage of all the benefits after you gradu- ate from the DARE program," he said. The winners of the essay contest read TUKWILA: Catherine Hopp and Samuel Aberdeen. TEACHER: Lisa Ring their winning essays to fellow fifth -graders and the rest of the audience, talking about how important it is to "just say no" to drugs and alcohol. The poster program and essay contest are organized by the Tukwila Police De- partment's Community Relations Depart- ment. The DARE officers are Officers Leslie Shuck and Marc Schutt and Sgt. Rory Met- tlin. Imperial Bingo Connection 3100 East Valley Road Renton 425-656-5257 (Wed Fri Sat Sun) FREE BINGO Every Saturday What you buy at tills for 11 AM session Play FREE for 2:30 session Buy -in - Machines - Singles - Stars - Doubles Small Crowds = Better Chance To Win FREE BINGO Those incidents involved a Foster stu- dent and a drug-related robbery and one involved a student who possessed narcotics and a gun on the way to morning classes at Foster. The ongoing investigation focused only on drug-related issues, Coogan said, dur- ing which several drug interactions oc- curred with the undercover officer. As a result of the undercover operation, two students were arrested for felony sale of Molly (an amphetamine -related narcotic also known as Ecstasy), powdered cocaine and marijuana. In addition, an adult not affiliated with Foster was to be charged with drug sales on school property, according to the news release. The two adults, including a student, were to be arraigned on Monday, May 18. The second student, a juvenile, has entered a plea of not guilty in juvenile court. He was released to the custody of his mother. The two adults were initially jailed and then released. According to the charging documents, the undercover officer made contact with the two students in their classrooms. Coogan said she's relieved "to hear that the amount of organized drug activity was limited to a handful of individuals who have been apprehended" Coogan passed along safety tips offered by the lead police investigator related to su- pervising children on social media and on marijuana tolerance. She wrote: • First and foremost, teens and tweens these days are becoming much more comfortable using social media to openly orchestrate drug interactions or other il- legal actions. While most use social -media positively to talk with friends and family, there are many opportunities for children to connect with inappropriate people and situations. (She offered a social media tip sheet to keep students safe.) • Secondly, police are glad to have found no evidence of a systematic trade in harder drugs like heroin. However, they did find a worryingly relaxed attitude about marijua- na among teenagers. This is an important time to remind students that marijuana is NOT legal for minors. Any student found with marijuana at school will face the same punishment as they would for possession of any other illegal drug. We are asking all parents and community members to ad- vocate a zero -policy marijuana mentality throughout Tukwila. Coogan referred to the "strong partner- ship" the school district has with the Tuk- wila Police Department. "I have found that both the district and Police Department strongly believe that the safety of our schools is a paramount duty," she wrote. Police recommend an open dialogue be- tween adults and children about drugs; one resource is the National Institute on Drug Abuse, online. Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425- 255-3484, ext. 5150. Vote De'Sean Quinn for Tukwila Mayor For over a decade De'Sean has been embedded in the Tukwila community. Building relationships and collaborating with his fellow community members in order to make Tukwila a wonderful place to raise a family. electdeseanquinn. com Paid for by Committee to Elect De'Sean Quinn for Tukwila Mayor 1322832 8 ( MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Site work began in early May on Tukwila Village at the intersection of South 144th Street and Tukwila International Boulevard. The property was cleared of trees and asphalt, in prepa- ration for underground work. City of Tukwila Work begins on Tukwila Village Construction began earlier this month on Tukwila Village on Tukwila Inter- national Boulevard, which will create a new neighborhood center with housing, shops and a new King County Library System library. Work began with removing asphalt and trees, as part of contractors' work to grade the site and install stormwater pipes and other infrastructure. The City of Tukwila, the Senior Hous- ing Assistance Group and the King County Library System marked the start of the new mixed-use development that will bring intergenerational housing, a community gathering place and new re- tail and office space to Tukwila Interna- tional Boulevard. KCLS is building a 10,000 -square -foot library on the Tukwila Village campus to replace its Foster Library. A vision for Tukwila Village and a re- newed Tukwila International Boulevard was envisioned as far back as 1998. Finding the Connection Since 1989 Then... • ...Now Duane ja and Elane 20113 41,1 WEATHEIZLV IN Memory Care Call Today for a Tour! 253-630-7496 • www.weatherlyinn.com/kent 15101 SE 272nd St., Kent, WA 98042 Close to Hwy 18 on Kent-Kangley N Spokes for Folks to help SHAG work BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM The third annual Spokes for Folks event in Tukwila May 30 raises money for the SHAG Community Life Foundation's pro- grams and celebrates its goal of health and wellness for all its senior residents. The walk, run or ride along bridges, two rivers and greenways has views of Mount Rainier, all beginning at the Tukwila Com- munity Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. The SHAG Community Life Foundation is a part of SHAG (Senior Housing Assis- tance Group), which since 1988 has pro- vided affordable housing to seniors across Washington state. SHAG is one of the key developers of Tukwila Village, which will feature apart- ments for seniors and others in need of af- fordable housing, as well as a new library and shops. Participants have three options: a 40 - mile round trip for bicyclists on the In- terurban Trail, an 8 -mile round trip for bicyclists, runners and walkers along the Duwamish Waterway, and a half -mile fun loop at the community center. There will be refreshments and bath- room breaks along the way. At the finish line, all participants will enjoy live music, entertainers, a beer garden and lunch. Cost is $30 to participate, which includes lunch. There is registration online and reg- istration also opens at 7:30 a.m. on May 30. Participants can set up a donor page online for their fundraising efforts. Register for Spokes for Folks at http://shag.org/ sof. Starting times are staggered: 8 a.m. for the 40 -mile ride, 8:45 a.m. for the 40 -mile rapid ride, 9 a.m. for the 8 -mile walk, 9:30 a.m. for the 8 -mile run, 10:30 a.m. for the 8 -mile ride and the fun loop opens at 11 a.m. A lunch and finish -line celebration is at noon at the community center. Prizes awarded for: • Strongest Fundraising Team • Strongest Fundraising Individual • Youngest Participant • Oldest Participant • Best Team Costume • Best Individual Costume Information is also available by calling SHAG's Community Life Foundation at 206-453-1076. Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425- 255-3484, ext. 5150. A sports stadium in Tukwila? BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM The City of Tukwila is reviewing a proposal to build a new sports arena in Tukwila capable of hosting NHL and NBA games. The proposed site is on the West Valley Highway, near its intersection with Interstate 405 and west of the Tukwila Sounder Station. RLB Holdings Sports and Enter- tainment in April filed a zoning code interpretation request with the city for a multi-purpose arena facility. According to the letter, the current zoning table for the area includes per- forming arts centers and convention and exhibition facilities but is quiet on the topic of an arena. "The use table does not specifically address a spectator sports use;" reads the letter. The letter states that it is anticipated that such an arena could host up to 250 events per year, with spectator sports - such as hockey and basketball - making up about one-third of those dates. The letter goes on to make its case This is a map showing the general placement of a new sports arena and parking that's on the right or east side of the project property. The arena would be along West Valley Highway. City of Tukwila documents that an arena would be compatible with the area's zoning, Transit -Ori- ented Development. The city's Director of Community Development, Jack Pace, is reviewing all applications and will provide a de- termination to RLB Holdings. "It has been our understanding that Tukwila has been one of multiple sites in the region investigated for this purpose," wrote Rachel Bianchi in an email. "As a retail and employment hub, with the largest shopping mall in the Pacific Northwest, the City of Tukwila has significant experience dealing with large-scale develop- ments. "While the city is supportive of building a multipurpose arena within Tukwila, there are many steps ahead for this project:' The city has set up a special page on its website, www tukwila.gov, that will have all pertinent documents related to the proposal. The City of Tukwila was ap- proached in January of 2014 by devel- opers looking for potential sites for a multipurpose arena. Another group, including develop- er David Sabey, is looking at the pos- sibility of a sports stadium in north Tukwila. Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext. 5150. www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 i 9 0 CASCADE WATER ALLIANCE -111111b. Nur- May 2015 Cascade Water Alliance provides safe, clean and reliable water to its members through partnerships ensuring water for today. But it is also creating a lasting legacy by continuing a lean, nimble governance model of regional collaboration, leadership and effective, efficient public resource management. And we are enhancing our future regional water source Lake Tapps in east Pierce County for eventual water use. This year Cascade repaired the 100 plus year old system so it will be ready for future use. We've fixed the barrier dam and replaced the headgates and 2,300 feet of timber flume with a new concrete flume. We've repaired the conveyance system that runs from the White River to the reservoir and back to the river and we are now refilling the reservoir. Why? Because although we don't need that water now planning for future infrastructure takes years to design and build. The result of these projects will be a more reliable and predictable system for decades into the future. When you turn on the tap, you will have water today... and tomorrow. Cascade replaced a crumbling flume with a new cement one to get water to Lake Tapps. water for today and tomorrow 10 ( MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 11 Wise water use today means we can delay future infrastructure development by using every drop of water available in the region before developing new sources. Rainwater catchment takes advantage of our plentiful rainfall and can be used for watering plants or for flushing toilets, saving thousands of gallons of valuable drinking water per year for better uses. Cascade and its members in 2014 did just that—they saved approximately 65 million gallons of water, 1.8 million kilowatt hours of energy and avoided one million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Cascade's program strives to lower regional water demand, particularly in summer, or peak season, so that Cascade can delay or defer development of the White River / Lake Tapps Project or other sources of new water supply. Cascade offered 30 Cascade Gardener classes that drew more than 725 attendees, provided 423 water education programs to 10,509 students at local schools, trained local schools, parks district staffs, builders, retailers and even horticulture students about wise water use. We educated our residents at local fairs and events, and provided free water saving items. A WaterSense certified toilet uses a little more than one gallon per flush, but gets the job done. Front loading clothes washers with the Energy Star label not only save huge amounts of water and energy, but they clean your clothes better with much less wear and tear on the fabrics. It's still important to run only full loads. Cascade and its members' goal is a cumulative savings of 0.6 million gallons per day on an annual basis and 1.0 mg per day on a peak season basis by 2020. We're well on our way to exceeding that goal Working together to fix toilet leaks, use water efficient appliances in kitchens and bathrooms and improving your irrigation systems really does make a difference. Here's how... The flapper valve inside the toilet tank eventually wears out and will allow leakage. It's important to check for leaks at least once each year. You can drop a leak detection tablet (available free from Cascade) into the toilet tank or use a few drops of food coloring. Wait ten minutes without flushing and if you see color in the bowl, the flapper is leaking and should be replaced. Landscapes designed with deep, healthy soil and hardy plants are beautiful and will need little to no water beyond rainfall and far less chemical inputs. An Energy Star certified dishwasher may only use a few gallons per cycle. It's still important to run only full loads. WaterSense certified faucets provide plenty of flow for washing hands or brushing your teeth, but save thousands of gallons per year compared to older faucets. A WaterSense showerhead has been tested and certified for performance as well as efficiency. WaterSense showerheads provide plenty of flow, but still keep your water use low. A WaterSense certi led home may save a million gallons of water and thousands of dollars in reduced utility bills over the lifetime of the home. Pictured in background: Issaquah's ZHome complex. 