Every student has a place to succeed: MSD summit on education plans to prepare students for the local economy

Summit Participants hang their group’s discussion notes on the wall. From student needs, school improvement, and dreams of what the Marysville School District and its students should look like, the ideas were all shared, and often echoed. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News
Summit Participants hang their group’s discussion notes on the wall. From student needs, school improvement, and dreams of what the Marysville School District and its students should look like, the ideas were all shared, and often echoed. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News

By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News

The Marysville School District hosted an education summit on Saturday, March 29, at Getchell High School to secure success for Marysville schools and students. The summit is the culmination of months of planning and information gathering, bringing together educators, community members, students, families, and business leaders to map out possible futures for the Marysville School District. Speakers at the summit highlighted opportunities in the local economy as a key driver of education and success. Those opportunities should be had by all Marysville students, and the Marysville School District is working towards that reality.

“Snohomish County is first in the state in manufacturing. We are second in the technology field. There are many successful economies in the state, but what makes us different is, in Snohomish County, we build things,” said Troy McClelland, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC).

McClelland is a strong proponent of the STEM program in education. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, is a curriculum focused on developing critical skills that students need to succeed in modern economies.

“There is a place for every student to succeed, if they find their passion, and if we continue to provide the competitive economy,” he added.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said, “We need competitive students for a competitive economy. I want Marysville kids to have those jobs, I don’t want to import and outsource. I want our kids to have those high paying jobs.”

Mayor Nehring noted the importance of education, with reform taking center stage in the local political discussion.

“We cannot afford to opt out of supporting education. It is an investment well worth the principle,” he said.

Throughout the day, groups consisting of educators, families, and business leaders discussed what they dream for the Marysville School District. Ideas ranged from helping students become passionate about education and developing a drive to pursue education beyond graduation, to changing the way education is structured. There was large discussion on the current education system, and the need to change the system for the modern age. Determining what that might look like includes an understanding of the local communities and economies.

“It takes all of us together, working for our students’ future,” said Mel Sheldon Jr., Chairman of the Tulalip Tribes.

As leaders in education, business, and industry come together with leaders in the community, the district hopes to bring balance between the learning needs of students and the skills they will need to succeed as they choose careers, which is a manifestation of the district’s mission of 100% graduation, on time, and college or career ready.

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188

Marysville schools ‘Dream Big For Kids’ March 29

MARYSVILLE — The Marysville School District will be presenting its summit on education, “Dream Big for Kids! Imagine Where We Can Go Together,” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, in the commons and gymnasium of the Marysville Getchell High School campus.

In February of 2013, the Marysville School District Board of Directors began an initiative to increase community involvement, by including parents, students, business and civic leaders, and other community members in conversations to improve the educational opportunities for Marysville students.

The Marysville School Board began the process with a series of community forums, to help identify the successes of the Marysville School District and the areas where it needed to improve. The school district then utilized this information to focus on what it needed from a new superintendent, to help lead the district to its next levels of success.

This led to the hiring of Dr. Becky Berg as superintendent, who has since done significant community outreach work, including meetings with parents, staff and community members, as well as a series of “Coffee and Conversations” with families in the community. While the district has learned much from this process, more insights are needed, which is where “Dream Big for Kids” comes in.

Hundreds of Marysville and Tulalip community members are expected to join business leaders, parents, students and school district staff at this educational summit, to help envision the future of the Marysville School District and its children.

This is a no-cost event, but space is limited, so it’s recommended that you reserve your seat at a table ASAP.

To register, or for more information, call the Marysville School District at 360-653-7058, or visit its website at www.msvl.k12.wa.us.

Dream Big for Kids, March 29

Dream Big for Kids

Please save Saturday, March 29, 2014 for a very important event!
 
Join hundreds of Marysville community members, business leaders, parents, students and school district staff in an educational summit to help design the future for our district and our kids.  We need your ideas, your energy, and your voice.  
 
Please invest one Saturday in March to Dream Big for Kids!  For more details, call 360-653-0800 or email superintendents_office@msvl.k12.wa.us.
Dream Big for Kids