Highline Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield Announces Plan to Fund Full-Day Kindergarten at All Highline Schools
Highline Public Schools will fund tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all schools starting this fall, regardless of the amount the state legislature allocates to full-day kindergarten.
State lawmakers are currently debating over budget plans with varying levels of kindergarten funding. Each of the three plans would fund full-day kindergarten at some, but not all, schools in Highline.
“We cannot wait for the legislature to act. Full-day kindergarten is the right thing to do for all our children and families now,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “This is a game-changer for our students.”
Full-day kindergarten is a key strategy for meeting the district goal of 95 percent of next fall’s kindergartners performing at or above grade level in all core subjects by the end of Grade 3. Multiple studies show that children who participate in full-day kindergarten make significant gains in reading and math compared with students in half-day programs. Research also shows that mastering reading and math skills by third grade is critical for success throughout middle and high school.
“Kindergarten is a critical year. It sets the stage for a child’s entire school experience,” said Highline’s P-3 Director Anne Arnold, who directs early learning (preschool through grade 3) programs. (more…)
Burien Keller Williams Reality Team Cleans Up Burien C.A.R.E.S. for Red Day
Early this May Burien Keller Williams Reality team took a break from the office to spend a day helping out local non-profit and Burien animal control organization, Burien C.A.R.E.S. (Community Animal Rescue and Education Society) at their facility just north of Olde Burien for RED Day.
Over 15 members of the Keller Williams team spent RED Day cleaning, painting, weeding and sweeping. The group purchased plants from vendors at the Burien Farmers Market happening on the same day and installed new planters in front of the facility. Laminate flooring in areas of the building that had previously been unusable, were scraped up and prepped for refinish and sealing. Rescued dogs were walked and cat kennels cleaned. Finally, a project that had been put on hold since CARES first opened their facility, an outdoor dog run behind the building, was started by the team by removing old asphalt and gravel, leveling the ground, and laying the foundation for a brick wall that will act as the base for a chain-link fence.
Rodolfo Hernandez McIntyre, Keller Williams agent, had this to say about the event “This Year our Keller Williams office has choosen Burien CARES as a recipient for our Red Day. Burien CARES is a local nonprofit pet shelter with a mission to encourage responsible pet ownership and protect the health, safety, and welfare of people and animals in Burien, they have a great need for developing a new section for the rescued dogs.” (more…)Former Burien City Council Candidate Len Boscarine Explains Withdrawal From 2013 Election
The following letter was sent to Burien Daily by former Burien City Council Candidate, Len Boscarine on May 21, 2013. Boscarine withdrew from the 2013 race the Monday after filing for position #5 against former Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Planning Commissioner Nancy Tosta. Because Len withdrew from the election, Council Member Clark and Commissioner Tosta will be the only candidates not to face a primary election and will thus move onto the November general election.
“I want to thank the buriendaily.com for giving me this opportunity to comment about why I withdrew from the Burien City Council election. Also, I want to thank the friends and neighbors who encouraged me to run for the Council. It is always flattering to have citizens and friends tell you that you would be the right person to serve the city and their rights and interests in the city.
I decided to file for this election because until late Friday it looked like Rose Clark was going to run unopposed for the Burien City Council. I feel very strongly that new blood is needed on the Burien City Council.
Burien now has a situation in which the majority of the city council members have taken control of our city’s government and they have promoted some financially ill advised ventures such as the annexation of Area Y/White Center and spending into the city’s cash reserves.
Several citizens, and even some minority council members, have called for citizens’ advisory votes on such issues. The “Gang of Four” that holds the majority on the council have repeatedly said that they will not allow citizens’ advisory votes on the critical issues confronting the city.
When I saw that Nancy Tosta was running for the same position as I had filed for, I was delighted. Even though it would have been an honor to represent the citizens of Burien, I feel that Nancy is an even better candidate for this Council position. She and I share many of the same ideas and goals for the City and the Council. I hardly endorse Nancy Tosta for Council Position # 5. (more…)
Employees of Burien Albertson’s to be Honored by Burien Police and City Council for Thwarting Child Abduction
The following public notice was sent to Burien Daily by Sargent Cindi West of the King County Sheriffs Department. To read more about the insident these Albertson’s employees are being honored for, see our publication from October, 2012.
On September 29th, of last year, a suspect accosted and attempted to abduct a 10 year old child at the Albertson’s at South 128th Street and 1st Avenue South in Burien.
Albertson’s employees, becoming aware of a commotion, intervened and successfully rescued the child and after a struggle, detained the suspect pending the arrival of the police.
