A Marysville Mountain View High School student was expelled today for bringing a fake hand gun to school.
As a result of this incident, the student was taken into custody by the police.
Three schools; MMVHS, M-P campus, and the district Service Center were placed in lock down as a safety precaution. The principal placed Marysville Middle School into lock down as an added precaution.
The police department, school district security and staff responded quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of all students.
Dr. Larry Nyland has shepherded the Marysville School District as its superintendent since 2004, but he has announced his plans to retire at the end of the current school year.
Nyland, 64, has been invested in public education for the past 42 years, with a career that has taken him from Oak Harbor to Alaska, then back to Washington with positions in Pasco, Shoreline and the Highline School District before coming to Marysville.
He inherited a tough climate in Marysville: a 49-day teachers’ strike in 2003 had resulted in declining enrollment, and citizens hadn’t passed a school bond issue in 16 years. Nyland focused on engaging the community in the district’s education goals, working cooperatively with the teachers’ union, and solidifying partnerships with the Tulalip Tribes as well as local community service organizations.
Graduation rates have risen by 20 percent over his tenure, and schools within the district have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for their achievements.
This year, the district’s Board of Directors was named School Board of the Year, a reflection of Nyland’s consistent messaging and encouragement.
“I love thinking and dreaming about what we can become, about the needs we can fill, the lives we will change, the future we are building for our community,” Nyland remarked in written comments to district staff.
“The district is once again at a turning point,” he continued. “New challenges lie ahead: new national standards and exams; new elections for levies, bonds and technology; and new leadership in many district roles. Now is the time to launch new dreams and follow them through to fruition.”
School board president Chris Nation praised Dr. Nyland “for his leadership, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the children of the Marysville and Tulalip communities, providing excellent professional development opportunities for staff, and his organizational leadership district-wide.”
Jodi Runyon, the superintendent’s executive assistant, said, “Dr. Nyland came to Marysville at a time when we needed him most and he has done great things for our district and the community. We will be challenged to sustain the work that’s been done and continue to build upon the strong educational and organizational foundation he helped create.”
Nyland was named the state’s Superintendent of the Year in 2006, and the lifelong educator will no doubt continue to be involved in Marysville’s educational goals as a member of the community.
“I hope to still be engaged in education,” he said. “I still have a real heart for students.”
The process of selecting a new superintendent will begin on Monday, as the school board chooses a consultant search firm. Nation noted that the board will seek community and staff input to establish criteria for the district’s next leader.
See Killer Whales “swimming” on the walls at the Northwest Stream Center. Thanks to amazing video photography by Jeff Hogan from Killer Wale Tales (killerwhaletales.org), you will be able to learn how to identify each member of the “Southern Pod.” They reside in waters around the San Juan Islands and make occasional trips south into Puget Sound. You will also learn about the newest babies – “calves.”
Jeff will teach you to recognize if the Orcas you see in Puget Sound are hunting for salmon, traveling from one area to another, or just playing as they leap and splash. You will also observe these magnificent whales sleeping….they sleep “on the move” by putting one-half of their extremely large brain tosleep while navigating with the other half!!
Thanks to a video-cam attachment, you will see a “whales eye view” of swimming in a killer whale pod (never seen on TV). “Jeff Hogan’s entertaining presentation is not only very educational, but fun for young and old.” says Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Tom Murdoch. “He is not only a great teacher and photographer, but a trained actor to boot. Jeff puts on a ‘whale of a show’!!!”
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Time: 11 a.m.
Tickets: $5 Members / $7 Non-members.
Advance Purchase Necessary. Call 425-316-8592 for reservations.
Minimum Class Size: 20
Age Recommendation: Grade 1 to Adult.
Christina Gahringer, Director of Education Technology educates kids about undersea exploration.
By Jeannie Briones, Tulalip News staff
TULALIP, Wash. – Every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club, kids ages 8-12 learn about undersea exploration. On January 9th, the kids enjoyed an educational video called the “Return to the Titanic”, which was shown in the Club’s immersion room.
