I picked up some paperback books and, while putting them in my trunk, Brooke passed out in front of the parked car, hitting her head on the asphault. This was the fourth such occurrence in three weeks, all without warning. I had kept Brooke home from school – she’s a Kentwood student – the previous two days and kept her by my side every minute…except for those fateful minutes when she fell in the parking lot.

The caring staff and volunteers from First American Title rushed into action as soon as they saw her fall. One of the volunteers called 9-1-1. Another gathered blankets and pillows to comfort Brooke. A third got warm water and clothes to wash Brooke’s face, as we waited for the ambulance to arrive. The EMTs were just minutes away and were on the scene quickly. They took over, but the First American Title gals and their families stayed by our sides ready to help, offering comfort and concern.

That was a scary day for my family, but the help and kindness offered by Trasie Willis, Rachel Major, Marilyn Brown and other volunteers and their families was so comforting. At one point, I started to break down because I was afraid for my daughter. Trasie came over and hugged me until I stopped crying, a heartwarming courtesy for someone she’d never met before.

It has been three weeks since that fall, and Brooke is doing fine. She’s been to several doctors, clinics and specialists since her fall and we still don’t have answers but, thankfully, all of her test results were normal. She’s handled this whole situation with wisdom beyond her years, and she and I both feel blessed at the kindness of strangers…particularly in this day and age when it seems people are so busy with their own lives that they don’t always take time to care.

Trasie and her co-workers and friends reminded me that the kindness of strangers is a wonderful blessing. I will be pay it forward if I’m ever in a similar situation!

Thank you, Trasie and crew, for helping us through a difficult time. You are angels!

Sincerely,

Dana Neuts

May 5, 2010

Dear Dr. Vargus, Kent School Board Members, Mayor Cooke,

After School sporting activities are of an utmost importance to our children and our community of Kent.

The Afterschool Alliance’s recent examination of multiple studies of after-school program impact found solid evidence that:

• After-school programs keep children and youth safe and protect them from negative and unsafe behaviors.
• After school programs help working parents.

After-school activities help youth develop social skills, improve academic performance, and help them build strong supportive relationships with adults other than their parents. Young children benefit especially from the social skills development and improved academic skills. This leads to improved conflict management and better school attendance. Middle-school aged youth who continue to participate in after-school activities are more likely to be engaged in school and attentive in class and less likely to be involved in violent behavior at school.

Participation in after-school activities continues to be a benefit for students right through high school. Adolescents in after-school programs are optimistic for the future and have more interest in school than peers who are unsupervised after school. After-school program participation also helps to keep youth from skipping school and experimenting with alcohol, drugs and sexual activity.

In fact, the 1995 Westat, Inc. analysis of national data found that students who spend no time in after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to have used drugs and 37 percent more likely to become teen parents than students who spend one to four hours per week in after-school activities. After-school programs prevent pregnancy by promoting sound judgment, offering health education, and providing positive alternatives to sexual activity according to “Child Trends Research Brief,” May 2002.

Furthermore, if youth stay involved in after-school activities through adolescence, they are more likely to attend college, vote and volunteer as adults according to Zaff and Moore, et al. in the “Journal of Adolescent Research,” in 2003.

There are two reasons that after-school activities have these positive benefits for adolescents.

First, adolescents need guidance to grow into productive adulthood and after school programs and activities keep youth busy between 2 and 6 p.m., the times when adolescents are most likely to commit crimes, be crime victims, or participate in sexual activity.

Second, after school programs can provide extra time for career exploration, skill development, service learning and internships to prepare them for college and work.

It is estimated that every dollar spent on after school programs will save taxpayers $3 because of reductions in youth crime, teen parenthood and school dropout rates.

This estimate is based on studies done across the country including Alabama, California, and Washington D.C. This cost benefit is in addition to the life-long love of learning, improved level of education, and contributions in civic life that results from participation in after-school programs and activities.

Furthermore, by eliminating Fastpitch Softball from the available sports selection, you discriminate against girls who are not physically capable of performing at the physical rigors required with gymnastics, the height and coordination required with volleyball and basketball.

There is no way to train a girl who is physically limited by speed or height to run a fast thirty yard dash in track.

I as a parent feel that the Kent School District and the School Board has failed the community with this decision concerning middle and high school sports.

The ramifications of such will become apparent in the not too distant future. I hope for the childrens sake the consequences are not as negative as have been in other districts who have drifted down this path forsaking the children.