On May 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer will honor the employee’s with the King County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Award. The Meritorious Service Award is the Sheriff’s Office 7th highest award conferred on an individual or group who demonstrate extremely meritorious dedication.
Please join Chief Kimerer and the Burien City Council when they acknowledge these very deserving citizens. (more…)
Lake Burien Resident, Steve Armstong, Announces Candidacy for Burien City Council Position #7
The following letter of candidacy was released by Steve Armstrong on May 17, 2013. Armstrong has filed to run in the King County Primary Election against Planning Commissioner Joey Martinez and Olde Burien resident Chuck Rangel for Burien City Council position #7 which is currently held by Mayor Brian Bennett. You can find more information about upcoming election here.
Hello my name is Steve Armstrong and I am running for Burien City Council / Position 7. I’ve lived in Burien for over 40 years. Attended Shorewood Elementary, Cascade Middle School, Evergreen High and the University of Washington. My children, Alex and Elena, attended local schools – St. Francis, Highline and JFK. I am currently employed by The Boeing Company (32 years) specializing in Contracts. My hobbies include: hiking, mountain climbing, fly fishing, tennis, volleyball and spending time with my family and friends.
I’m running for city council because I believe it’s time for a change and that I can help initiate this change. It appears that some Council members and the City Manager have lost touch with the citizens of Burien. Recent evaluations from the City Council are mixed as to whether the City Manager is performing to expectations. Council members do not (or will not) work together. This condition must change.
There has been a complete disregard for the voice of the people. An example is the attempt to annex Area Y. My aversion to annexation is based solely on economics and the best interests for all. Seattle, with a huge revenue / tax base, found it impractical to annex at the time. Why would our City Manager and some Council members believe that annexation was in the best interest and would enrich the lives of those living in Area Y as well as Burien? (more…)
Bill Tracy, Southwest Suburban Sewer District Commissioner, Announces Re-Election Campaign
Commissioner Bill Tracy, currently president of the Southwest Suburban Sewer District Board of Commissioners, has announced he will seek re-election to his board position this year.
Commissioner Tracy has worked diligently over the years to achieve reduced rates for those on fixed and/or low income, to bring timely rehabilitation to both the aging conveyance system and treatment plants, and to the maintenance of a quality system and responsive customer service all the while keeping the rates among the lowest in our area.
Much of this has happened through his selection and appointment of a cohesive team of commissioners and the hiring of highly qualified management. Both of the current commissioners have since been elected to office.
Commissioner Tracy has also been recognized regionally where he has repeatedly been selected by industry peers to serve on the King County Regional Water Quality Committee. The State Association of Sewer and Water Districts has also formally recognized his years of leadership.
Joey Martinez Officially Announces Campaign For Burien City Council – Asks For Support in “Building a Better Burien”
33 year old Burien Resident Joey Martinez has filed for Burien City Council seat number 7. The seat is currently filled by Brian Bennett, who has decided not to run for re-election. Bennett has endorsed Martinez for the seat.
Martinez has been married since 1999 to Jackie Martinez and has two boys, both of whom attend Highline Public Schools. Martinez has volunteered for both of his boys sports teams in one way or another all their lives. He’s spent the last two years volunteering with the Burien Bearcats, first as an assistant coach then as the Head Coach for one of the teams.
Martinez has worked for Seattle City Light since 2007 and was recently promoted as supervisor to a new business unit within City Light IT. Martinez has also worked for the city of Auburn from 2001-2005.
Martinez was born in East Los Angeles, California and is a 1st generation Mexican-American on his mother’s side and 3rd generation on his fathers side. Joey is fluent in both English and Spanish, and Spanish is actually his first language.
Says Joey, “I am looking forward to working with you to Build a better Burien! Together, we can accomplish much if we stick together. My life experience as a father has taught me to be firm and patient, as a husband to listen and care, as a son to always work to improve myself, and as a friend to always be there. As a Burien Planning Commissioner I have also learned to think 20 years into the future and have come to see that actions taken today can impact us for generations. (more…)
Burien Mayor Brian Bennett Announces He Will Not Run For Reelection – Endorses Joey Martinez for Seat
At the 34th District Democrats meeting and candidate forum held Wednesday, May 8th, at the Fauntleroy Hall in West Seattle, Joey Martinez announced that he will be running for Burien City Council seat #7, the seat currently held by Mayor Brian Bennett, in the coming 2013 Burien City Council elections.
In an interview with Mayor Brian Bennett following the Burien candidates’ forum, he stated that he made the decision with his family not to run. “Joey is a strong candidate and I believe he will make a great City Council Member for Residents of Burien.”