“It’s impressive to see how much the kids remember from lesson to lesson and how much they retain and get excited to come back and share what they remember. Lessons are very different; some are science experiments, art base, and games,” said Christina Gahringer, Director of Education Technology for the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club.
The movie takes place 12,500 feet below sea level and explores the Titanic, whose wreckage was discovered by Dr. Robert Ballard in 1985. Christina showed three video clips, after each clip she get kids to participate by asking questions. The video provides information on how state of the art robots, like the Hercules and Argus, work hand-in-hand, and how Hercules excavates and transmits images back from the site of the wreckage.
The Hercules is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that maneuvers in difficult areas under sea. The ROV has the capability to take images from a high definition video camera and can lift up to 600 pounds.
The Tulalip Boys & Girls Club members participate in an interactive activity.
The Argus is also a ROV and is attached to the Hercules with a 100ft cable. Argus’s primary duty is to provide light to the Hercules. The Argus pumps 1200 watts of light at the bottom of the ocean.
The kids participated in a fun interactive activity using lines of string to demonstrate how information and images are relayed and filtered through the Hercules, Argus, and to surface ship.
For more information about Tuesday afternoon activities , please contact Christina Gahringer, Director of Education Technology at cgahringer@bgcsc.org.
Denney Juvenile Justice Center will begin new program that will benefit youths within the county’s At-Risk Youth and Juvenile Offender Drug Treatment court. With the $10,000 grant from Tulalip’s Charitable Donations Program, Denney is using the funds to train juvenile justice workers and create activities for the youth to become engaged in activities which are positive and create a place where youths will feel safe to discuss issues that are troubling them.
The youths in the program will be separated by gender which will give them a chance to talk with justice workers about specific topics which they might have otherwise hesitated talking about. The first open group will be made available to teenage girls, then boys and then possibly to all youth within the Denney Juvenile Justice Center. Parents are encouraged to attend and become involved in the activities arranged.
The idea of the program is to engage the youths into talking about what is hindering their recovery from drug abuse. By expanding their involvement in positive activities and build relationships with parents, youths will be more capable of overcoming issues which have caused them to abuse drugs.
Kids at Tulalip Montessori School sing Happy Birthday to Tribal member Christian Aviles.
By Jeannie Briones
Don’t you sometimes wish that you could go to work or school in your pajamas? Well that’s exactly what staff and students at Tulalip’s Montessori school did on December 19th, to celebrate their last day of class before winter break.
Adding to the day’s excitement, the snuggly pajama-clad group celebrated the 3rd birthday of student Christian Aviles. After a festive rendition of Happy Birthday had been sung in his honor, Christian blew out three candles on his cake and shared his favorite cookies, that he brought for everyone to enjoy.
Submitted by Monica Brown, Tulalip Tribes Communications Department
December 17, 2012
Dear Marysville School District families,
Words cannot express how saddened we all are over the series of events that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Our hearts go out to all those directly affected by this tragic and senseless shooting. As educators and parents we are especially saddened that most of the victims were vulnerable, innocent children. As our students hear of these events that may understandably feel anxious and frightened. The same feelings will most likely be experienced by parents and school staff as well. We are all affected and feeling less safe as a result.
Although we hope that it will never be necessary, we want you to know that our school district has a comprehensive student safety plan and we practice drills for lockdown, fire and other issues on a regular basis in our schools. We work with the Marysville and Tulalip Police and Fire Departments and the Snohomish County Sherriff’s Department as a part of our continuing effort to keep our children safe.
The following suggestions may be helpful to parents in assisting their children during this time:
Turn off or monitor the television. Endless news programs are likely to heighten anxiety, and young children cannot distinguish between images on television and their personal reality.
Maintain a normal routine.
Speak simply and honestly. Tell the truth using words the child can understand.
Remain calm and reassuring. Children take their cues from their parents and other caring adults around them.
Be a good listener and observer. Pay attention to changes in behavior.
Coming together and supporting each other is important at a time like this to help us get through our feelings of disbelief, fear and grief – and to help out children feel safe again. Every school has a counselor available to help your child should they need support.