12 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Cascade is also part of the Central Puget Sound Water Supply Forum that is currently undertaking a regional resiliency project envisioned to help the water utilities of King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties take proactive steps in evaluating and enhancing this region's water supply system resiliency. The work will help determine how the region's utilities can be better prepared for the impacts of significant system stresses and how utilities can continue to provide services to our region's homes and businesses during and after such events. Cover photo by Janice Thomas. 0 2014 Cascade Operating and Debt Service Budget 2014 Cascade Capital Budget $ in millions ($54,481,212 total) $26.62 Water Supply & Operations $24.24 Debt Service U U 0 1)4 $.48 $2.19 Planning Administration $.95 Conservation ($14,160,000 total) $5.10 Seattle & Tacoma Long- term Water Agreements $8.91 White River/ Lake Tapps Improvements Our Members City of Bellevue City of Issaquah City of Kirkland City of Redmond City of Tukwila Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District Skyway Water & Sewer District • $.15 Bellevue - Issaquah Pipeline Improvements -fes CASCAD E WATER ALLIANCE 520 112th Street, Suite 400 Bellevue, WA 98004 cascadewater.org This DESIRE is headed for soccer big league Sophomore Katayema is soccer athlete of year BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Desire Katameya is 16 and focused on his dream. "I think, one day, I will be a professional soccer player, one day," he says. He has proved himself arguably a great high school soccer player. The Foster High School sophomore was picked the Seamount League Player of the Year for boys soccer by the league's coaches. He's the league's leading scorer this season — 23 goals and 10 assists — and one of the top high school scorers in the Seattle area. "I haven't seen at the high school level a complete player like Desire;' said his coach, Nasir Tura, who played soccer at Foster, gradu- ating in 2006. Tura went on to coach at Foster; in 2011 he was named the league's Coach of the Year for girls soc- cer. Ray Schriber now coaches the girls team Katameya is the sec- ond Bulldog to be named athlete of the year; the coaches also chose another Foster sophomore, Almir Sehovic, in 2008. Tura, Katameya and a core of seniors and talented underclassmen won their first game of the 2A district tournament May 14 2-1 against Port Angeles High School. The Bulldogs played their second game of the postseason on Saturday, after the Tukwila Reporter's print deadline. "I think we have big shot to make it the state;' said Tura. The team finished fifth in the league with a 7-6-1 record. Tura sees a lot of himself in his young player. Both learned to play soccer on the streets of Africa, Tura in Kenya and Katameya in Congo, where he was born, and Burundi, where his family moved. They talk together about their common story and love of soccer. "I have to inspire him. I have to tell him, Desire Katameya www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 i 13 Taking a short and rare break, Desire Katameya does a balancing act with the soccer ball on his head at the Foster stadium. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter. `Desire, 12 or 13 years ago, I was you. I had no shoes. I didn't speak any English;' Tura said. Besides English, they share a language in common — Swahili. French is the official language of Congo. Katameya immigrated to Tukwila in 2013 with his parents, Michael and Chris- tina, and his younger brother, John, 8, and sister, Samuela, 4. Katameya's early schooling in soccer came from his father and an uncle. There was a time when he didn't like soccer, but his uncle told him "Come on, you're going to be good at soccer, Desire. I trusted him; Katameya said. He thought for a moment when asked whether he's a good soccer player. Tura describes him as humble and focused on soccer. "Hmm. I am pretty good at soccer, now. Because ... Yah, I think, yah; especially for his age, he says. He then took his answer in a different direction. "If you are good at soccer, you are going to play professionally," he said, like Seattle Sounder star Clint Dempsey, one of his fa- vorite players. Another favorite is France's Zinedine Zidane, one of the best soccer players ever and now a professional coach. "No one can play like him; says Katameya of Zidane. While his dream is to play professional soccer, right now Katameya says will focus on high school, and soccer, to do his best. "I always try to do my best; he said. "I don't give up." He feels the pressure on the field from opposing teams. Kennedy Catholic players are tall, he's short, about 5 -foot -5. But he says he's a smart player — and "I am pretty fast." Hazen twice beat Foster this season, in part by shutting down Katameya. "We don't man mark individual play- ers, but we knew No. 11 (Katameya, the league's top scorer) was going to be a chal- lenge;' Hazen Coach Ken Matthews wrote in his report on the Highlanders' 2-0 vic- tory on April 21. Katameya arrived at Foster with "bril- liant" technique, Tura said, which is typical of athletes who played street soccer, many of whom became international stars. "The street is the best teacher;" Tura said, where soccer is played every day, before and after school and on the weekends. Much of what the players learn is self- taught, but they'll also imitate on the streets what they saw the "great athletes;' such as Renaldo, do on TV, Tura said. A coach teaches the players, especially street players, the tactical part of soccer, Tura said, such as the role of every posi- tion on the field. That's what he does with Katameya. "So when he plays all those positions, then OK, this is how it works;' Tura said. Katameya would face some decisions in the next three years, including whether to play on the under -17 U.S. team, Tura said. "I think Desire has what it takes to be on the national team;' Tura said. Desire Katameya puts some power in his kick during practice at Foster. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter 14 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com City of Tukwila • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Online: TukwilaWA.gov The city of opportunity Your City Council invites you to join them for a TOWN HALL MEETING Thursday, June 4 — 6:00PM Church by the Side of the Road 3455 South 148th Street in Tukwila All community members are invited to attend (and bring a friend)! Come share your questions, suggestions, concerns and experiences. This is an opportunity to talk to your City Council and say any- thing that is on your mind about Tukwila. Tukwila Community Kitchen Friday, June 26 — 5:30 to 8:30PM in the Tukwila Community Center Social Hall Join Project Feast and Tuk- wila Parks and Recreation for an evening of interactive cooking! Bring your favorite apron and an appetite; you'll learn from Project Feast apprentices, and enjoy a beverage and light snack while cooking. Learn about the culture of each dish, meet new community members, sam- ple a variety of authentic cultural cuisines, and take home copies of your newly discovered recipes. Registration is FREE but limited to 50. Please call 206-768-2822 to reserve your seat today! CIO -UN CMM ORN Trip to DC pays off for City of Tukwila by Kate Kruller, 2015 Council President Recently, a Tukwila Delegation primarily consist- ing of three Tukwila City Council members visited our congressional representatives and key federal agencies in Washington DC. The purpose was to continue building on critical legislative relationships and re-engage with federal programs that make a real difference for the City of Tukwila. Our delegation provided update reports and advo- cated for three strategic projects for Tukwila: • Sound Transit Boeing Access Road Light Rail Station: Complete construction originally in the plans when the light rail was approved by voters. Tukwila has a strong coalition of employers, busi- nesses and residents who back this substantial development and revitalization opportunity. • Strander Boulevard Multi -Modal Connector: Pro- vide east -west, cross -valley connections between Renton and Tukwila, along with improved con- nectivity between the Tukwila Urban Center, the Sound Transit Commuter Rail Station, and large employers in the immediate area. • BNSF intermodal rail yard access in Allentown: A jointly -funded study is underway in collabora- tion with BNSF Rail to identify a new truck route. Tukwila will need help with resulting anticipated construction costs. Also, a community assess- ment on rail yard impacts will be made. Tukwila is well represented by Senator Patty Mur- ray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Adam Smith. The Tukwila Delegation visited the of- fices of all three to thank them for previous support on projects and make Tukwila's case for the future. Voting activity was underway in the Senate, so some meetings were conducted near the chamber floor. All meetings were staffed with Legislative Di- rectors and Legislative Assistants that specialize in transportation, housing, labor and budget analysis. There was great interest in the new information we had to relay, and talk ensued about what each could do for Tukwila going forward. The visits to federal agencies proved to be very productive as well. The US Department of Justice (USDOJ) oversees the Community -Oriented Polic- ing Services (COPS) Office, where Tukwila received grants to assist with increasing police staff levels in recent years. A renewed connection this year looks promising for federal funding toward training and working on ways to build community relations. At the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Senior Policy Analyst who reviews Transportation Invest- ment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant applications gave us positive news. Our Strander Connector application got a "highly rec- ommended" rating that missed by the smallest of margins last round. Tukwila got good feedback and encouragement to try again due to the project's strong potential. Overall, Tukwila demonstrated its commitment to these projects very well and made good connec- tions on the federal level to garner more support ahead as we progress. City continues to study fire service options Since its creation, the Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Com- mittee has been meeting regularly. First on their list of things to consider was WHY a change from a local to a regional fire service is being consid- ered. Members of the former 2014 Fire Exploratory Committee briefed the current committee on the long-term goal of being able to financially maintain the current level of fire service, outlining the constraints and costs at the local level. In addition, they discussed potential operating efficiencies and revenues made available if emergency services are pro- vided at a regional level. The Steering Committee is gaining a comprehensive education about how the Fire Department operates, where they work and how they train. This effort includes tours of fire facilities in both Tukwila and Kent. To en- sure the best outcome, this group must have a fundamental understand- ing as to how fire service performance is measured. The Committee has agreed that any potential change must result in the same or better levels of service. Measuring fire service goes beyond how fast a firefighter responds to a call for help -- behind that is the ability to respond with the right equipment and manpower, or the ability to respond at all (that is, they aren't on another call to someone else). When you think of a fire department you probably picture firefighters rushing to a house fire or arriving to render medical aid to someone hav- ing a heart attack. Like other jurisdictions, Tukwila relies on its firefight- ers to do many other things as well. The Steering Committee is learning about the roles the Tukwila Fire Department plays in fire permits, build- ing permit review, planning for natural and man-made emergencies, educating community members on safe practices and preparedness, and investigating the cause of fires. Stay tuned as the Committee continues its investigation into the pros and cons of potentially changing fire service to a regional provider, and whether it will recommend putting this annexation issue before the vot- ers in 2016. You can follow the progress of the committee on our web- site at TukwilaWA.gov/FireCommittee. REMINDER: Comprehensive Plan Upcoming Events OPEN HOUSE (Come talk with City staff about Comprehensive Plan) Wednesday, May 20 4:30-6:30PM 3460 S. 148th Street PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING (Topic: Tukwila International Boulevard) Thursday, May 28 — 6:30PM Tukwila City Hall PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING (Topics: Housing and Residential Neighborhoods) Thursday, June 25 — 6:30PM Tukwila City Hall Save the dates! Take part in the 22nd annual Tukwila Community Garage Sale, coming on Saturday & Sunday August 22-23. Hold your sale at the same time as neighbors throughout Tukwila, and get free advertising online and in community newspapers. You also get a yard sale infor- mation kit, with a small sign and helpful tips. Sign-ups will be open June 15 through July 15. For more infor- mation, please call 206-431-3683. MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT. Kate Kruller www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 15 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Joe Duffle • Dennis Robertson • Allan Ekberg Verna Seal • Kathy Hougardy • De'Sean