Tukwila Reporter, April 16, 2014

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coverstory

PAGE 10

SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, pages 14-15

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BY DEAN A. RADFORDD R A D F O R D @ T U K W I L A R E P O R T E R . C O M

Th e Tukwila Village project has taken two key steps forward.

Th e residential and commercial project at South 144th Street and Tukwila Inter-national Boulevard is broken into three phases. It will feature a new King County Library System branch, a plaza and com-mons and housing for senior citizens.

Th e project developer, Tukwila Vil-lage Development Associates, submitted a building permit application March 27 for Phase 1, which covers the north side of South 144th Street and includes the new library.

Th en, the night of March 27, the city’s Board of Architectural Review approved the design for Phase 2, which is the nearly 2 acres on the south side of South 144th Street.

Th e review board, which consists of members of the Tukwila Planning Com-

mission, approved the site plan for Phase 1 and the new library in November.

Phase 3 design review will go before the board in the next six to 12 months, accord-ing to Derek Speck, Tukwila’s economic development director.

City staff will now begin review of the Phase 1 building permit application, which will take three or four months, according to Speck. Th e review includes whether the project meets codes related to build-ing, fi re, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, stormwater, among others.

Th e City of Tukwila will break ground on Tukwila Village once the building per-mit is issued.

Phase 2 of Tukwila Village includes two mixed-use buildings, with 68 units of se-nior housing in one building and 125 se-nior units in the other.

More information about the Tukwila Village project is available online at the City of Tukwila website, www.tukwilawa.gov/tukwilavillage.html.

Tukwila Village takes two important steps

This is an artist’s drawing of Phase 1 of Tukwila Village, the new library, commons and housing. City Of Tukwila

Tukwila Pool next to Foster High School will celebrate April Pools Day Saturday, April 19, from 1- 4:30 p.m.

Th e free water-safety event includes a water carnival with fun activities for the whole family and an open swim.

Participants will also have an opportu-nity to win a lifejacket or a free session of swimming lessons. Families are encour-aged to arrive early as space is limited to the fi rst 150 participants.

April Pools Day is celebrated throughout

the region and the nation designed to help reduced childhood drowning and teach families safe habits in and around water. Th e event is an opportunity for children and parents to learn water safety skills that could save a life during a water emergency.

April Pools Day is sponsored by the Drowning Prevention Network of Wash-ington State, Seattle Children’s Hospital and local pools. More information about April Pools Day can be found at www.se-attlechildrens.org/dp-apd.

It’s April Pools Day Saturday

Pajama Bowl is Sunday, April 27

Sleep Country’s Pajama Bowl for Foster Kids is Sunday, April 27, at ACME Bowl in Tukwila and in Kirkland.

Sleep Country’s Pajama Bowl raises money to fund the resources and “little ex-tras” local foster children oft en go without.

Participants can choose to bowl at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. when they register for the event.

Registration is open now at SleepCountryFos-terKids.org; there’s a $250 minimum contribution – $50/person.

Acme Bowl is at 100 An-dover Park W. in Tukwila.

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2 thevillageThe Tukwila Village development is moving along quickly, with key milestones that will lead to a groundbreaking in the next few months.

3 arbordayParticipants in the City of Tukwila spring-break camp helped plant trees along the Duwamish River, learning that their city is part of Tree City USA.

6 tukwila’sstoryDairies flourished in the Tukwila area in the 1900s, as dairymen took advantage of plenty of farmland where they could graze their cows.

7 bookitThe Tukwila Library Council, made up of teenagers, is making a difference at the Foster Library, providing their time and insights.

12 gobulldogsSpring sports are growling along at Foster High, with the boys soccer team making a statement about how good it is and the baseball team is a hit.

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19426 68th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032253.872.6600 www.tukwilareporter.com

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Kids at a spring-break camp at the Tukwila Community Center helped celebrate Arbor Day April 9 by planting nine native trees along the Duwamish River.

Mayor Jim Haggerton read the Arbor Day proclamation and told the kids that Tukwila is named after a tree in the Duwamish Indian language, “Land where the hazelnuts grow.”

Tukwila is part of Tree City USA, the Arbor Day Foun-dation.

City workers planted the “mayor’s tree,” a big leaf maple, then the kids went to work.

First, they offered their answers to the question, What are the benefits of trees? One young boy answered “dying,” which park superintendent Robert Eaton said is true. Then

he changed his ques-tion, “What are some good things.”

Trees clean the air, provide food and help with oxygen, were some of the an-swers.

And two tips for planting trees: Don’t jump on the shovel and gently remove the tree from the con-tainer by tapping its sides to loosen the soil.

The Arbor Day event was a joint ven-ture of the city’s Parks and Recreation De-partment and the De-partment of Commu-nity Development.

Sandra Whiting, a city environmental specialist, said the trees were planted along a part of a long stretch of the Duwamish River that’s being cleared of invasive blackberries.

“The idea is to provide some shade for the river” said Whiting, and some vegetation along the river where bugs will flourish and feed the fish.

Kids dig in to help Tukwila mark Arbor Day

Nate Robinson, a Tukwila teen program specialist, supervises the digging of a hole for a tree. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Youngsters from the City of Tukwila spring-break camp at the Tukwila Community Center help city worker Randy Engle dig a hole for a tree April 9. RIGHT: Mayor Jim Haggerton reads the Arbor Day proclamation. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Duwamish challengeThe Restore the Duwamish River Challenge is an ongoing effort to restore the river’s shoreline. The next cleanups are April 19, May 9 and June 13. Learn more about the challenge and register for an event at www.restoretheduwamish.org

Southgate Garden Club meets monthly

The Southgate Garden Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Tukwila Community Center.

The meetings are 7-9 p.m.; the community center is at 12424 42nd Ave. S.

“We look forward to seeing you,” said club member Au-drey Davis, who extended the invitation to everyone of all ages.

The club holds workshops on year-round gardening. The club will participate in the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 10.

4 APRIL 2014 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.comviewpoint

writestaff

regional publisherpolly shepherd

publisherellen morrison

[email protected]

editordean radford

[email protected]

425.255.3484, ext. 5150

circulationjames kostoroski

253.872.6610

The Tukwila Reporter encourages reader

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Volunteers are the selfl ess among us who see a need to fi ll or answer a call to serve, without expecting anything in return.

And, in Tukwila, there are plenty of selfl ess people.

In 2013 volunteers of all stripes in the city donated more than 10,065 hours to help others through their

churches, their schools, their government and their businesses and community organizations.

Last week was National Vol-unteer Week, as

proclaimed by Mayor Jim Hagger-ton, to recognize those volunteers who made such a diff erence in Tukwila.

Th is month’s cover story is about two “guardian angels,” two women who watch over a busy school bus stop on South 144th Street just west of Tukwila International Bou-levard.

Ann Lemus, a mother, an aunt and a grandmother, saw a need and acted. Dozens of grade school-

ers waiting to board the bus to Cascade View Elementary School had little or no adult supervision. Th ey were endangered by impa-tient drivers and by their propen-sity to act like, well, kids.