Additional resources for parents and families are available on the following web sites:
Quil Ceda Elementary 4th grade students sing at the Annual Winter Program, held at the Heritage High School.
Article and photo by Jeannie Briones
The sounds of Christmas filled the air on December 19th as the students of Quil Ceda Elementary School presented their annual Christmas program. Due to the abundance of community members that regularly attend the event, this year’s program was held in the gymnasium at Tulalip Heritage High School. And with over 400 students, parents, and friends in attendance this year, the space was much needed.
The students put on a festive evening of holiday music, with selections presented by each grade level in the school, while family members took photos and videos of the little stars.
Native American Liaison, Eliza Davis enjoys having the community gathered for the winter program to show their support and love for the kids. Family and friends enjoyed songs, “Candle for Remembering,” which was belted out the fifth graders.
“I really enjoy singing for family and elders,” said Tribal member, Jasmin Mclean, a 5th grade student at the Quil Ceda Elementary School.
“It gets better every year. The spirit and the variety; it’s different every year and it’s not the same traditional Christmas songs,” said proud parent Krista Haley, supporting her daughter at the winter program.
Following the show, refreshments were served and attendees even got their photos taken with Santa, a perfect ending to a wonderful night of holiday magic.
Tulalip Heritage High School students look forward to a new empowerment program, specifically designed for teen girls, being introduced in the 2013 school year.
Article and photo by Jeannie Briones
TULALIP, Washington – Tulalip Family Haven is working to empower adolescent Native American girls and to help prepare them spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally for adulthood.
Alison Bowen, Family Haven Program Manager, June LaMarr, Health & Human Services Program Director and Co-Principal Director for Healthy Hearts, and Cherol Fryberg, Wraparound Coordinator, are in the developing stages for a new program for young Tulalip Tribal member girls, ages 14-17, aimed at fostering healthy living. Girls involved in the program will learn about positive life choices and building relationships with peers and adults, boosting their self-esteem and confidence and helping them through the tough transition to adulthood.
The program, which will accommodate approximately 20 girls, is designed to be an after-school venture, where three times a week girls can meet up and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities, while learning life skills.
“We are trying to focus on the positive parts of life and not necessarily talk about all the negative things that are out there, and experience ways to deal with stress, anger and things that are going to help them be successful,” said Alison.
Native American culture will be incorporated into the program, with girls learning native arts and crafts, like cedar basket making, and cooking healthy meals to share with the community.
Computer animation, photography, and writing and playing music will be taught to expand the girls’ minds and reveal hidden talents. Girls will also learn self-protection skills, how to regulate their emotions, and reproductive healthcare.
“We are exposing them to every possible thing we can. We want them to do community work, like cleaning up the beach. We will teach them what a full life is all about, like giving back and not being afraid to experience new things,” said Cherol.
“We plan to have activities for the young women like trips to Seattle, to a play or an opera, to have them experience things that they normally don’t experience and to get off the reservation,” explained June.
Students and parents can look forward to this yet-unnamed program being available for the 2013-14 school year at HeritageHigh School.
In the meantime, Alison, June and Cherol will be working diligently on gaining information and feedback from the community to assess what types of information and topics will be best suited for this program.
Once the program is in effect, a registered nurse will be available at the high school one a day a week to address any issues or concerns the girls may have.
For more information about this upcoming program, please contact Alison Bowen at 360-716-4322 or email abowen@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.
Students observe exhibits setup for GIS day at Heritage High School
By Monica Brown, Tulalip Communications Department
TULALIP, Washington – Heritage High School classrooms were set-up on the morning of December 13th, geared towards teaching students the many aspects of what a Geographic information system is and how to use it. GIS is a system for storing and manipulating geographical information on computers. Throughout the day students rotated on thirty-minute classroom sessions which covered software, planning, surveying/ground penetrating radar, natural resources, trivia and geocaching, which is basically a world-wide scavenger hunt using GPS technology. Students were given hands-on experience using a GPS outside and were able to navigate on-foot to set points through a GPS. GIS day was hosted by the Tulalip Data Services GIS team and Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources.
