• 2011 Picnic Announcement
• Fairview Pathway Work Begun
• Madison-Avanti Giving Garden
• Newsletter Editor & Website Contributors Needed

Watch for it to be delivered to your door by an ENA volunteer, or download a copy now (PDF).

• February’s general meeting & potluck
• Volunteering: board of directors, picnic, and more
• Reporting Graffiti
• Legion Way trees
• Fairview Pathway
• Interview with Madison School’s principal (read the extended version online)
• Playground fundraising
• Madison-Avanti Giving Garden
• Neighborhood Wood-Chipping
• Treasurer’s Report
• Teachers on DonorsChoose.org
• Imagine Olympia Neighborhood Planning Meeting
• Plus ads & the dues form!

Written by Jessica Archer

My toddler is getting big, so I have schools on the brain lately. In the news, I read about how poorly US students perform, especially in math and science, so I decided to start investigating schools in our area. The Office of Superintendent of Public Schools has a tool called “Washington State Report Card” http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?year=2009-10

You can use this tool to compare schools by standardized tests, teacher education, special programs, etc. Of course, these statistics don’t really give you a “real feel” for the school so last summer I interviewed Gayle Mar-Chun, the principal at Madison elementary school.

How long have you been the principal at Madison Elementary?
I have been a principal at Madison for 5 years. Prior to that, I was involved in teacher leadership and professional development at North Thurston Public Schools and the ESD 113 for 15 years. I have been an educator in Fairfax, Virginia; Elk Grove, California; Honolulu, Hawaii.

How did you decide to go into this line of work?
I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I can remember when I was 8 years old, I would round up all the neighborhood kids and invite them into my parent’s garage that I turned into Miss Gayle’s School. When I became a real teacher, magical moments happened each day. I was hooked my first day of teaching and continue to be as a principal.
Why did I become a principal? Well, a few mentors along the way encouraged me to become a principal because they believed in my capacity to make a difference for students and families beyond the classroom. Being an educator is hard work, but it is also the most gratifying job because each day you get a chance to laugh and learn right alongside the children.

Do you live in the Eastside neighborhood?
No, I live in on the westside in a neighborhood called Tamoshan. However, I love the eastside neighborhood’s sense of community. It reminds me of our first house we bought in Curtis Park in Sacramento. The homes were small with a lot of character; the school and park drew many young families to the area. Some of our closest friends today came from the neighborhood babysitting coop, and that was 30 years ago. The Eastside has that same feeling of supportive families and friendship.

What do you like about having the school in this neighborhood?
The architecture of the school seems to fit into the beauty and the active lifestyle of this tree-lined neighborhood. As I peer outside my office window, I am struck by how many people walk or bike to and from the downtown core.
I believe that Madison has always been an integral part of the neighborhood. I know that our school, our families, and our students have benefited from it. The majority of the students walk to school so I know that our neighbors keep a watchful eye on our students. It seems that the school has become a focal point for the neighborhood, drawing families to come for a picnic at our new garden, to donate school supplies at the beginning of the year, or to volunteer as a weekly lunch buddy or reading buddy. Madison has that inviting feel open to neighbors. Just drop by and you’ll see.

What programs & events are you most excited about and proud of at Madison?
There are so many things that make Madison unique. Our focus truly is on the whole child.
Madison’s small size allows us to personalize each child’s education. For instance, we have a walk to read program where students have 90 minutes of reading instruction in small groups at their reading level. That means students who are higher readers can be challenged at their reading level, and not held back. We offer that for our struggling students as well.
The other program that makes us unique is the Welcome Room. As you may know, the downtown core has had many homeless shelters for families. The Welcome Room came about in response to providing a safe haven before and afterschool for these students. It also sends a message to everyone that Madison is a place that welcomes everybody.
Our latest endeavor is the Madison-Avanti Giving Garden. It has become a wonderful project that has involved the families, students, neighbors, and the community. The “giving” part of the name came about when we realized that the students would be donating some of the vegetables and fruit to the Thurston County Food Bank. We know that we are transforming the way students think about food when they get to grow it. Just last month, one first grader said, “This is the best tasting lettuce that I’ve ever eaten”! Come join us for picnic dinners on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, even during the summer.

What are the unique challenges with leading Madison?
Madison faces many challenges that all schools face: dwindling resources, students with greater needs, families struggling during difficult economic times, and demonstrating to the community that public education is making a difference. We feel very fortunate to have dedicated teachers and parents who partner in educating all our children.
As the principal, I believe that leadership is all around us. Each and every parent, caregiver, friend, and neighbor can take a step in significant ways that embraces the concept that “it takes a village to raise a child.”