Lemus and her step-daughter Marie Lemus organized a system to line up the students that cut the time to load them in about half. And they’re there nearly every day, morning and aft ernoon, to help monitor behavior – and, as you’ll read, make sure they don’t go to school wet.

Th e Lemus team is unique and Ann and Marie deserve the thanks of all the adults who live in the nearby apartment complexes who have kids at that stop.

Th is is also a larger story of pa-rental responsibility. Until your kids board a school bus aft er leav-ing home, you’re responsible for their safety.

Th e school district expects that the kids will show “classroom be-havior” at the bus stop and on the bus. But that doesn’t always hap-pen, so thanks to any adults who step up to keep our kids safe.

City’s volunteers deserve our thanks

EDIT

OR’S

NOTE

Dea

n A

. Rad

ford

Welcome to spring! Schools always have an energy surge this time of year as the days get longer and warmer. It’s like we are all verdantly emerging from the gray drizzle of winter, and even the hint of a sun ray is sure to draw a gathering of students outside to common areas to talk, eat, laugh, linger . . .

Watching this recent buzz of activity in the outdoor amphitheater at Foster High School, I recalled how many important things I have learned about my schools in this type of seemingly casual environment. Students, for the most part, are incredible self-advocates who want to speak up about their experiences; but I have discovered that if I want to under-stand their world, I have to seek them out in it. Among friends, on their “home turf,” in a less formal adult-kid power structure, students feel safe to talk — what’s going right? What’s not? How’s life?

Th is revelry sparked an “aha” moment several nights later during a community-wide meeting about the district’s emerging strategic plan. Th ose who came had a thoughtful, deep conversation about their hopes, dreams, and priorities for local students. Th ose who came, however,

represented only a handful of residents in this com-munity. Yes, we off ered interpreters and food and advertised as widely as we could throughout the district — but, as I fl ashed back to my experience with students, I realized that this type of formal eve-ning setting is likely outside the comfort level for many families.

So in addition to the next community-wide stra-tegic plan meeting at 6:30 p.m. this Th ursday, April 17, at Tukwila El-ementary, I want to make a standing off er: LET ME COME TO YOU! Wherever you gather and feel connected to community, let me come there, to your home turf, where you are at ease and empowered to speak your truth. Th is could be a faith-based, service, civic, or business organi-zation; it could even be your home or apartment complex.

I want to talk to you specifi cally about the strategic plan because it will be the roadmap that shapes our schools for years to come. It’s not my strategic plan. It’s our strategic plan. We are cultivating community for one Tukwila. But I understand that “strategic plan” sounds pretty corpo-rate and daunting. Instead, think of it this way: I want to talk with you about your experiences with local schools and your expectations for how we educate children. You personally already have all the knowledge you need to be an expert for this conversation.

Please take me up on my off er. Come to this week’s meeting, or call me and I’ll come to you. We can talk about the strategic plan in the more formal sense or we can discuss any educational issues of interest to you. Our community liaisons — who connect schools with the Burmese-, Ne-pali-, Somali-, Spanish-speaking families —are more than willing to help facilitate these conversations.

I am at 206-901-8006 or [email protected]. Talk to you soon!In service,Dr. Nancy Coogan

Dr. Nancy Coogan is superintendent of the Tukwila School District.

I’ll come to you totalk about schools

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You know about the hotels up on Tuk-wila International Boulevard (TIB), right? Th e city is buying the Great Bear Motor Inn, the Boulevard Motel and Travelers Choice Motel. Th ey are closed and board-ed up. It will take a while to complete the deals. Th e approximate total cost will be $3.6 million not including transaction costs. Th e money will likely come from the facilities fund and bonding (borrow-ing).

Th e buildings will probably be taken down. Th is will reduce the value of the properties. When it is time to sell the properties, it will be tempting to sell to the highest bidder regardless of what they want to build. More fast food anyone? Th e city should not do this. Instead, a devel-oper should be selected who will build to the vision of Tukwila and improve TIB.

Tukwila Village will be well on its way to completion. Hopefully this will make

the motel properties more attractive and a better value to developers.

As time goes by, Tukwila will be look-ing to buy other properties on TIB within the urban renewal area. Th is will have to be balanced with some major upcoming transportation projects that may require some signifi cant dollars.Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish

can be reached via email at [email protected]

This is Tukwila’s chance to get TIB right

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For the fi rst time in years, the City of Tukwila is increasing the fees billed for false alarms that draw a police or fi re re-sponse.

Th e new fees adopted by the City Coun-cil in March went into eff ect April 1.

Under the new fee schedule, the fi rst two false alarms are free, the third false alarm is $150 and the fourth and subsequent alarms are $200 each.

Until now, the fee for the third and sub-sequent police false alarms was $25; the fourth and subsequent false fi re alarm was $50.

Th e number of false alarms is calculated on a calendar year. Th e higher fees are de-signed to recoup more of the costs of re-sponding and to deter more false alarms.

Th e city last changed the fees for a police false alarm in 1985 and in 2004 for fi re false alarms.

In 2012 there were 872 police false alarms; businesses and residences were billed $6,375 for 255 of those. During the same year, there were 552 fi re false alarms; businesses and residences were billed $600 for 17 of those.

Responding to a false alarm is not only costly to the city but could also mean a de-layed response to a legitimate call, accord-ing to city offi cials.

Typically, two offi cers respond to a secu-

rity alarm at a residence or business, tak-ing 10 to 20 minutes to check windows and doors for any signs of a break-in.

A fi re response takes about 30 minutes; fi refi ghters must gear up apparatus before leaving a fi re station, according to the city.

Th e city bills for the costs to respond, in-cluding personnel and vehicles, and for the time to bill and collect payments.

Th e city has off ered tips on how to avoid false alarms:

Homeowners• Keep pets, helium-fi lled balloons,

plants, and other loose items away from the motion sensor.

• Make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked to ensure that all alarm contacts are properly aligned.

• Make sure all guests understand the alarm system, explaining how to enter/exit the residence without setting off the alarm and, if it’s accidentally set off , how to deac-tivate it correctly and quickly.

• Call 911 and report an accidental alarm so emergency crews can be advised.

• In addition, be sure that an alarm sys-tem is properly maintained and in good operating condition.

Businesses• Be sure that all staff members are

trained on how to properly activate and deactivate the alarm system.

• Explain not to leave the area right away; wait a few minutes to ensure that the alarm system does not have a false activation.

Alarm fees increase

tukwila’sstory

BY PAT BRODINAND LOUISE JONES-BROWNT U K W I L A H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y

Th e Duwamish River Valley was dotted with many family dairies starting in the late 1800s. Many of the homestead immi-grants found rich soil in the river bottoms that produced more hay per acre. John Wesley Maple’s Teetalk Dairy was listed in the 1897 Polk directory as being located at the mouth of the Duwamish River. Further up river were dairies established by Archie Codiga, Herman Anderson, James Nelsen and his brother Charlie and James Nielsen who established Riverview Farms which was still running wholesale routes in 1990.