Quinn Congratulations to Tukwila Parks and Recreation Staffer Nate Robinson for winning the 2015 Washington Recreation & Parks Association Young Professional Award! City of Tukwila Annual Curbside Collection Event Friday, June 12 Pick-up starts at 7:OOAM Part of Tukwila C , n, 6_ *ieze,ei 2015 For Tukwila residents who subscribe to garbage collection service, Waste Management will provide curbside collection of small items including BBQ grills, toilets and push -style mowers. They will also accept appli- ances, furniture and other large items if the customer schedules a pick- up appointment by June 11. Look on our website for a comprehensive listing of accepted and non -accepted items, plus detailed instructions for participating: TukwilaWA.gov/JuneCleanupEvent.pdf. coma eke, Come discuss what's on your mind from 10:OOAm to 12:OOPm at FOSTER GOLF CLUBHOUSE 13500 Interurban Ave S Rol Chat: June, 13 Tukwila Village site is now under construction The developer's contractor brought equipment onsite and began the removal of asphalt and trees as part of the site preparation work before grading and installation of stormwater pipes and other infrastructure. A glimpse of some spontaneous fun in our community When Tukwila Police were recently called to check out noise in an apart- ment stairwell, what they found was a large group of kids ages 8-13, who were avoiding the windy weather as they had fun throwing their paper air- plane creations. Striking up a conversation, the officers challenged the kids to a future contest and — three days later — returned to find all of the kids ready to go. The parking lot competition drew eager contestants, along with interested parents and spectators who enjoyed the activity. A losing Police aircraft design The contest results were best described in an email from a participating Tukwila Police Officer who announced that the kids "legitimately beat us — badly. Our airplanes sucked, and they had three kids in particular who made things that were truly amazing — like to the point that they flew onto the roof of the complex." Congratuations to the winning team! (Future Boeing engineers, perhaps?) The power of partnerships This year, the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department partnered with United Way by offering free space at the Community Center for the or- ganization's Free Tax Campaign. United Way volunteers assisted low- to moderate -income individuals with free tax services, including help with filling out tax forms and ensuring that customers knew the resources available to them. At the Tukwila site alone, 259 people took advantage of the tax prepa- ration assistance, resulting in refunds in excess of $356,000. In addi- tion, another $128,000 in Earned Income Tax Credits were identified for Tukwila customers. Through this free service, customers were able to maximize their tax filings and receive professional assistance. The City of Tukwila is committed to identifying partnerships such as the one earlier this year with the United Way that materially benefits our community. The City is proud of its role in facilitating this important service and will continue to explore similar opportunities in the future. In Memory of Captain McCoy Captain Mike McCoy of the Tukwila Fire Department passed away on Wednesday, April 22, while teaching for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) in Anniston, Alabama. Captain McCoy started his career as a volunteer with King County Fire Districts 1 and 18 at 16 years old. He joined KCFD 26 in 1982 as a resi- dent volunteer. In 1986 he was hired as a paid firefighter for KCFD 1. He joined the Tukwila Fire Department in 1987 when KCFD 1 was annexed into the City of Tukwila. Captain McCoy also found time to work for Puget Sound Ambulance as an emergency medical technician from 1988 until 1990, for Ameri- can MedTech from 1990 until 1994, and for American Medical Response as a dispatcher from 1994 until the present. His accomplishments were not limited to emergency responses. Captain Mc- Coy was the lead advisor for the Tuk- wila Fire Explorer Post of the Zone 3 Fire Explorers, a Boys Scouts of Ameri- ca branch for young people interested in a career in public safety. With a career filled with helping those in his own community, Captain McCoy also assisted people around the world. While with NDMS, he was a Team Commander of the International Medical Surgical Response Team — West and a member of the Incident Response Coordination Tea m — West. As a member of the Seattle—King County Disaster Team, Washington One Disaster Medical Assistance Team, and Washington Task Force One, Captain McCoy responded to many national and international disasters including the Oklahoma City bombing and Super Storm Sandy. During the Haiti earthquake, the Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Irene, and Charlie hurri- canes, Captain McCoy served as the Type One Operations Section Chief. At the Katrina hurricane, he was responsible for the largest patient evac- uation in U.S. history. Captain McCoy is survived by wife Mary, sons Corbin and James, grand- son Hunter, brothers Pat and KC, his father Earl, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more... get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov! 16 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com coverstory A final BOW I n 34 years at Foster, Cynthia Chesak has won prestigious awards, brought the theater experience to students of all ages BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Cynthia Chesak, known for her atten- tion to detail, for her love of chil- dren's theater and for happily work- ing with teens, will direct her last Foster High graduation - the school's 100th - in June. It's a time for endings - and Chesak would say for new beginnings - as she pre- pares to retire this June after teaching at Foster for 34 years, long enough to teach the children of former students. Chesak, who lives just minutes from school, has taught Foster's drama classes, first in a part-time position, for all those years. Twenty-five years ago, she went full- time, teaching advanced English students. She took over directing graduation when long-time Foster counselor Larry Green retired in 2000. In 1997, she received one of the nation's highest education honors, The Milken Educator Award, and continues to reinvest the financial prize - $25,000 - into Foster and its students. She admits she's stricken with senioritis, just like the seniors who are finishing their years at Foster and feeling a certain detach- ment. She actually cut out of a staff meet- ing - and graded papers instead. But she still has work to do - teaching another month, directing her final Foster production, "The Long View," and sending off an historic class of seniors. Is she dreading her final graduation on June 12? She thought for a moment: "I dread and look forward to it every year," she said of graduation. Like any direc- tor, she tends to details, walks the seniors through rehearsals and offers them some sage graduation advice: take your caps and gowns out "so they don't look like an accor- dion on the night of graduation:' But she's bolstered by something the- ater people like to do - celebrate end- ings of a show because a new one will inevitably begin. "So you always celebrate your endings because it's going to be another beginning," she said, which is also what graduation is Cynthia Chesak, retiring in June after a 34 -year career at Foster High School, has given hundreds of Foster students a 'theater experience'as the school's drama teacher; her classroom is Foster's Performing Arts Center. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter all about. Chesak's own beginnings were in a small town outside Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born. Her father worked for the gov- ernment - he helped companies switch over to a wartime footing, then back again after a war ended. In between he took consulting jobs. She grew up "all over the place;' includ- ing Mexico City, where she graduated from The American School. Her father was help- ing Mexico set up its steel industry. She convinced her family to let her return to Mexico after they had moved back to the U.S. so she could graduate with her class. 5 he looked at colleges in the U.S., in- cluding a rural Whitman College. But being a "city girl;' she opted to stay in Mexico, where she double majored in English and drama at the University of the Americas, then outside Mexico City She graduated in 1969. Later she earned her master's degree in drama at the University of Texas in El Paso, where she also met her future hus- band. Tired of the desert, they moved to the Northwest and Tukwila, where she's lived for 37 years and where, for much of that time, raised her children as a single Foster graduation Commencement at Foster High School for the Centennial graduating Class of 2015 is 7 p.m., Friday, June 12. mother. She connected to Tukwila's schools through her children, Kristen, David and Justin, and became active in the Tukwila community. She chaired levy and bond campaigns and was president of the Cas- cade View Parent/Staff Organization. Later, she would chair the committee that worked to pass the bond measure to build the new Foster High School. Foster's then Principal, Dick Fain, want- ed to start an after-school drama program. He knew Chesak had a master's degree in drama; for the next eight years, she taught drama part-time. Her first play, in the 1981-82 school year was "Pig or the Witch;' a "cute little show;' she said, that got the students' "feet wet" in theater. And she told her students that they weren't in a club. "I am giving them theater education;' she said. When she and her husband divorced, "I realized I was going to have to get a job to support us." She went back to school, earn- ing her teaching certificate at the Univer- sity of Washington in 1985. "I really like working with teenagers;' she said. "And I really like the work I am doing with theater." She taught one year at Lindbergh High School, until the teacher she replaced returned. Cheryl Hansen, now Fos- ter's principal, offered her a half-time job running a drop-out prevention program. She was still teaching drama, too. The next year, in 1989, Chesak started full-time at Foster as a drama and English teacher. Her vision was to expand drama to a four-year curriculum, to give students a complete theater experience from acting to playwriting to stage management. Principal Horst Momber, the first princi- pal at the "new" Foster, agreed. Because of scheduling conflicts before and after school, drama was offered in the evening, which continues today. Twenty students are in the performance class and 12 are in the technical class - the stage crew that sets up events and performances at [ more CH ESAK page l7 ] Foster drama students, from left, Cody Rith, Alejandra, Mariana Maestas, Andrew Hougardy, Sabrina Fontejon, Cindy Marquina- Negrete, (behind Cindy is Tahnie Johnson), and Chris Saravia, rehearse 'The Long View: Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter [CHESAKfrom page 16] Foster's Performing Arts Center. The focus of her master's degree was children's theater. For nearly a quarter century, she has made it possible for Tukwila's elementary students to see live theater through her program. "If the kids don't see live theater through the schools, they may never see it in their life;' she said, especially in the Tukwila community. Over the four years, students write an original play for the children's theater and perform scripted plays, including one that delves into social issues. They perform three plays each year. 5 enior Mariana Maestas has been in Chesak's drama program for four years, calling Chesak "in- spirational." "She is like the coolest teacher here. She's straightforward with you, whether it's on stage and you need to fix the way you are acting, change the tone. She'll tell you, 'OK This is what you need to do to improve:" Chesak's final play is "The Long View," performed May 20 and 21 at the Foster Performing Arts Center. It's about bullying and violence and offers more questions than answers to that social issue, she said, but that is the first step toward resolving a problem. Chesak and her students have used Foster and its students as source ma- terial for their original plays. For "Po- ets" her drama students worked with Foster's English Language Learner students, who wrote poetry about their teenage experience at an Ameri- can school. �,{ CASCADE MEMORIAL low cost cremation & funerals $495 Simple Cremation $895 Direct Burial Bellevue 425.641.6100 Federal Way 253.874.9000 Online arrangements available CascadeMemorial.com "That was just when we started get- ting wave after wave of immigration is this area; says Chesak. "Poets" was mentioned in the Milken Award. The ELL students were recorded reading their poems, as images of them taken by a Foster student ap- peared on a screen on stage. "Poets" was taken on the road. Foster's drama students worked with counterparts in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1992 to write and stage "Pen Pals; in which two girls exchanged let- ters. When scripts didn't arrive from England, Chesak and her students discovered that the English approach playwriting by acting first, then put everything down on paper. Foster's students were writing the scenes first, then acting them out. They were sending videotapes of their rehearsals to England. The English students flew to Foster, where they rehearsed their scenes on Foster's stage, also a new and unnerv- ing situation because they typically rehearsed in a classroom. Eventually, teens being teens, they started talking, relaxed and performed "Pen Pals" at a stage festival. The obelisk awarded for the win- ners of the Milken Educator Award sits on Chasek's desk in her den. Two