Orca at Columbia
3528 S. Ferdinand
Seattle WA 98118
(206)252-6900
Principal: Ben Ostrom
Orca at Columbia
Elementary School
is vital member of the
Seattle Public Schools.
Orca at Columbia is a Powerful Schools partner in education.
Powerful Schools works with Rainier Valley Schools to support arts, mentoring, after school classes, tutoring, and writing experiences.
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Orca’s vision is one of an
active family of students, staff,
parents, and neighbors.
We hope you enjoy our
website and check back often.
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Please join us for the End of Year Celebration
West Playground
Thursday, June 21, 5-8pm
Build your own Taco Salad! Live Entertainment! Cowboyz Ice Cream! Special Historical Guest Speaker!
Please bring a dish to share that will go with Taco Salad or a dessert.
Lots of volunteer opportunities still available, especially for set up and clean up.
Please contact Monica Coulter monica.coulter@comcast.net or Carrie Boram carrie@boramink.com.
We hope to see you there. Thank you all so much!
Come Discuss Ideas for New Governance Practices at Orca
The K-8 Process Committee has been charged with evaluating Orca's decision-making process and coming up with structures and principles for decision-making that support the kind of staff-parent-student collaboration we value at Orca.
We will discuss ideas around modifying the roles of the PTA Board and Leadership team in decision-making by creating a combined body called the Leadership Council (or Site Council, or something else -- the name is up for grabs, as are many of the details.) We will also discuss some principles to guide decision-making at Orca.
The proposal is still a work in progress, and any changes to our governance practices obviously need to be discussed and approved by both the staff and the PTA before they go any further. Please join us on Thursday to join the discussion!
Will we have computers in our new library or for our 6th grade classes? Come to the Technology committee meeting and find out!
Join us this Wednesday evening, April 25 from 7:00-8:30p in Katherine’s classroom at Orca to learn the latest about upcoming technology plans for our new school, hear the result of a survey of Orca staff and help us work to get the tools we need to provide a collaborative learning environment that takes advantage of technology and the internet, like getting a new server.
Katherine will be sharing with us information about a new software application being developed in conjunction with Seattle Public Schools called Medley that Orca may have the opportunity to pilot.
Medley, and the current version is called L3RN (say learn), includes student portfolios, podcasting (video or audio), and Blogs. Their idea is almost identical to our goals of giving students the communication tools they currently employ and using those tools to leverage student learning. They would use this tool to create a space where authentic learning and alternative assessment can take place.
Also, come see some preliminary ideas we have regarding the re-design of the Orcapta.org website
Important Info about Childcare for the Orca Auction!
Childcare is included in the price of an auction ticket! Parents who have rsvp'ed for auction childcare can plan to drop their children at the First Base portable at Orca, between 4:45 and 5:30. Pick up will be from 9:00 to 9:30. Kids will be fed and activities provided! If you haven't rsvp'ed or have any questions, please contact Terri Lovins as soon as possible at tlovins@aol.com or at 722-6852.
'Community Conversations' with Seattle Public Schools Leaders:
The second in a series of community engagements has been scheduled (delayed from January due to the Superintendent Search public meetings). Our District leaders, including Superintendent Raj Manhas, Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno, and Chief Operating Officer Mark Green will provide information regarding progress to their strategic plan and academic vision and provide a question and answer opportunity with the community. Focus in this second conversation will be on academics and parent and community involvement. Interpreters, childcare, and light refreshments will be provided. Please encourage members of your school community to attend, and encourage them to prepare questions. A flyer for these events is attached as is a link to our website with the information (in case the attachment is unavailable) . These events are co-sponsored by Seattle Council PTSA. The dates are as follows:
Thursday, March 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Brighton Elementary School, 6725 45th Avenue S.
Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Roosevelt High School, 1410 NE 66th Street
[ Download/View File ]
Seattle Council PTSA General Meeting, 3/26 7:00pm @ the John Stanford Center Auditorium:
The topic will be a presentation and discussion of the changes to the budget allocation method currently used within our District. Under consideration is a change from Weighted Student Formula (WSF) to a Staffing Based Model that is in use in other Districts. Our guests will include Carla Santorno (Chief Academic Officer), Art Jarvis (Director of Finance), Michael DeBell (School Board Director), Duggan Harmon and Linda Sebring (both of whom are leading this activity within the District). It is important that at least one officer from your PTA and a guest from the BLT attend this meeting so that you can learn first hand what is happening and how it may affect your school.
[ Visit Website ]
Alternative Education Policy Discussion, March 29
At the request of a number of parents, there will be special meeting to diccuss and clarify the District's Alternative Education Policy (C54.00), on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at Orca Elementary. Special members of the Seattle School District have been invited to answer questions regarding the district policy on alternative education (you can see the policy posted on our Web site under Academics & Programs - Alternative Education.
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