In 1922 Herman and Grace Anderson moved from Skagit County to Tukwila and started Hermway Dairy with 11 cows. By 1929 the company had 12 retail milk routes; by 1950 there were 30. Th e herd of 150 cows on 180 acres could not support continued growth, and Anderson bought milk from Consolidated Dairy Products in Burlington. He hauled the milk 90 miles to Tukwila early each morning. Anderson kept innovating to increase business, for a

time selling kosher milk and ice cream.Son Wynn recalls: “During World War

II, with gasoline shortages, dairies traded business. One of the Golden Arrow routes that traveled to Ballard traded equal quart-age with another company whose route came to Burien.”

By 1948 the commercial value of the land was drawing the attention of develop-ers, the City of Tukwila began consider-ing annexation of the area that included the Golden Arrow Dairy property. Cows

used to pass beneath the street through a concrete structure to graze beyond where Tukwila Parkway now runs. Th e old cattle crossing existed under Southcenter Boule-vard until street improvements were made in the late 1980s.

Th e farmland had been sold to the An-dover Co. and was later developed into the Andover Industrial Park site near the Southcenter retail area.

(Excerpted from ‘Tukwila – Community at the Crossroads” written by Dr. Kay Re-

inartz; Chapter 13 entitled “Dairy Farms, Nurseries and Market-Garden Farms Flourish in the Duwamish Valley”)

Pat Brodin is past president of the Tuk-wila Historical Society, which operates the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center. Lou-ise Jones-Brown is the center’s interim direc-tor. Th e center can be reached by phone at 206-244-HIST or via email at [email protected].

Tukwila’s milk nourished generations

AT LEFT: The Golden Arrow Dairy was one of numerous dairies in the Tukwila that for decades in the 1900s sold milk throughout the Seattle area; the dairy herds grazed on the Green River Valley – where Southcenter stands today – when it was farmland. AT RIGHT: The dairy is still visible during construction of Interstate 405 in the mid 1960s. The view is northeast at Southcenter Boulevard and 65th Avenue South. Tukwila Historical Society

CALENDAR • April 17: 7 p.m.,

monthly member-ship meeting, Tuk-wila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S.

• May 15: 7 p.m., monthly member-ship meeting, Tuk-wila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S.

• May 22-23: 7 p.m., Spring Theater Production -Military Road Play, Foster High School, 4242 S. 144th St.



Twice in just three days, the Tukwi-la Community Center sheltered Tuk-wila residents who were ousted from their apartments by fire.

The center’s gym was filled with cots and tables and lunch and dinner were cooking in its kitchen, provided by the American Red Cross and its partners.

Three residents of the Boulevard at South Station apartments on South 154th Street near Southcenter needed temporary shelter after a suspicious, two-alarm fire March 28 at the apart-ment complex.

And then Sunday morning, March 30, smoke filled the hallways of Riv-erside Residence Inn in north Tuk-wila after another suspicious fire drew multiple fire agencies.

Forty-seven residents, including three children, were brought to the community center, where they were sheltered until the evening of April 2.

The cause of both fires was under investigation by the Tukwila fire mar-shal and damage estimates weren’t yet available.

Tukwila Police officers also re-sponded to an inci-dent Riverside, in-volving the resident of the room where the fire started.

Tukwila Police Commander Eric Drever said the resi-dent’s visitor threat-ened him with a knife. The resident fled and the suspect was found hiding in some bushes. He was taken into custody.

One resident of the Riverside was treated by medics for a finger lacera-tion.

Sherry Watson was eating breakfast Sunday morning, watching a movie, at about 11 a.m. when the fire alarms went off.

“I opened my door. I thought it was nothing and went back in,” she said.

About 30 seconds later she heard somebody scream, “This is real.”

“I opened the door again and watched as the smoke was coming

around the corner, down the hall,” she said. “It was crazy.”

She and her husband grabbed what they could, including a jacket and pair of shoes, and got out.

On hand was the American Red Cross to provide assistance to those in need.

“They were amazing,” said Watson.Maggie Burke, the

shelter’s manager for the Red Cross, was back at the Tukwila Community Center Sunday, March 30, af-ter setting up a smaller overnight stay for the residents of the the Boulevard apartments.

Public Health – Se-attle and King County

had a nurse at the community cen-ter to provide assistance. Mayor Jim Haggerton visited the shelter Monday morning.

The Red Cross has an agreement with the City of Tukwila to use the community center for such emer-gencies. It’s one of about 300 pre-determined facilities in the Seattle area where the Red Cross can set up shelters

Tukwila’s community center is particularly attractive because it has space (the gym), bathrooms, showers – and a big kitchen to cook meals – beef stew Sunday night – for the shel-

ter clients.Red Cross partners donate food

for the shelters. The meals are basic, meat, potatoes and a vegetable.

Sometimes folks are “cranky” be-cause of the food, but that’s because of they circumstance they are in, said Burke.

Burke says she replies in a fun jocu-lar way: “I say ‘You now, this is really survivorship, it’s not cruise ship.’”

Monday, staff at the community center dropped off games and cards at the gym. Burke expressed gratitude to the City of Tukwila for its support.

The Red Cross has trailers filled with cots and other supplies. A tarp was placed to protect the wood floor in the gym. Lights go off at 10 p.m. and back on at 7 p.m., but there’s a place to gather outside the gym if people just can’t sleep.

Fire crews from Renton, Kent and Burien responded to help fight the two-alarm fire at the Riverside Resi-dence Inn on Tukwila International Boulevard just south of Boeing Field.

Tukwila Fire Department Battalion Chief Marty Roberts said the fire was contained to an apartment on the first floor and was extinguished quickly.

“The smoke was the biggest issue,” Roberts said, in the U-shaped build-ing.

Editor Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext. 5150.

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Sherry Watson was one of the displaced residents of the Riverside Residence In in north Tukwila taking shelter at the Tukwila Community Center. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter.

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The deadline to return ballots in this month’s special election is 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 – at a secured drop-box.

Voters returning ballots by mail need to affix first-class postage and ensure the envelope is postmarked by April 22.

The countywide ballot includes a measure to improve Metro transit ser-vice. All voters were to receive a ballot and a voters’ pamphlet, which will be mailed separately. All voters will re-ceive the same voters’ pamphlet.

Voters have many options for re-turning their ballot, including drop

boxes and vans. Ten drop boxes are open 24 hours/day until 8 p.m. on election day.

More information is available at King County Elections website, www.kingcounty.gov/elections, or by call-ing 206-296-VOTE (8683).

Special election set on funding for buses



Tukwila’s teens have a voice in how the Foster Library operates and a chance to make a diff erence in the new library at Tukwila Village through the Tukwila Library Council.

Th e president of the council is Cierra Ghafari, a junior at Foster High School, who feels strongly about libraries and attributes much of her success to them.

“I love them, because without libraries I wouldn’t have developed my love for reading or books,” she said. “And without that, I wouldn’t have been in my honors classes and my AP classes.”