Sincerely,

Jesse Emery
21121 124th Ave. S.E.
Kent, Wa 98031
(253)852-2666

Letter to the Editor, from Darren Motamedy:

Dear Editor,

I love my community of Kent Washington.  I have lived in Kent for over 40 years, and attest to the strength of our schools, not only because I attended Panther Lake Elementary, Meeker Junior High School, and Kentridge High School, but because today I am an educator in the Kent School District.  On February 9^th, we are going to vote on two critical propositions, proposition one and two.  http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/cr/2010levy/web/index.html The purpose of these levies will be to “maintain” the current status of education for our children at our current tax rate!  By voting yes, we will continue to ensure that our students are technologically savvy in the 21^st century.  By voting yes, we will ensure that our students will continue to have “clean and well maintained classrooms”, after school sports programs, music programs, safety officers, and a highly trained teaching staff that is preparing our students to become our future leaders!

I appreciate what the Kent School District offered me when I was a student.  My teachers taught me the importance of hard work, knowledge, dedication, and the high ideals of contributing back to the society that raised me.  Today, I am a band director in the Kent School District because of the ideals that my teachers instilled upon me.  I see those ideals being met every day in the classroom by observing my colleagues.

I see teachers tirelessly and lovingly instructing students every day.  I see teachers continuing their personal education by taking college classes, master classes, professional certification classes, and national board class to ensure that they are acquainted with the newest teaching techniques available to help their students.  I see teachers helping disadvantaged students by opening their checkbooks to pay for clothing, food, school supplies, and school camps.  Why?  Because they care about the future of our community!

By voting yes on February 9^th, we are adopting the district motto to “Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future”. Voting yes on February 9^th will ensure our teachers have the tools necessary to “Prepare All Students For Their Future”.  The School Administration, Teachers, and School Board in Kent are united in our quest to build our community, student by student, classroom by classroom, school by school.  Yes means quality education for our children of Kent!  Yes means a positive future for Kent!

Sincerely,

Darren Motamedy

Darren Motamedy teaches 5^th and 6^th Grade Band in Kent and was the 2008 teacher of the year in Kent, as well as  the KCTS Golden Apple Recipient for 2009.

My vote for best neighborhood in Kent:  Chancellor Crest off of 132nd, between 240th and 248th Streets. Starting with Kensington High, these neighborhoods are very colorful and festive. If you plan on going on your own holiday lights tour, don’t miss this neighborhood.

Also, check out the lights at Town Square Plaza (2nd and Harrison) in downtown Kent and “Alpaca Road” (aka 240th St. between 132nd and 160th).

Does your neighborhood have a particularly interesting display? Post the neighborhood or address here, and we’ll check them out!

Happy Holidays!

~ From the iLoveKent.net family to yours

DECEMBER, 2009 KCF PRESIDENT’S REPORT

This month I would like to talk about a program coming up on December 8 & 9 at the Kent Commons. This is the “Game of Life: Attitudes and Choices,” a set of workshops under the auspices of the Kent Police Youth Board which partnered with the Foundation earlier this year for fund raising.

The workshops for the youth include nutrition, underage drinking, relationships, sexual harassment, marijuana use, crisis intervention, financial responsibility, prescription drug abuse, leadership, diversity, relationships with the police, domestic violance, gangs, teen parenting and stress management

Interested Chamber members are invited to monitor any of these sessions during the mornings of December 8 or 9 or the closing celebration from 12:45 to 2:00.

If you or your business would be interested in contributing to future programs like this, you can send those contributions to the Foundation at the Chamber office. They should be made out to the Kent Community Foundation and marked for the “Game of Life/Youth Board.” Monies collected will be used to award grants to these programs

A very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year to all from the Foundation board members.

Jim McGinnis

Yesterday The Seattle Times endorsed Mayor Suzette Cooke in the Cooke vs. Berrios mayor’s race in the upcoming election, citing her experience and track record as just two of the reasons Kent residents should give her their vote next month.

The editorial column begins, “Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke has earned the Times endorsement with her leadership during her tenure, including reducing crime and empowering neighborhoods. As mayor and former state lawmaker, she is best position her to respond to the risk of flooding caused by the damaged Howard Hanson dam…”

Click here to read the complete column as published on The Seattle Times’ website.

Because I work in a home office and I am sheltered from what’s going on in terms of water cooler talk and local gossip, I am always surprised to hear when candidates – or their volunteers – are behaving badly. Last week, for example, word was sent to me that the upcoming mayoral election between incumbent Mayor Suzette Cooke and opponent Jim Berrios is heating up.There are also two contested city council races that could turn contentious.

One side claims the other has started a phone calling campaign to bash the opposition. I’ve also heard that candidates are posturing and otherwise behaving differently than they would in a non-election year, and I’ve seen campaign signs from both signs vandalized, pulled out of the ground or removed altogether.

Regardless of who is behind this behavior, I find it appalling. We are all adults and capable of standing behind our record of achievements, our promises for the future and our commitment to the community. Why, then, must we resort to childish tactics to get noticed or to smear an opponent? Rather than getting me to dislike a smeared opponent, I am more likely to rally against the one who is having the public temper tantrum. That’s not the type of candidate I want to see in office. How about you?

