13 December 2010
Principal’s Message
Congratulations ASB and sophomore class (go, Tran!) for sponsoring the successful and eventful Candyland Winter Tolo this past Saturday evening. Mr. McComb reports that the music was good, the dancing was fun, and the decorations were sweet! (and the smoke machine will not be invited back.)
Congratulations are also in order for Barrett Estep for earning the Aviation Merit Badge through Scout Troop 282 in West Seattle. Barrett and other Scouts had the privilege of spending a full day with Alaska Airlines employees to learn about airport operations, flight planning, airplane controls and emergency evacuations. Great accomplishment, Barrett!
Olivia Pham is our SODO Rotary Student of the Month for December. Olivia will be honored this Thursday by the SODO Rotarians, and on January 3 she will be recognized by the Southcenter Rotary Club. Congratulations, Olivia!
More students than ever seem to be taking to the skies this year to experience the excitement of flight. Katie McConville, Lauren Crom, Anastasia Pallis are among the other students who have shared their recent experiences. The interest in the freshman class is so high, in fact, that two of our Wingmen, Peter Anderson and Peter Morton are considering a request to organize flights sometime in the spring when the weather is more predictable. Stay tuned for more information!
We presented to our last group of Highline middle school students last week. Hooray and thanks to the many AHS ambassadors who have participated in recruitment activities. At Pacific Middle School on Friday, we presented to five classes, back-to-back with only a five-minute break in between. During the last presentation, Mrs. Onorati, a science teacher who coordinated our visit and who was present for all five sessions, remarked, “I never get tired of seeing your video and hearing your students present…they are so articulate…and their demonstrations are fascinating!” That is high praise, indeed, and well-earned! We have just one Information Night to come on January 13. Then it is on to reviewing applications and scheduling interviews. I look forward to more participation from student volunteers.
Only four days of school this week…and lots more visitors are scheduled:- Today—Monday, 1:30-3:00, new executive from Rolls Royce
- Tuesday, December 14, 11:30-1:30, Esterline VIPs & Doug King, new CEO of Museum of Flight
- Wednesday, December 15, 9:00-11:00, VP & HR Director of TECT Aerospace
- Thursday, 9:00-11:00, two administrators from the Bellevue School District—informal visit.
Your teachers and team/club advisors have information related to these visits. Many of you will be participating, so I thank you in advance for sharing your learning and goals for the future.
And so…as of Friday, you are officially on holiday break until January 3 when school resumes. May the holiday season be one of joy for all of you as you celebrate traditions that are unique and special to your family. My best to all of you amazing students, parents/guardians and families, mentors, and community partners. I am honored to know you and serve as your principal. ~Reba
NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.
Quote of the Week:
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” ~Robert F. Kennedy
6 December 2010
Principal’s Message
Student-led conferences that were postponed due to inclement weather are being made up after school today. As a reminder, students and guardians will keep their original appointed times. Check with your advisor if you are unsure of your time.
As a result of school closures the week of Thanksgiving, all student-led conferences in the Highline School District are being rescheduled. Since other schools in the district will be holding student-led conferences on Friday, 17 Dec, there will be no school any Highline Schools (including AHS) on Friday, 17 Dec. Since we will have already held our student-led conferences, it will mean an early start for AHS students to their winter holiday break!
Of course, we will make up the days lost to snow. Snow make-up days are currently scheduled for Friday, 27 May, and Monday, 27 June. Please note that we have built‐in additional snow make‐up days at the end of our school calendar, June 28‐30. If forecasters are to be believed, we will likely need those days. Keep this in mind as you make your plans for summer.
On a different note, if you have been serving as an AHS ambassador this year, know that your efforts are making a difference in how others view our school. More than 100 of you participated in last week’s second information program of the school year, demonstrating your learning and sharing your goals and plans for the future. I always receive notes of thanks from people who attend, so I’ve chosen to share one of them with you this week from a family who lives in a distant community:
“My son and I want to thank you, your teaching/staff, and the students who hosted and presented at last evening's open house. I cannot tell you how impressed we were with Aviation H.S. I was amazed at the maturity, intelligence, and warmth of the students we met. I was particularly impressed that every one of the young men and women articulated their career/life plans to achieve their dreams. I was touched as I watched my son interact with the other students as I realized we had found the perfect place for him.”
Know that you make a difference, each and every one of you!
This week brings more opportunities for ambassadorship. On Tuesday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. three key leaders of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia are touring our school to interact with students and staff and learn more about our STEM initiatives. Then from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. we will be hosting a group of VIPs that will include recent Pathfinder and aviator extraordinaire Clay Lacy, Pathfinder and Boeing flight test engineer Susanna Darcy-Hanneman (tentative), author of a new aviation book, Sam Howe Verhovek, and 7-8 other leaders within the region. Our wingman, Peter Morton, will be accompanying them. They have asked to see presentations by the Robotics and Science Olympiad teams, which will be scheduled during lunch, and they want to visit classes to talk with both staff and students. I will be sharing a schedule with staff that they, in turn, can share with you. Their visit represents a great opportunity for you to ask questions of them in addition to sharing your own learning experiences.
Next Tuesday, December 14 marks another ambassador opportunity as we host the new CEO of the Museum of Flight, Mr. Doug King and executive leaders of Esterline and Korry Electronics. Their visit will be from 11:30-1:30, and the schedule will be similar to this week’s VIP visit. Wednesday, December 15 marks yet another opportunity as the Vice-President of TECT Aerospace visits from 9-11 a.m.
Additional thanks goes to students who presented at Cascade and Sylvester Middle Schools last week. We conclude our middle school visits this week with presenting at Chinook on Wednesday and Pacific on Friday.
Congratulations to our Robotics team for hosting a successful First Lego League Invitational this past Saturday: twenty-two teams participated. Special thanks to Mr. Pascua, Mr. Gee, and Mr. Campisteguy for overseeing the set-up, judging, refereeing, and awards.
On Sunday, Skunkworks participated in one of two regional FTC tournaments - this one was at Tahoma Senior High School in Covington. We won the "Think" award, which was awarded for the high quality of our Engineering Notebook. We were also one of three finalists for the highest award given, the "Inspire" award. By being a finalist, we are automatically eligible for the State FTC Tournament, which will be held in January. I "think" we are now "inspired" to improve our performance at the next tournament, which is Dec. 12. Go Skunks!
I never have any doubts about the spirit of Aviation High School, and I look forward to seeing you express it even more this week as you participate in Spirit Week! Your ASB has worked hard to plan a fun week for you. Enjoy it…and as a gentle reminder, remember that if you choose not to participate, AHS dress code is required.
I’m honored to be your principal! My best to you—Reba
NOTE:
o Seniors: Ms. Juarez reminds you to submit your senior pictures for yearbook on or before Friday, 10 December.
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.
Quote of the Week:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the ONLY thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead
Posts