She developed her social skills at the library and the way she talks with people – “everything,” she says.

It was Ghafari’s idea last September to start a Tukwila Library Council at the Foster Library; such teen advisory

groups exist at other librar-ies in the King County Li-brary System, according to Rachel McDonald, the teen librarian at the Foster and Valley View libraries.

Th e council has about 15 members who meet once a month but volunteer regu-larly at the library in such programs as Book Buddies, where they help younger kids with their reading skills.

Later this month, the council will bring books to the community around Foster High School, as part of World Book Night, a na-tional eff ort during which thousands of books will be

distributed.“We’re going to distribute them out to the community,

to spread the joy of reading in our community,” Ghafari said.

Fittingly, World Book Night is April 23 – William Shake-speare’s birthday.

Th e library will receive 20 copies of fi ve “really good books,” she said.

“Th e catch is we can’t hand them out unless we read them or have read them,” she said. “So if the person asks what’s the book about, we can tell honestly whether they would like it.”

Th e council members will distribute the books close to Foster High School, venturing up to Tukwila International Boulevard. Th e books will go to “people we might think look like they need a good book to read,” she said.

Year round, the Tukwila Library Council promotes the programs at the Foster Library, provides a voice for teens in the library’s operations and acts as library ambassadors to their peers, McDonald said.

A KCLS facilities coordinator showed pictures of furni-ture to the council for the teen section of the new library – bean-bag chairs and a “really cool” swivel hair.

Th e council won’t know for sure whether their choices will end up in the new library until all design work is done. But McDonald pointed out that the teens’ choices for a renovated Auburn Library were selected.

“I am excited now,” said Ghafari. “Th ose chairs were comfortable.”

A date hasn’t been set yet, but the council is planning a readathon to raise at least $5,000 for an expanded com-

munity room at the library. Council members will contact potential donors who will pledge money for every part or all of a book read.

Ghafari will graduate from Foster before the new library is built. Despite her love of libraries, she doesn’t plan to become a librarian.

“I want to be an FBI agent,” she said, and write, too.For sure, she wants to get into some type of law.“I am just going to have to see where life takes me,” she

said.Dean A. Radford can be reached

at 425-255-3484, ext. 5150.

conversationwithTeens’ voices heard at the Foster Library

World Book NightHere are the books that

will be distributed April 23 by members of the Tukwila Library Council.

Where’d You Go, Berna-dette? by Maria Semple

Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Ja-mie Ford

Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

AT LEFT: Cierra Ghafari president of the Tukwila Library Council, stands among the racks at the Foster Library. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter. BELOW: Tommy Dang,a member of the Tukwila Library Council, reads to participants in the Foster Library’s Book Buddies pro-gram. Tukwila School District

8 APRIL 2014 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2014 9

TUKWILA CITY PAGESMAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: De’Sean Quinn

Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more… get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov!

Fight identity theft! Take advantage of a FREE Shredding Event at BECU Tukwila Financial Center – Satuday, April 19, 10AM to 1PM

Phone: 206-431-3670 Email: [email protected]

Tukwila Office of Code Enforcement

Come discuss what’s on your mind

from 10:00AM to 12:00PM at FOSTER GOLF CLUBHOUSE

13500 Interurban Ave S

Council Chat is a monthly chance to stop by and informally

speak with one of your Tukwila City Councilmembers about anything

on your mind regarding your community.

CouncilChat

Next Chat: May 10

Tukwila’s Public Works Department is finalizing a construction contract for the Interurban Roadway project, which will extend from just south of 58th Ave South to the Fort Dent intersection. The construction is currently anticipated to begin in late spring/early summer of 2014 and will likely run through the 2015 construction season. This project will likely cause localized traffic congestion for much of construction on this heavily used traffic corridor between the I-405 and I-5 interchanges.

Proposed roadway improvements include replacing the water and storm drainage utilities as well as extensive roadside improvements including curb, gutter, sidewalk, planter strips and center medians through much of the project limits. Another significant feature of the work will be retaining wall reconstruction and additional slide protection along the river bend just west of the Fort Dent/Starfire Park.

Through traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction for most of Spring 2014–2015. Access to local businesses and res-

idences (including bus service) will be maintained, however commuters who use the arterial for

transportation through the work zone are strongly encouraged to explore alter-

nate routes.

For project updates and an-nouncements, click on the “Construction Activity” link on the City’s home page at TukwilaWA.gov.

❖ Anti-freeze

❖ Motor oil and filters

❖ Lead acid batteries

❖ Alkaline batteries (AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C & D cell batteries only)

❖ Tires (6 per load; no heavy truck or backhoe tires. User fees apply for extra tires and tires on rims)

❖ Bulky yard waste (no rocks, brush, leaves, sod or grass)

❖ Scrap wood (untreated, unpainted wood only)

❖ Scrap metal (ferrous & non-ferrous)

❖ Used clothing

❖ Reusable small household goods

❖ Cardboard (please flatten; no wax-coated cardboard)

❖ Electronic equipment (cell phones, printers, keyboards, fax machines, scanners, VCRs, CD/DVD players and stereos. NO computer moni-tors, laptop computers, or TV sets.)

PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIRED. ALL ITEMS ARE RECYCLED AT NO CHARGE,

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. ALL USER FEES MUST BE PAID BY CASH ONLY.

Please do not bring

✖ Hazardous waste

✖ Garbage

✖ Window glass

✖ Concrete

✖ Paint of any kind

✖ Furniture

RESIDENTIAL LOADS ONLY. These are the only materials that will be collected and recycled:

❖ Residential propane tanks ($5 charge)

❖ Appliances ($5 charge for each water heater with insulation)

❖ Porcelain toilets and sinks (remove toilet seats, hardware and base wax rings; $10 charge)

❖ Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers ($25 charge per unit)

❖ Clean white styrofoam blocks (expanded poly-styrene only – look for a #6 or EPS inside the recycling symbol). No urethane foam cushions, polypropylene, or foam insulation. Material must be dry. You can also drop this material at Styro Recycle, 800 SW 43rd Street in Renton. Visit StyroRecycle.com, or call 253-838-9555.)

❖ Mattresses, box springs, futons (any size; $10 fee per mattress, box spring, or futon. No furniture or frames. No wet or soiled items. Vendor reserves the right to refuse any item it cannot recycle.)

On May 17, Tukwila residents will have the opportunity to purchase recycled plastic rain barrels during the Special Recycling Collec-tion Event at the Tukwila Village site. These barrels will be sold for the reduced price of $25, cash only. Supplies are very limited; first come, first served! Rain barrel purchase is lim-ited to one per household; proof of your Tukwila residence/address is required.

Saturday, May 17 – 9:00AM to 3:00PM

Location: Tukwila Village site, corner of S 144th Street & 41st Avenue S

SPECIAL EVENT RECYCLING COLLECTION

RAIN BARREL SALE

In 2003 the City of Tukwila imposed a Utility Tax and added surcharge to Seattle City Light customers as a contract fee. With Resolution No. 1647, the City established policy to rebate the additional taxes and contract surcharge fees to low-income seniors (62 or older) or dis-abled residents who may be eligible for electric and natural gas utility rebates.

