Attack of the Moles!
I wish this was some bad movie title, but it isn’t. My backyard is looking like an adolescent boy’s face, with mini craters popping up everywhere.
Do you wonder who your neighbors are?
Complex social problems, such as violence and homelessness continue to challenge us. Our valley communities are being threatened with the possibility of a flood from the Green River. We are in the throes of the biggest economic recession in half a century. Yet in spite of these hardships, there is still a valued commitment going strong in our communities: volunteer service.
After more than three years of publishing a newspaper twice a week, the winds of destiny are blowing the Kent Reporter on a slightly different course.
For nearly 40 years, Kent Youth and Family Services has been a safety net for local kids and families who might otherwise slip through the cracks.
As school directors charged with ensuring our students are prepared college and careers, we are actively watching the Race to the Top legislation in the state Senate and House (SB 6696, HB 3035, HB 3038 and HB 3059). We applaud the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the State Board of Education, and the many legislators who are deeply committed to this effort. The goals of the Obama Administration’s $4.35 billion Race to the Top grant -- effective teachers and principals, turning around low-performing schools, better data systems and higher standards –- not only call for the right reforms at the right time, they will help us accelerate the achievement of every student.
There was a resounding message this week during an educational summit at Kent-Meridian, and even if you’re not a teacher, it bears repeating.
In fact, it’s probably better you’re not a teacher. You need to be a parent to truly appreciate it.
The point was this: schools may be educating your child, but that doesn’t mean they’re in charge.
I read your article in the Kent Reporter about how much money was lost by ShoWare Event Center in 2009 and wanted to share some additional information that isn’t usually thought about.
Twenty-Four-seven news coverage has created a need for constant news stories that are interesting and video-friendly, and crime stories often fit the bill. Local newspaper crime stories are sometimes viewed by readers through the same TV prism, even when the newspaper is factual rather than sensationalistic or lurid.
If there was ever a time to vote to help local kids, this is it.
The Kent School District is about to see the end of two critical funding measures: a maintenance and operations levy, and a technology levy.
I don’t know whether to be excited about this foray into easy money or not. I have won nothing - nada - in any random contest.
Come to think of it, I haven’t won much in the non-random contests, either.
I love 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 School, Meeker Junior High School, and Kentridge High School, but because today I am an educator in the Kent School District.
I haven’t done a column since before Officer Brenton was murdered in Seattle, which of course was followed by the murder of four Lakewood officers and then the death of Deputy Mundell in Pierce County.
I have avoided writing anything about the events of the past two months because I don’t have anything profound or illuminating to say, and anything less would be trite.
If you’ve been watching our front page recently (or our inside pages, too, for that matter) you may be amazed at the volume of crime stories we’ve been covering.
Feb. 9, 2010 will be the day of reckoning. Do we stand behind the improvement of our schools and show our support by voting for the two new replacement levy proposals or not?
I vote yes.
If there is one thing about Kent I’ve come to appreciate, it’s the diversity.
We have more than 100 languages spoken in our schools here. Kent-Meridian High School, where my daughter goes, is predominantly ethnic.
I Love Kent, and I go days really wondering why. The traffic coming down from the East Hill on Smith or James in the morning leaves me questioning.
The last couple of weeks have been tough ones for students and staff at Kent-Meridian High School.
First there was the report, and subsequent arrest, of a suspect in a trail-grabbing incident involving a K-M student who had been on her way to school.
The Washington state Legislature convenes Monday, Jan. 11. Its members face a daunting task the state's projected deficit is $2.6 billion.
