“Having our students involved in FIRST is not just about increasing educational opportunities in science and technology; but instilling well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication and leadership,” said Koji Yugawa, lead mentor. “jcpenney’s sponsorship represents a commitment to building the future leaders of tomorrow by making youth participation in FIRST possible.”

jcpenney’s sponsorship of 900 FIRST teams this season reinforces the company’s philanthropic goal to introduce FIRST to more schools and communities throughout theU.S. and encourage greater participation among minority and female students. jcpenney’s legacy of working with national youth organizations through its signature charity, jcpenney afterschool, helps make it possible for more students to become involved in life-enriching learning opportunities during the after school hours.

Schools, communities and government acknowledge the need to improve the country’s global economic competitiveness by increasing aptitudes in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among America’s youth. Studies show that FIRST students are three times more likely to major in engineering in college, 10 times as likely to have an apprenticeship their freshman year, more than twice as likely to pursue a science or technology career, and nearly four times as likely to pursue a career in engineering.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism^™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

“I am saddened to receive this notice, but understand Amalia has to do what is in the best interest of her family at this time,” said School Board President Paul Mills.  “While Amalia led the District, she kept the Board briefed of her family situation in California and her decision to take a family medical leave was not a surprise to us.  I think most people can appreciate how difficult it can be to help a parent with medical issues and we support her decision.”

During Cudeiro’s medical leave, Assistant Superintendent Eva Collins has served as Interim Superintendent.   Collins has agreed to continue as Interim Superintendent while the Board discusses a next step.

After studying job data and trends, College officials recognized explosive job growth related to the ongoing computerization of medical records and sought to develop an educational program to help graduates land well-paying careers in the field. According to estimates by the American Medical Informatics Association, it will take as many as 200,000 workers to satisfy the projected job market demand, with thousands of positions in Washington State alone.

Graduates of the program can expect to find positions in anything from large hospitals to small physicians’ offices, developing and managing systems to record the vast amounts of electronic health information. The first classes are set to begin fall quarter, September 2012. The college expects to enroll 45 students in the first year, with annual enrollments growing to 90 students by year four.

“This new degree program is another example of how Bellevue College is educating people for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Dr. Kevin McCarthy, dean of Bellevue College’s Health Sciences, Education & Wellness Institute. “We did a lot of homework to identify a field that is going to be in-demand for many years to come. Our efforts are helping residents of our state gain access to affordable education so they can get jobs and progress in their fields, enabling them to better support themselves and their families.” 

The program completed the approval process on Jan. 23 when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) gave its authorization. It joins two other four-year degrees currently offered at BC: a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences.

Community colleges like BC have typically offered only two-year degrees and certificates. However, a study by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2008 concluded that existing universities could not provide enough graduates with bachelor’s degrees to meet the employment needs of companies and organizations here in Washington. Although no specific plans have been finalized, BC officials are currently studying options for creating additional bachelor’s degree programs in the future.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 students each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year baccalaureate degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

The funds will support the new Marlene “Malka” Fricks Scholarship Fund, to support students in Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design (BTAD) program.

A resident of Woodinville at the time of her death in 2011 at the age of 76, Fricks dedicated her life to education, spending a good portion of her career at the Lake Washington School District teaching Spanish and Health and working as a junior and high school counselor. She also served on Woodinville’s original Public Arts Advisory Committee.

The recent gift is the second distribution from Fricks’ estate. In 2011, the Foundation received $75,000, which established the Marlene “Malka” Fricks Scholarship Fund. Four students received scholarships from this fund in 2011. The Fund will continue to provide scholarships for students in this new baccalaureate degree program for many years into the future.

“Education and the arts were deep passions of Ms. Fricks. We are pleased to be able to create this scholarship fund in her honor to help students reaching for their dreams in applied design,” said Foundation Executive Director Laurie Austin. “With college costs rising, financial aid applications increasing and funding dwindling, students struggle to stay in school. Bequests and other planned gifts such as this are invaluable to providing scholarships, and supporting our students and programs.”

To learn more about the Foundation, apply for scholarships, or plan a donation to the Foundation, please visit www.lwtech.edu/foundationgiving.

The Lake Washington College Foundation is as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation separate from Lake Washington Institute of Technology. A board of directors meets regularly to oversee the activities of the Foundation, review financial reports, designate scholarship and other support for the colleges, and assist with fundraising.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is a broad-based polytechnic college offering instruction in 36 programs toward a spectrum of more than 100 bachelor and associate level degrees and certificates designed to give students the latest cutting edge skills relevant to today’s workplace. Founded in 1949, LWIT offers hands-on, real-world training in manufacturing, transportation, energy, business, allied health, computer and information systems, food and hospitality, and health and fitness. 