Criteria for eligibility

◆ Must be at least 62 years of age or disabled.◆ Must have combined income of less than $31,150

or less than $27,250 if single.◆ Must be a Puget Sound Energy or Seattle City Light customer.

Required information due by June 30, 2014

❖ Must complete application and notarized supplemental affidavit at the Finance Department in Tukwila City Hall.

❖ Must provide copy of their 2013 Income Tax Return.❖ Provide copy of their Puget Sound Energy or Seattle City Light

12/31/13 billing statement as verification of customer account status.

Payment process

Those applicants determined to be eligible will receive a rebate check from the City based on the actual taxes and surcharges paid for 2013. For addi-tional information, please call Lily Jue, Fiscal Coordinator at 206-433-7190.

You may be eligible for 2013 utility tax rebates

Improving Neighborhood AppearanceIn response to citizen concerns, at the April 7 City Council meet-ing the Department of Community Development presented a plan to increase code enforcement presence in our residen-tial neighborhoods. The plan includes streamlining the code enforcement process, adding temporary staff to help manage the backlog, and involving the community by way of a “Spring Clean-Up” event in June.

Concentrating on the residential neighborhoods and the Tuk-wila International Boulevard corridor will help us meet the City’s Strategic Plan goal of “a community of inviting neighborhoods.” Code Enforcement is committed to improving the look and feel of our neighborhoods through code compliance, and we encour-age all citizens to get involved. Please email Code Enforcement at [email protected], or call 206-431-3671.

Jim Haggerton Mayor, City of Tukwila

Mayor’s Message

March 22, 2014, will be remembered as the day the community of Oso was forever changed by a devas-tating landslide. For a few members of the Tukwila Fire Department, their lives were also changed as they answered a call for help from county, State and Federal agencies. Tukwila is humbled and proud to lend our employees and equipment to the difficult search and recovery effort.

Tukwila Fire Captains Jason Konieczka, Mark Morales and Rich Rees were part of the first team from the Washington State FEMA Task Force team. Firefight-ers Merle Brooks and Aaron Johnson were part of the second team, and are currently in Oso serving as of this writing. This team is working with excava-tors– in 12-hour shifts, from 7:00am to 7:00pm – to painstakingly search through the massive mud slide.

We have also sent a small specialized team of six people that have been assigned to assist the group trying to divert the Stillaguamish River to make searching a little easier. They are Captain Chuck Mael as Team Leader, Captain Ken Beckman, and firefighters Matt Czuleger, Matt Houchens, Andy Nevens and Patrick O’Brien. Their work to lower water levels will positively impact the entire recovery operation.

Firefighter Matt Hickey, who serves as our city Com-munications Leader, is working in the Arlington Command Center. Additionally, we sent our Com-munity Emergency Response Team (CERT) Coor-dinator, Raejean Kreel, to the Snohomish County Emergency Operations Center in Everett. Raejean is serving to help with logistics, alongside Tukwila Cap-tain Mike McCoy, who is now serving as the Opera-tions Section Chief.

I’m sure many of you have seen pictures on the news of the large flag posted in the middle of the debris field. Tukwila is proud to report we donated that flag to the site on behalf of the City. Our Task Force members participated in posting it. It was an emotional event for all.

I am very proud of our City of Tukwila first responder employees, and I’d like to formally thank them for helping our neighbors to the north in their time of need, as I know other communities would have done for us.

Helping a community in need – Tukwila responds to the Oso tragedy

Flag donated by Tukwila at the landslide site

Traffic to be affected by Interurban project that will improve roadway and stabilize slopes

Arbor Day celebrated at Community Center

On April 9 the weather at Tukwila’s Community Center was perfect for tree planting as Mayor Haggerton read a proclamation observing Arbor Day in Tukwila. After the short ceremony, City staff – along with Spring Day Camp attendees – planted trees near the river, and discussed the importance of trees in protecting our environment.

As part of the community outreach to gather information for the update of our Comprehensive Plan, the City of Tukwila held two Community Conversations (on March 6 and 8) with a combined attendance of approximately 180 community members, a City record. Eight language groups were represented, and interpreters were provided to support small group conversations.

Attendees heard the results of 260 surveys completed by residents and offered additional data about community priorities, neighborhood quality, and ways to promote healthy living. Opinions shared at the events and on the survey expressed a need for more high quality affordable

housing, a new large grocery store near Tukwila Interna-tional Boulevard, improved public safety, and accessible Parks and Recreation facilities and programs.

City staff is compiling the information, which will be help-ful not only for the Comprehensive Plan update but also with prioritization of 2015/2016 budget options. These ef-forts were partially funded by an EPA Building Blocks for Sustainable Commu-nities grant, and sup-ported by our part-ners Forterra, Global to Local, Futurewise and One America.

Tukwila hears directly from citizens at recent Community Conversation get-togethers

Keep this number handyOn April 10, for a few morning hours 911 service experienced an outage in Washington State. 911 is currently working, and should always be your first call in an emergency. If you can’t

reach 911 and you have an emergency, call 253-852-2121.

April is Safe Digging Month! Tukwila’s Fire Department reminds all residents and businesses to avoid injury, expense, embarrassment – and a very inconvenient day in the dark. Planning a home improvement job? Planting a tree? Installing a fence? WAIT! Always call 811 before starting any digging project! Learn more about getting underground utilities marked by calling 811 or 1-800-424-5555, or visit these websites:

www.Call811.com www.CallBeforeYouDig.org


coverstory

Ann Lemus wades through a crowd of Cascade View Elementary School students after rounding up stragglers who were headed for the bus stop at the La Rochelle apartments. BELOW: Lemus is at the bus stop for about 10 to 15 minutes but everyone on the bus is all smiles and ready for the trip to school. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter


It’s a thankless job that deserves a thanks, keeping watch over dozens of kids at a school bus stop, and, in Ann Lemus’ case, keeping them out of a muddy swimming hole.

Ann’s motivation is simple.“I do it because I’ve have been

part of this school district for 18 years and the kids deserve to be safe out here,” said Lemus, whose daughter Michelle and son Ma-tias Soldonia IV attended Tukwila schools. Her husband’s name is Miguel.

She talks in between rounding up grade-schoolers at the bus stop at the La Rochelle apartment com-

plex on South 144th Street. Th e stop serves three apartment com-plexes and typically there are about 60 kids waiting to get on the bus to Cascade View Elementary School.

Lemus is regularly joined by her step-daughter, Marie Lemus, who for three years have devoted morn-ings and aft ernoons at the bus stop.

Th e stop is within walking distance of Cascade View, but because of the dangers of crossing South 144th Street at or just west of Tukwila Interna-tional Boulevard, the students ride the bus. Directly across 144th is the Samara apart-ments, but those children walk because they don’t have to cross a busy street.