years earlier, she received another prestigious honor, the state Christa McAuliffe Teacher of the Year award, presented in memory of the teacher and astronaut killed in the shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. The Milken Award was present- ed to Chesak by state school Supt. Terry Bergeson in front of the entire Foster student body and staff, who presumably was there to talk about state education reform. Shortly into her speech, Bergeson started talking about a teacher at Foster who over- came a learning disability. That caught Chesak's attention, and soon her name was called, a winner of the 1997 Milken Award. Her son Jus- tin was in the audience. He thought she should buy him a car with the $25,000 prize, but that wasn't going to happen, she said. "I was struggling with three kids trying to make ends meet on a teacher's salary;' she said. But she was raised to give back part of "found money;' so since then she's purchased something for Foster for which there was no money, including books for a fresh- men class. And she makes sure that those seniors who can't afford a cap and gown for graduation receive one. Foster junior Mark Schenck comes from a long line of Schencks who have been taught by Chesak. He's been her student since elementary school. "She is awesome;' he said. "She knows how to work with students. She really works with us so it's easy for us to adapt to the play we are doing:' Chesak won't miss the weekends grading papers. But she will miss her childrens theater and her Foster stu- dents. She has books to read and her own plays to finish and grandkids to play with. "I am not going to miss getting up at 5 a.m. to get here by 6:30, so I can have some time to get myself ready before the kids come in;' she said. www Don't forget u ORO to READ '1,01BLOGS our RENTON www. REPORTER KENT REPONRT ER from local FAVORITES! Arte' TuKWILA REPORTER VALLEY REPORTER SOUND PUBLISHING INC. 1207716 www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 17 Teen drama about violence BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Drama teacher Cynthia Chesak thought about present- ing her favorite plays for her final year at Foster. But, she wanted to finish the four-year curriculum with this year's seniors. That meant presenting a play about a social issue. She chose "The Long Way," which looks at the themes of violence and bullying faced and perpetrated by teens. The staging begins with this question on a screen: "What will a generation of children who are raised in a word full of violence create?" To prepare her students, she talked to them about their experience with violence and asked them to think about how their characters are affected by violence. "This one in particular, more so than other ones, doesn't give an answer. It raises the questions" she said. "And, of course, the first step in finding an answer is to be aware of the fact of how much violence is in their world and how it is affecting them. It definitely is a part of their world:' Performances are Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Foster Performing Arts Center. Tickets at the door are $4 with ASB and $5 without and for adults. The playwright is Alan Haehnel. erteketi q ; a I rectory FOSTER-TUKWILA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 14401 56th Ave S RETIREES00PM Friday, May 29, 2015 0 Sunday Schedule:' CE 9:00 am; worship 10:30 am 206-243-4455 • www.ftpc.org TO ADVERTISE YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP Please call Lisa 425-255-3484 Ext. 3052 SUMMER PROGRAMS! EarlyChildhood - ages 4-6 Elementary - ages 7-12 IQar1y sw(wt lessons in our pool! Project -based learning! ardens, animals, & more! CaII now or register online! CAL- Rico r CedarRiverMontessori.org MONTESSORI (425) 271-9614 D 3 miles east of 1-405 off Maple Valley Hwy Affordable Wills Simple Will $300.00 Trust Will for minor children $350.00 Community Prop. Agreement $200.00 Durable Power of Attorney $150.00 Directive to Physician $75.00 Mention this ad for package discount. MOGREN, GLESSNER, ROTI & AHRENS P.S. Attorneys at Law 15 So. Grady Way, 100 Evergreen Building, Renton, WA 98057 (425) 255-4542 • www.mgrlaw.com 18 MAY 2015 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Tukwila School District #406 Foster High and Tukwila Elementary earn top award in state for math growth To be the best, there's no magic bullet. It takes hard work, dedicated people, and an unwavering focus. Just ask the educators at Foster High and Tukwila Elementary, who have been honored with the state's top education accolade—the Washington Achievement Award— for student growth in math. "Our achievement is because of a broad effort, not one isolated thing we can point to," said Adam Shumays, math teacher and department head at Foster. "This is probably the hardest working team I have ever worked with. We never stop thinking about the students, and we make sure they are getting the support they need." The Achievement Award recipients are the highest performing schools in the state based on three years of academic information reported in the Washington Achievement Index. Winning in the category of Math Growth means that Foster and Tukwila Elementary are in the top 5 percent in the state for student growth in math. Additionally, the averaged data from the past three years shows that Foster's growth has actually been in the top 1 percent. "I am extremely proud because these awards are a reflection of what I see in our schools every day," said Tukwila School District Superintendent Nancy Coogan. "Our educators continually look for ways to best serve all students. Our diverse student population comes to us with such a wide range of experiences and knowledge that growth—how we help State Superintendent Randy Dorn (left) presented the award during a state celebration in April to Tukwila Superintendent Nancy Coogan, Foster Math Department Head Adam Shumays, and Foster Principal Pat Larson (from left). Cheers! Staff at Tukwila Elementary like para -educator Pam Bila (left) celebrated their award with a mobile coffee cart in the staff room, which surprised everyone with free caffeine to kick start their morning. students progress from their own unique starting points—is one of the most meaningful measures we have." At Tukwila Elementary, Principal Steve Salisbury said they make math a priority with at least an hour's worth of high -impact daily instruction supported by targeted intervention strategies. They have also strengthened the connection with families, sending home math packets and teaching parents how to emphasize and help with math homework. "The Tukwila Elementary staff is truly amazing," Salisbury said. "They are so kid oriented and focused on student need. They differentiate in their instruction, they really understand their students. They are all about that." Foster Principal Pat Larson said her math department takes the initiative to continually refine