New this year, ParentMap will provide complimentary 10-minute information sessions with an American Camp Association representative to event attendees who pre-register online (parentmap.com/campfair). This is an opportunity for parents to ask questions of a camp specialist, free of charge. The American Camp Association (formerly known as the American Camping Association) is a community of camp professionals who, for 100 years, have joined together to share knowledge and experience with the community, and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of their diverse 9,000 plus membership and exceptional programming, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else. Learn more: acacamps.org

RSVP to win! 

Those who RSVP and attend CampFair will be entered-to-win one FREE week of traditional Camp Orkila (valued at $949) orColeman (valued at $679), courtesy of the YMCA. Note: must attend event to be eligible to win.

About Camps Orkila and Coleman

With more than 100 years of experience each, Camps Orkila and Colman make overnight camp an amazing experience for all ages. Located on the northwest tip of Orcas Island,YMCA Camp Orkila has been beckoning kids and teens since 1906.  With 280 acres of private beach, pristine forest, and open fields, there’s plenty of space for an incredible array of programs.  YMCA Camp Colman has givenkids a rich environment to learn about themselves and their surroundings since 1912. With its gorgeous setting on Case Inlet in lower Puget Sound, Camp Colman offers a saltwater lagoon, 100 acres of dense forest, and an endless supply of opportunities for growth. Learn more:

For more event information about CampFair and to RSVP, visit parentmap.com/campfair. For a complete list of participating camp organizations, visit: parentmap.com/article/seattleeastside-campfair-participants

American Sentinel University’s new paper, ‘GIS Sixth Sense: Mapping Your Career with a Higher Degree of Analytical Skill,’ is now available for download at http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/2011/12/28/gis-sixth-sense-white-paper/.

GIS Sixth Sense: Mapping Your Career with a Higher Degree of Analytical Skill is a must-read for GIS professionals that want to master the ‘Sixth Sense’ and learn why it can substantially benefits their careers.

Readers will gain important career insight about the following topics:

-Why individuals with the GIS ‘Sixth Sense’ are more valuable to the team

-Five skills that can bolster a successful career

-How GIS can be used for business solutions

-Job markets that are looking for GIS experts

-Why education plays a significant role in success

“GIS technicians are not solely mapmakers and readers, they are purveyors and contributors of information used to predict and overcome business and social challenges,” says Devon Cancilla, Ph.D., dean, business and technology at American Sentinel University.  “GIS professionals who have the ability to combine GIS technology and business expertise – the sixth sense – will help organizations innovate new ways to make accurate business decisions and make them even more valuable to the team.”

A bachelor’s degree in geographic information systems can significantly improve an individual’s career potential and prepares student’s to take on more professional, team or managerial responsibility. A degree in GIS also helps increase awareness about how GIS can be used for more than just data tracking and helps students map out a career with never-ending possibilities.

Download American Sentinel’s New Paper to Learn How the GIS Sixth Sense Can Bolster a Successful GIS Career

The free, seven-page paper, GIS Sixth Sense: Mapping Your Career with a Higher Degree of Analytical Skill, is now available for download at http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/2011/12/28/gis-sixth-sense-white-paper and offers insightful tips about skills every GIS professional needs to know to be successful in their careers.

Learn More About American Sentinel University’s GIS Degrees American Sentinel is one of the few higher education institutions to offer an accredited, online Bachelor of Science Geographic Information Systems degree. The bachelor’s program prepares students to analyze, interpret and effectively communicate spatial date while providing insights into GIS to solve workplace problems. Learn more about American Sentinel University’s GIS degrees at http://www.americansentinel.edu/online-degree/bachelor-degree-online/bachelor-gis-degree.php.

Learn more about American Sentinel’s IT distance education programs at http://www.americansentinel.edu/information-technology.

For more news updates, information and special offers, follow American Sentinel University on Twitter @amersentinel and become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/americansentineluniversity.

About American Sentinel University

American Sentinel University delivers the competitive advantages of accredited associate, bachelor’s and master’s online degree programs focused on the needs of high-growth sectors, including information technology, computer science, GIS, computer information systems and business intelligence degrees. The university is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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“We are so excited to be given this opportunity to generate awareness for our organization while holding several events to strengthen our community of over 450 students. This is really a great opportunity for our families that come from all over the eastside to hang out, play games and just have fun together. The fact that Microsoft is also allowing us to participate in software training and host a public mini concert is extraordinary. We really appreciate their generosity.” says Melissa Heilweil, BYSO Development Assistant.