Besides La Rochelle the students at the bus stop live at the Colonial apartments and the Riverton View apartments, which Lemus has managed for 13 years.

Some of Lemus’ stories are har-rowing, including cars with impa-tient drivers that try to run over the kids. “We have to stand in front of the cars to stop them,” she said.

And then there’s the swimming hole.

Lemus points to a fence that sur-rounds a vacant site right next to the bus stop. It didn’t exist a couple months ago, or at least part of it needed repair.

In any case, the fence didn’t keep kids waiting at the bus to go for a swim in what Lemus de-scribes as a lake. Mind you, it was winter.

“Th ey were swim-ming in their clothes and then they got back in line and went to school like

that,” said Lemus of the little kin-dergarteners.

So Lemus called “Miss Kari” – Kari Young, the Cascade View sec-retary – who talked with Principal Jeff Baker, who called Superinten-dent Nancy Coogan, who called the City of Tukwila.

Lemus was on the phone to the district, too. “She was mad and so was I,” said Young said of Lemus.

Kari’s husband Ron, who works in maintenance for the Tukwila

Guardian angels: keeping kids safe

Ann and Marie Lemus stepped up when the huge crowd of grade schoolers at a bus stop on South 144th Street became a safety hazard for kids, buses

“The kids deserve to be safe out here.”

Ann Lemus,bus-stop volunteer

[ more ANGELS page 11 ]

On the cover

Ann Lemus, with niece Treanna, stands at the entrance to the bus as students load. The driver is Sam McIlwain, who has been taking kids to school for about 2 1/2 years. The students call him “Mr. Mac.”



Hundreds of students ride a school bus every day, along one of the Tukwila School District’s 13 bus routes.

Sometimes there are parents or other adults at a bus stop to keep on eye on behavior – and sometimes there are not.

For sure, the school district’s responsibility for the safety of Tukwila’s students doesn’t begin until they step into a

school bus, according to Kathy Breault, the district’s transportation supervisor.

Another way to say that is that parents are respon-sible for the safety of their children on the way to school and while they are waiting at a bus stop.

“The parents control the bus stops,” said Breault.

But the district provides guidance on bus stop and bus behavior in a student hand-book and online, taking its lead from state law.

Chapter 392-145 of the Washington Administrative Code lays out regulations for operating school buses and riding in them.

Under the district’s bus-stop rules, students are expected to exhibit classroom behavior, which means no shoving or other disruptive behavior. They should load and unload in an orderly manner.

“Without parents, they can be a little mischievous,” said Breault of student behavior at a bus stop. “We don’t want them running around.”

If there is a problem at a bus stop, Breault or a driver trainer will monitor the situation.

Breault says that Ann and Marie Lemus are “going a great job” at the La Rochelle bus stop.

“If there is a problem they need our help with, they call us but mostly they act independently,” she said.

1009228

School District, watched the swim-ming hole for the afternoon. The next day, he and a city worker re-paired the fence, Kari Young said.

Lemus’s two children attended Cascade View, where she was a volunteer for field trips and was a regular visitor to the classroom. Mi-chelle graduated last November and will walk at commencement in June. Matias graduated in 2010.

Lemus’s niece Treanna is a third- grader at Cascade View and waits at the bus stop with her.

Three years ago, it was quickly ap-parent to Lemus that the crowded bus stop at La Rochelle needed some order. South 144th is busy and con-flicts occurred between students.

And there was a single line of

students that stretched through the parking lot toward the apartment building. Lemus assessed the situa-tion – and then bought some white spray paint.

She painted grade numbers on the ground in white paint, includ-ing K for kindergarten and E for ECEAP (Early Childhood Educa-tion and Assistance Program).

“They do a lineup system at the school, so I do a lineup system here,” said Lemus. “The younger kids have to get on the bus first, because they have to get off the bus first at the school.”

Such orderliness lessens the time the bus holds up traffic while stu-dents board, Young said.

“The amount of time is cut by half, by having those two darlings over-

see the kids,” said Kathy Breault, the Tukwila School District’s transpor-tation supervisor.

“The impact on traffic is phenom-enal,” she said.

Lemus is expecting to stand guard at the bus stop for another five years; granddaughter Alondra will start school next year at Cascade View.

“They deserve to be safe,” Lemus said of the students at the bus stop.

“They deserve to get on the bus and go to school and not have to worry about being run over or swimming in a lot that they don’t block correctly.”

The volunteer service provided by Ann and Marie Lemus is unique in the school district, Breault said.

“They are our guardian angels,” she said.

Bus-stop safety is parental job

Orderliness speeds up loading, gets waiting vehicles on way

Ann Lemus and Cascade View Elementary School students hear the bus coming as they wait on South 144th Street at the La Rochelle apartments. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

[ANGELS from page 10]

BUS -STOP RULES

The Tukwila School District has information online about rules for student behavior at a bus stop and while on the bus, all designed for their safety.

http://tinyurl.com/lqv92t6


A 62-year-old Burien man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the death April 1 of a 40-year-old motorcyclist from Tukwila.

Arraignment for Anthony Nathan Rudi-son is Thursday (April 17) at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Rudison also was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, for inju-ries suffered by two men in the accident, according to prosecutors.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Officer identified the victim as Lee A. Cor-nett.

The accident occurred just after 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Southwest 156th Street.

A second motorcyclist traveling behind the Cornett’s motorcycle suffered minor injuries from attempting to avoid the first collision, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.

Cornett died at the scene and Rudison suffered minor injuries. Investigators be-

lieve alcohol was a factor in the accident; after treatment at Highline Hospital, Rudi-son was booked for investigation of vehic-ular homicide.

According to prosecutors, Rudison and his nephew had been drinking beer at a house. They left, with Rudison driv-ing. Neighbors heard screeching tires as Rudison sped up a hill at twice the 25 mph speed limit, according to prosecutors.

Cornett’s motorcycle and Rudison’s ve-hicle collided at the top of the hill; Cornett suffered catastrophic injuries. His friend riding behind him crested the hill and his motorcycle went down in the crash debris, according to prosecutors.

Rudison has repeated driving under the influence convictions, according to pros-ecutors. Prosecutors requested bail of $250,000.

Detectives from the King County Sher-iff ’s Office Major Accident Response and Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and conducted the investigation.

Homicide charge in crash


tukwilasportsGo to tukwilareporter.com for more sports coverage


The Foster boys soccer team de-feated the last year’s Seamount champions, the Hazen Highland-ers, 3-1 on April 4 in one of its “best games” this season.

“This is one of the best games we’ve played so far,” said Coach Nasir Tura. “And I think if we keep playing the way we played today, that it will take us all the way to the state final.”

Going into spring break last week, the Bulldogs kept up the pace, beat-ing Renton 5-2 on April 7 and High-line 6-0.

Foster plays Lindbergh at 7:30 p.m. Friday (April 18) at Renton Me-morial Stadium in Renton.

Through last Friday, the Foster was 4-1-1 in league play. League-leader is Kennedy Catholic, 5-0, with one tie.