the math placement process and structures. "This is a group that is truly focused on students," she added. "They are going to do whatever it takes to make sure students are successful." According to Shumays, the right balance is having each student "challenged, but not too challenged." To find the just - right fit, the placement process involves good communication with the middle school and accurate assessments. Foster has also developed an algebra block class that allows teachers to go much deeper into content over the span of two consecutive periods. "We use that time to teach the class in a different way," Shumays said. "It's not just lecture -based, we do more hands on with manipulatives, we do a lot of group work with students explaining things to each other." He added that his Foster Math Department colleagues hope that this award will not only be an acknowledgement of their collective expertise in meeting students' needs but also—and more importantly—a springboard to allow them to provide even more focused support to students moving forward. Both Foster and Tukwila Elementary added another factor working in their favor: Motivated students. They have students and families who, for the most part, place a high importance on learning and believe that education is a top priority. Along with other Washington Achievement Award winners, Foster and Tukwila Elementary were honored during a ceremony on April 28 at Spanaway Lake High The Washington Achievement Index is a joint project between the State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It is designed to offer a snapshot of a school's performance based on statewide assessments and to meaningfully differentiate between schools. The overall goal is to provide a fair and consistent measure of Washington's schools and to present a clearer picture of how schools and districts are performing. www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2015 i 19 Tukwila School District #406 MAY 2015 Tukwila School District Bond Committee What will our future schools look like? A community committee is currently exploring that question as it works to form a recommended bond measure. The committee is looking at each school and facility for critical repairs, student space need, and educational program need. If you would like to be part of the process, please come observe a meeting, catch up with all the materials online, and/or email your thoughts or suggestions to Gonzales-millsapm@tukwila.wednet.edu. All of the information is under TSD Community Bond Committee on the district homepage, www.tukwila.wednet.edu. Once the committee completes its recommendation, the school board will ultimately decide on the final bond ballot measure, which will go before voters in February 2016. Nominate a great Foster High grad for the Hall of Fame Nominations are open now through June 1 for the 2015-16 Foster High School Hall of Fame inductee. The two criteria are: Nominees need to have graduated from Foster at least 15 years ago, and they need to have made an outstanding contribution to their career field and/or community. Nominations can be e-mailed to Foster High's National Honor Society (NHS) adviser Cynthia Chesak at chesakc@tukwila.wednet.edu. Include your name and contact information, the nominee's name and graduate year, and a brief description of the nominee's outstanding contributions to his/her career and/or community. Summer school: Qualified students save the date Your child may qualify for one of our exciting summer programs this year! Students who continue learning during the summer are better prepared for the next school year and are less likely to lose the knowledge gained during the school year. How will you know if your child qualifies? Student eligibility will be determined by classroom assessments, benchmark assessments, standardized state test scores, and/or high-school credit standing. Identified households will receive registration materials in the mail soon, and parents will also receive phone follow-up calls to make sure they received the information. Though individual program dates and times will vary, please plan on blocking out June 29 through July 31, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tukwila School District summer school will focus on intervention support, challenging enrichment, and credit retrieval to help students succeed! Students will also receive FREE breakfast, lunch, and possibly transportation. The experience will help students who may be behind academically get a learning boost in a fun and energized summer -learning environment. Let's work together! If you receive a save -the -date notification, please help motivate your child to enroll by talking up summer learning at home as much as you can, including the opportunity to make new friends. In addition, offer incentives for joining and attending consistently. This does not mean you must spend money; it could be a day with you, family, and/or friends. Together we can help your student achieve academic success. No weeds for these Daisies! Many, many thanks to the local Daisy Troop that spent the evening of April 16 beautifying Tukwila Elementary by weeding, cleaning, and planting flowers. Foster High's 2015 Career Day on April 23 was a major success! More than 50 guest speakers presented 129 different sessions on career -related topics, which all students attended during the school day. Afterward, almost 60 businesses, organizations, and colleges/universities provided information about post -graduate opportunities during a career fair in the gym. One of the most popular booths, run by the Tukwila Police Department, allowed students to try on officers' gear. Pete Carroll, Macklemore, Laila Ali ... and Foster High's Mohamed Abdi! This was just part of the all-star lineup at We Day Seattle on April 23 at the Key Arena. Mohamed joined two other teens from across the state to make a joint "dear future self' speech. They were chosen because of their commitment to service and passion for helping others. Backstage, Mohamed got to meet other speakers, such as Mama Helen from Kenya (pictured) who is empowering women artisans in her community to support their families. Leadership students from Showalter Middle School and Foster High were also in attendance. We Day is an international movement to inspire and support youth to make positive changes in their communities. In April, Cascade View Elementary students in Ms. Poston's and Ms. Sachter's classes live -chatted over the computer with Amalia Fernand, an environmental educator who runs Nature Explorers International. She is currently in Borneo working at a rescue center with more than 300 orphaned orangutans and other animals. The students learned about the animals of Borneo and some of the reasons they are threatened with a focus on the concepts of "endemic," "sustainable," "endangered," and "habitat." 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