~ Dana Neuts, publisher, iLoveKent.net

Last Saturday my husband and I attended the pre-season opener between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips (that’s hockey for those who don’t follow the sport). I was disappointed in the small community turnout (maybe 300 attendees), but we had a great time watching the game and cheering on our TBirds. The venue was beautiful and our seats were great (Thanks, Libby!), so we had fun.

After hearing the buzz about the TBirds and Silvertips season opener last night, I knew I had to go to the game. Jim was working, so I took my teen daughter to the game after she announced, “I love hockey!” Despite my disbelief, I took her to the game and we were thrilled to see the great turnout. The house wasn’t packed, but the majority of the seats were filled and the community spirit was in the air. We participated in the chuck-a-puck contest and the 50/50 drawing. We didn’t win either, but had a good time trying.

It helped the mood, of course, that the TBirds won 4 to 3, but it was the atmosphere and camaraderie we most enjoyed. It was fun to cheer on our team and, quite frankly, to watch the fans…the disinterested, the die-hards, the Tweeters among us and more. Read the full run down of the game here.

There are 36 home games this season. If you have the chance, I hope you’ll go out to the ShoWare Center to support the team. It is a fun, affordable night out for the whole family…and so close to home!

Go TBirds – you rock!!!

As a parent of a new freshman at Kentwood High School, I am frustrated at the continued teachers’ strike for many reasons, but mostly because I want my daughter back in school. She’s had a great summer, has grown and matured in many ways, and she’s ready to get back to the business of learning, growing and changing. That includes returning to school. Alas, it isn’t that easy if you have kids in the Kent School District. The teachers voted to strike on August 26, delaying the first day of school indefinitely.

Originally scheduled to go back on August 31, we finished our back-to-school clothes and supplies shopping in mid-August. We did haircuts, room cleaning and laundry catch-up; my daughter even practiced waking up early to ensure she wouldn’t miss her 6:55 am bus. We even had a going-back-to-school lunch with another mom and her teen daughters to celebrate the start of school! It is now September 8, and we have no teachers, no school, and no bus. Parents are anxious to return to work or at least to their regular schedules, and kids want to go back to school but it is out of our hands.

Based on what I’ve read and heard, I support the Kent teachers and their arguments and reasons for going on strike. Classroom size and time with students are critical components to a good education, and I admire the teachers for standing up for their personal beliefs at all costs. The KSD, on the other hand, is trying to force the teachers back without an agreement, essentially stripping the teachers of their bargaining power.

At the same time, I see people all around me without jobs and I wonder why we can’t find some sort of compromise. Since that hasn’t yet occurred, I’m asking myself and fellow parents why this negotiation process is so difficult. Is it the mediation team who can’t iron out the details or the parties involved? Is KSD digging in its heels and throwing its weight around, or are the teachers making negotiations difficult? It feels like there other issues that haven’t been publicly disclosed, but if that’s the case, what are they? What are we missing? Did some union rep push for a controversial strike this year, or perhaps the KSD decided that its new administration had to take a hard line?

Without a dedicated media source or unbiased third party involved to focus on and investigate the inside story, it is hard to identify ALL of the REAL issues in this Kent teachers’ strike. Instead, we only hear what each of the two sides chooses to disseminate, and we are left to wonder what’s really going on and when a resolution will be reached. In the meantime, the students are the ones suffering.

Let’s get this strike resolved and get our kids back in school. That’s who we’re fighting for, isn’t it?

For frequent visitors to iLoveKent.net, I apologize for not having more coverage here about the KSD teachers’ strike.  I am at a journalism conference and learned of the news via text message fr0m my teenage daughter. Since then, I’ve been trying to learn ab0ut this issues and, honestly, I don’t think the media is giving the strike – or the items at stake – much play. I’ve been hard pressed to see any unbiased online forum or site which discusses the issues candidly and fairly.

As we all know there are at least two sides to every story and, in this case, there are likely to be as many perspectives as there are items 0n the negotiation table. Parents, students, teachers, the city of Kent, and KSD will all view things differently. The bottom line, however, is that we all want the same things….teachers to feel valued and to be compensated fairly and for students to get back t0 class. There are, of course,  many other issues to consider (class size, prep time, days off, budget c0nstraints), but the goal remains the same.

If you have an update 0r an 0pinion on the subject, post your comments or news here. Let’s start a dialogue to see how we as a c0mmunity can work together to make the m0st of this situation.

In the meantime, here are some links to other places you can go for info. (NOTE:  a number 0f the Google video links I clicked on after a search if the Kent School District strike were bogus, so d0n’t click on any links from sources you don’t know or trust.)

Kent School District

KSD Budget and Negotiation Info

Kent Education Assoc. Blog

Kent Education Assoc

Associated Content