Tura is already looking to the fu-ture; two freshmen scored in the April 4 matchup against Hazen.

Freshman Jalal Haji (No. 9) kicked off the scoring in the first half; Haji has scored in all four Foster games to so far this season.

Haji played defense for about Tura

moved Haji to defense to help de-fend against the Hazen. “He was do-ing a great job the last 15 minutes,” Tura said.

Another freshman forward, De-sire Katamaya, (No. 2) caught Ha-zen’s goalkeeper off guard, scored Foster’s second goal scored Foster’s second goal, outrunning Hazen de-fender.

The final score was made by se-nior Mamadou Leigh (No. 10). “He’s a playmaker for us,” Tura said. After the score, he was swamped by team-mates.

After the game, Hazen Coach Ken Matthews walked over to the Foster boys and gave them a thumbs up.

Tura said Matthews was impressed with the team’s development from last year.

Success is coming by controlling the middle, Tura said, and keeping the ball on the ground.

“Our technique is to put the ball on the ground, move it around and let the ball do the job,” he said.

Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext. 5150.

Foster soccer marching through season


The Foster High School baseball team has set high expecta-tions for this year’s season, says Coach Eric Hall.

As of Thursday, the team’s Seamount League record was 3-3, which included a 9-6 win over Hazen on April 2.

“We were able to manage a win against Hazen, a program that usually beats up on us pretty badly,” said the third-year coach.

The team’s expectations have grown year by year, Hall said, and “in the three years that I have been here, this is the year we have the highest expectations.”

This year’s team is led by “a solid group of seniors,” includ-ing team captains Connor Forsyth and Yoshio Sanchez, both four-year varsity starters, Hall said, and “key members” of our pitching staff.

Sophomore David Em is “producing well offensively,” Hall said, including in a 30-4 victory over Renton High School April 4.

Junior Patrick Straight, who also plays football and basket-ball, “has been playing a great centerfield,” he said.

“Our program is moving in the right direction and we are excited to see what happens in the remainder of the season,” Hall said.

Foster plays Lindbergh at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (April 16) at Showalter Middle School and then league-leading Kennedy Catholic at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Kennedy.

High expectations for Foster baseball team

Senior Connor Forsyth, co-captain of the Foster baseball team, leans back from an inside pitch during the game against the Renton Indians April 4 that the Bulldogs won 30-4. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Foster’s No. 10 Mamadou Leigh, battles for the ball with Hazen’s Gino Malgarini during Foster’s 3-1 win over the Highlanders on April 4. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter.


Stories of Arrival“The Stories of Arrival” by Foster High School students will air each weekday at 6:55 p.m. throughout April (National Poetry Month) on KBCS radio 91.3 FM. To purchase an anthology contact district communications director Sara Niegowski, [email protected] or 206-901-8036. The suggested donation is $25.

A vision for schools The Tukwila School District is holding a second community meeting on its strategic plan, led by Superintendent Nancy Coogan. The meeting is 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at Tukwila Elementary, 5939 S. 149th St. Burmese and Somali interpreters will be available.

Beauty in the BeadsThe free Beauty in the Bead Show will bring thousands of strands of jewelry to the DoubleTree Suites, 16500 Southcenter Parkway, April 18-April 20.

Kindergarten signupThe Tukwila School District is registering for next school year’s kindergarten classes. To enroll in kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old or older on or before Aug. 31. The registration is 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Showalter Middle School, 4628 S. 144th St., Tukwila.

Parents Night OutHere’s a chance for parents to act like adults and let the Tukwila Community Center entertain the kids. Parents Night Out is May 2 and June 6, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. Cost for residents is $15. Kids get games, pizza and activities.

Th e 14th annual Back-yard Wildlife Festival at the Tukwila Community Cen-ter is Saturday, May 10.

It’s a free, all-day event to educate and inspire people to welcome wildlife – such as birds and butterfl ies – into their backyards, gar-dens and communities.

Th e event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila.

Th e event features pre-sentations from local ex-perts, including Ciscoe Morris and Marianne Bi-netti, along with a variety of educational exhibitors, arts and craft vendors and native plant sales.

Th ere is a Kids Gar-den Party area. A popular highlight of the festival is a guided bird tour which meanders along the Du-wamish River.

Here’s a tentative sched-ule:

• 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Arts and Craft s Marketplace, Educational • Exhibitor Booths and Native Plant Sales

• 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. – Kids Garden Party

• 9:30 a.m. – Guided Bird Tour along the Duwamish River

• 10:30 a.m. – Outdoor Stage: Marianne Binetti

• 11:30 a.m. – Outdoor Stage: Jessica Bloom

• Noon – Outdoor Stage: Marianne Binetti

• 1:30 p.m. – Outdoor Stage: Ciscoe Morris

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Th e Tukwila City Council has now authorized Mayor Jim Haggerton to buy all three motels on Tukwila Inter-national Boulevard seized last sum-mer in a massive raid.

Th e council on March 17 autho-rized Haggerton to spend $1.58 mil-lion for the Great Bear Motor Inn and about $1.1 million for the Boulevard Motel.

Council members had set a pur-chase price of $900,000 for the third motel, the Travelers Choice, in Janu-ary.

Th e money to buy the motels will come from the city’s General Fund and may require fi nancing, such as bonds, according to Derek Speck, Tukwila’s economic development di-rector.

Th e city is also considering the pur-chase of the Spruce Motel and Sam Smoke Shop, Speck said.

Th e City Council voted unani-

mously to buy the two motels, fol-lowing a closed executive session to discuss the purchases.

Before the council’s vote, council member Dennis Robertson said the sale follows a plan established more than a year ago to fi ght crime on Tuk-wila International Boulevard.

“Th is is a major step forward,” he said.

He pointed out the purchase cost is lower than what the city expected to pay without the seizures.

Th e three motels were seized in August by the federal government, following a search by hundreds of law-enforcement personnel. Th e mo-tels had been under investigation for about a year by the Tukwila Police Department and other agencies be-cause of criminal activity, including prostitution, drug deals and assaults.

Th e U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce is pros-ecuting the motels’ owners and one manager, who will face jail or prison time, plus forfeiture of assets.

Part of the purchase negotiations

includes liens held on the motels.Th e city is expecting to take owner-

ship of the three properties this sum-mer, if not sooner, Speck said. Th e city is making plans to redevelop the properties, which likely includes de-molition of the motels.

Speck indicated he plans to ask the City Council this summer to approve the criteria and process for selecting a developer, which would happen by year’s end. Th e city will sell the land to the developer.

“I doubt we will fi nd a developer who will pay enough to recover the entire purchase cost, since we are buying and closing businesses, not just buying vacant land,” he said.

By comparison, the city currently owns the land for Tukwila Village but has an agreement to sell it to the de-veloper when construction begins, he said.

Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext. 5150.