The partnership with the Microsoft store kicks off an exciting year for the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra who is gearing up for the Symetra Bellevue Family July 4th, the Eastside’s Largest 4th of July Celebration, where BYSO will give an Independence Day performance on the main stage prior to and during the fireworks display.

The Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit organization established to provide a positive and stimulating musical environment for students. BYSO uniquely complements and builds upon both school music programs and private instruction. BYSO encourages the development of musical skills and self-confidence, as participants in all ensembles rehearse orchestral literature which appropriately challenges their skills. For over 47 years our program has provided instrumental music experience to match the ability levels of talented youth from early elementary grades through their college years.

Featured 2012 Repertoire:
Mini Performance – Ensembles – January 31, 2012 at 6:30pm Microsoft Store in Bellevue Square Mall
Masterworks Concert 2 – Youth Symphony – March 11, 2012 at 7:00pm Theatre at Meydenbauer
Masterworks Concert 3 - Youth Symphony - May 21, 2012 at 7:00pm First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue

Please go to www.byso.org for ticket information and additional details.

WHEN:  Events take place the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, beginning Jan. 16 (see below). On Thursday, Jan. 19, Mr. Harrell will speak twice, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Bellevue College’s Carlson Theater (for Jan. 19 event) on Bellevue College’s campus; 3000 Landerholm Circle SE

OF INTEREST:

•  The Thursday event is part of a week-long celebration of Dr. King’s life, beginning with participation by students, faculty and staff in the 30th Annual MLK Rally and March in Seattle, on Monday, Jan. 16.

•  BC is honored to have Seattle City Councilmember, community leader and civil rights champion Bruch Harrell deliver this year’s keynote address on this year’s theme, “Dream with Vision, Live with Purpose,” on Thursday, Jan. 19.

•  Other events include:

o  Seminar titled, “Respect our Rights: Are We Living the MLK dream?” on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in room C130 o  Day of Creative Expression on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in room C130.

o  A Community Potluck and Dance, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will cap the week on Friday, Jan. 20.

•  All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the events, contact BC’s Office of Multicultural Services at (425) 564-4064.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 people each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

 
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 As part of the Founding Circle, Bellevue College has the distinction of being the only institution in Washington State to take the lead in making this commitment. The students of Bellevue College made this possible through an initiative that created the Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF). Using a designated student fee, the fund provides resources for environmentally beneficial activities and upgrades on campus. “It’s about what we can do for the college, the community, and the nation as a responsible global citizen,” said Associated Student Government Environmental and Social Responsibility Representative Megan Phan. The college is currently in the midst of a major audit of all lighting, HVAC and water systems to identify opportunities to save resources and money. The audit is being conducted through the State Energy Savings Performance Contracting program.

The Challenge is inspired by the exceptional performance of existing green revolving funds, which have a median annual return on investment of 32 percent, as documented by “Greening the Bottom Line,” a report published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. A bright spot in a rocky economy, these profitable investments are helping to create green jobs in campus communities, while lowering operating costs on college and university campuses.
“We’re transforming energy efficiency upgrades from perceived expenses to high-return investment opportunities,” said Mark Orlowski, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute, which is coordinating The Challenge along with 13 partner organizations. “Bellevue College should be commended for rising to The Challenge and investing in energy efficiency improvements on campus.”

Please visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability for more information on Bellevue College’s sustainability efforts, or www.GreenBillion.org to find out more about the Billion Dollar Challenge.

The Safeway store at Evergreen Village in Bellevue (1645 140^th Ave. NE) is covering the cost of tuition for Bellevue College student Eldin Juzvin. After completing a certificate in Retail Management, Juzvin hopes to earn a degree in Business Administration.

Managers at the Marshalls store at Overlake Fashion Plaza in Redmond (2150 148^th Ave. NE), the second winner, encouraged student Elena Semaykina to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and created a work schedule that allows for regular attendance.

“In these difficult economic times, many students face challenges in juggling work, school and family obligations. The instructors here at Bellevue College have found that some of the most successful working students have supportive and understanding employers, like Safeway and Marshalls. This support can come in a variety of ways, including flexible work hours, tuition reimbursement, mentoring, and more,” said Program Chair Tom Graham.

Bellevue College’s Developmental Education department offers classes in English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education (reading, writing and math), GED preparation, and workplace readiness.