City to buy two TIB motels

Cellphone lot opens at Sea-TacA new larger cellphone waiting lot opened Tuesday,

April 1, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.Th e new lot will be located directly cross from the

South 170th Street exit of the Airport Expressway. Th e new cellphone lot will have 200 parking spaces,

70 more than the old lot on Air Cargo Road. Th e ini-tial opening will include 60 spaces until the remaining spaces open the following week aft er the completion of paving. In addition, the new lot will soon provide free WiFi to visitors, scheduled to be completed in May.

A new project on the site of the old cellphone lot is the reason for the move.

Th e Port of Seattle is investing over $35 million to build overnight parking spaces for aircraft .


school connectionAPRIL 2014Tukwila School District #406

schoolconnection

is presented by theTukwila School District

Tukwila School District #406

www.tukwila.wednet.edu 206.901.8000

4640 South 144th StreetTukwila, Washington 98168

Board of Directors:Mark Wahlstrom, President

206.243.9855Steve Mullet, Vice-President

206.244.7553Mary Fertakis 206.767.6053Dave Larson 206.244.2313

Alicia Waterton 206.248.4302

Superintendent:

Dr. Nancy Coogan 206.901.8006

Strategic plan community meeting: April 17

Your voice is critical

Kindergarten registration coming April 25 and 26

If you live in the Tukwila School District and your child will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2014, please plan on attending one of the upcoming kindergarten registration events:

• 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 25,at Showalter Middle School (4628 S. 144th St.)

• Or 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26at Showalter Middle School

You must bring: Your child (for a short assessment with a kindergar-ten teacher), proof of residency (such as an apartment lease, mortgage statement, or electricity, water, or sewer bill), your child’s birth certifi -cate, your child’s immunization records, and a picture of the parent or guardian (such as a driver’s license).

Interpreters will be available in Spanish, Somali, and Nepali both days. Interpreters will be available in Burmese and Vietnamese on April 26.

Questions? Call Kathleen Gantz, Program Coordinator for Family Sup-port, 206-901-8044.

Forget “The Cat in the Hat”—it’s all about the kids in the hats at Cascade View Elementary during March! First-grade teacher Pat DePrez annually honors the Dr. Seuss Reading Month by hand sewing red-and-white striped hats not only for her class but for ALL kindergarteners and fi rst-graders. That’s more than 300 hats!

Ms. DePrez’ classroom itself becomes a veritable Seussville. Along with Dr. Seuss decorations, the students take part in writing and science lessons such as predicting whether they will like green eggs and ham (and then testing that hypothesis). Of course, reading takes center stage during the festivities be-cause, as Dr. Seuss himself once said: “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Hundreds of community stake-holders—parents, students, educators, business owners, and civic leaders— have been working since fall to form a strategic plan that will shape the future of Tuk-wila schools. Now it’s your turn to weigh in! There will be a commu-nity meeting Thursday, April 17, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Tuk-wila Elementary, 5939 S. 149th St. Superintendent Nancy Coogan will lead a discussion about your goals and dreams for local stu-dents, and she will use your input to make sure the strategic plan

refl ects your priorities. If you cannot attend, we will

post the documents from the meetings and provide an online opportunity for feedback in late April at www.tukwila.wednet.edu.

Superintendent Coogan also welcomes the opportunity to come to you. She will meet with you and your community group wherever and whenever is most convenient and comfortable, whether in a faith-based, civic, or home environment. Call 206-901-8006 to schedule. She wants to make sure your voice is heard!

In early April, Offi cer Rusness (pictured) and other representatives of the Tukwila Police Department met with Foster High School civics stu-dents in a forum to promote mutual understanding. Students discussed how police authority often seems intimidating, and the offi cers shared information about how they do their work in the community. Both sides agreed that an open dialogue and ongoing relationships—such as that provided by School Resource Offi cer Lisa Harrison—are important. The forum was inspired by a seminar between the same students and city council members in the fall, during which the teens mentioned concerns about police interactions.


Tukwila School District #406 APRIL 2014

Congratulations to Cascade View reading champions!

Foster High student Boe Meh (right) recorded her Story of Arrival at Jack Straw Productions studio in Febru-ary with help from professional vocal coach Christine Marie Brown.

Tune in to local radio station to hear students’“Stories of Arrival”

Each weekday in April at 6:55 p.m. on KBSC 91.3 FM

Earlier this school year, Foster High School’s immi-grant students worked with a professional poet to write about their experiences com-ing to the United States. For many, this included leaving behind family, enduring refu-gee camps, and seeing life-and-death violence. For all, the journey has forced them to negotiate a new meaning of home, both physically and emotionally.

The students went to Jack Straw Studios in Seattle to record their poems in their own voice with assistance from vocal coaches. In honor of National Poetry Month, lo-cal radio station KBSC 91.3 FM air one of these poems every weekday in April at 6:55 p.m. Tune in to hear these incred-ibly powerful stories and get a much deeper sense of the struggles and joys that make up our immigrant students’ daily reality.

To purchase a bound anthology of the poems, along with a CD of the audio recordings, contact district communications director Sara Niegowski, [email protected] or 206-901-8036. The suggested donation is $25, and the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for the students.

A poetry excerpt from the anthology:

A Thousand TimesBy Cing Zam Lun

A thousand times!It’s still not enough whenI say it a thousand times.I miss my country, I miss my country.

I used to say “get out of my mind,”The sorrow that was inside of me.But I realize thatThe sorrow will never go awayBecause of what I have been through in my life, The soldiers killing peopleWith no reason.The blood, the blood fallingLike winter rain,The children hungry,Crying for food.

I used to say, “It’s just a sorrow dream,What I saw or heard in Burma.”Now I wonder, is it a dream or real life?Because where I belong is here.

Is it like a dreamThat I will never wake up from,That I am here in the United States, Where I feel that my lifeHas changed from beingA homeless girl to a Queen,Where I close the door on my sorrowAnd open the door of my delightful life.

Cascade View Elementary students proved their literary prowess in March by winning the 2014 West Region championship in King County Library’s Global Reading Challenge. Teams of fourth- and fi fth-graders from local schools square off in this annual Jeop-ardy-style contest to answer questions about 10 selected books.

The Cascade View team—the Over Power Readers—won at the district- and regional- level to move on to the county fi nals, where it earned the run-ner-up title. Starting in November, team members met once a week with coach Megan Brusnighan. Leading up to the

fi nals, they “began meeting every day during lunch to discuss information about the books,” Brusnighan said. “We also held classroom challenges in which the entire class got involved to prepare the team members.”

The championship Cascade View team included students:

• Brian Nguyen (Captain)• Nigara Akhmedova • Jayden Baker• Mai Hnein Hung• Anwar Kamal• Tommy Nguyen• Nang Sian Khual

Facebook’s the place: Ask questions, see what’s happening in schoolsConnect with the Tukwila School District on a social level—you will get critical information/alerts plus access to the day-to-day happenings in schools. Here’s where to fi nd us: www.facebook.com/tukwilaschools, www.twitter.com/tukwilaschools www.youtube.com/tukwilaschools, www.fl ickr.com/photos/tukwilaschools


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