I’ve read that you split your time with leading Madison and coordinating the Title 1 program. Can you tell me about that?
Yes, 40% of my work is to coordinate the district’s Title 1 program. Title 1 is the largest federal aid program for our nation’s schools. Many of you may know it as “No Child Left Behind.” Every year each state receives a basic grant for the program. The state then sends funds to
school districts based on the number of low income families. Currently, five Olympia School District elementary schools benefit from this program – Roosevelt, Garfield, Hansen, LP Brown, and Madison. (Madison has close to 58% poverty rate) These schools focus on whole school improvement.
Title 1 funds remedial education programs for poor and disadvantaged children so all children can obtain a high quality education. The idea is to close the achievement gap between schools that have more and schools that have less.
Title 1 provides extra help for struggling students. Children living in a Title 1 school are eligible for extra assistance regardless of family income. Funding is used for “proven” teaching methods and programs like all-day kindergarten, preschool, hiring specialized teachers and
assistants, afterschool programs, 1:1 tutoring, supplementary materials, computer assisted learning, home visits, parent involvement activities, or staff training.

I’ve used the OSPI School Report Card tool (http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?year=2009-10) to compare Madison to other elementary schools in the Olympia School District. It looks as if Madison is struggling. How does Madison compare in academic achievement with other schools in the district? What are your plans for improving the school?
Madison is a great school and I believe it compares very well to other schools in the District and throughout Thurston County. For many years, Madison has had excellent student achievement results, especially considering that so many of our students come from families in poverty or face other challenges. Compared to other schools with similar demographics in the region, we have very strong reading and math scores.
We have been especially successful with students who arrive at Madison in kindergarten and stay here through fifth grade. Over the past couple of years, we have seen a higher number of students who are moving in and out of the neighborhoods that we serve at Madison and we are working to address their individual learning needs and help them succeed. Our school improvement plans focus on providing more individualized instruction to make sure every student can maximize his or her learning and greater teacher collaboration to intervene early when students are having difficulty in a particular area. We’re on the right path.

What can folks in the neighborhood do to improve Madison and help neighborhood kids?
There are so many ways for people to get involved and help at Madison. People in our neighborhood often serve as lunch buddies (a program where adults share a lunch with students once a week). Many of our neighbors helped create our school garden ,and others volunteer in the classroom.
Several local groups have raised funds to help us provide enrichment activities or basic classroom supplies. There is no limit in ways to help and I encourage anybody in our neighborhood to contact me so we can get them involved at Madison.

Download the ENA Winter 2010 newsletter (PDF) – it just went to the printer and will be delivered (by hand! by volunteers!) over the next two weeks.

This issue is chock full of neighborly goodness: events, the new Madison-Avanti garden, Lions Park, a meet your neighbor interview, time banking, and the usual president’s and treasurer’s reports.

Get it now, or read your copy when it shows up at your door.

Previously posted online: Meeting info; Volunteer Opportunities; Summer Picnic; Waste Cart Graffiti Cleanup

Special thanks to our advertisers: Compass Rose, Swantown Inn, and Dallen Bounds (flooring installer). Please support these great businesses!

Volunteering Opportunities in Our Neighborhood (update): We have one volunteer who is interested in organizing Garden Walks. She’s looking for two or three additional volunteers to assist. Contact us to get in touch and help!

Treasurer’s Report, Jenni Fleming
As of September 24, the ENA Checking Account had $818.24 due to recent advertising and membership support and our Regular Savings had $1553.78. The Neighborhood Signs fund, which is set aside for maintenance or replacement of the metal entrance signs, had $1286.44.

Out of 1100 households, 75 are currently paid members. We want to get to 110 paid households (10% of the neighborhood!) by the end of 2009. Send in your dues form today!

Loan a tool, borrow a tool: coming soon
A small group of interested neighbors got together recently and talked how people in this neighborhood can support each other, and lend a hand or a tool, if needed or asked for. Our task and ongoing goal is to create an arena wherein people who may not otherwise know each other will feel comfortable with the prospect of sharing their belongings and engage confidently in doing so.

Access to the Tool Share database and a contact Liaison will be available soon to dues-paying members of the ENA. (Only $10.00 Annually!) Our website will contain regularly updated lists of items available for lending as well as items wanted.
A Liaison will put the Lender and Borrower in contact with each other, facilitating their meeting. This way no personal information will be available online. After the initial contact with the Liaison, the exchange will be between the individuals. Borrower and/or Lender will download and print out the appropriate ‘cards’ containing the agreement between the individuals concerning return timeframes and contact methods, as well as a statement of personal liability and waiver for the ENA.

The ENA Liaison will be available should any issues arise, to provide assistance and guidance. It is our intent to expand and broaden this program as involvement grows, to fit our group’s needs. We may eventually branch out to include items that aren’t tools in the common sense, such as a sewing machine or large coffee pot set. Many of us have items like this, which we use rarely and that others can’t justify purchasing, but could be quite useful. And why purchase more items if your neighbor would happily lend you theirs?

Once the program is off the ground, and there is more input to respond to, concerns will be addressed as they arise. Our current intent is to increase the ability for people to accomplish tasks around their homes by combining our resources. To get involved please check the box about Tool Sharing when you send in your dues. Watch eastside-olympia.org for information about how to sign up, coming soon.

Meet Your Neighbor: Jessica Combe, interviewed by Jessica Archer
I met with Jennifer Combe, an artist in the neighborhood, at her house on Central Street. Her house is brightly colored and full of light, beautifully decorated with a sunny porch outback and plum trees in the yard. She has an amazing art studio with skylights that filter sunshine onto her paintings. Jennifer invited me in despite having a big work deadline and gave me a big bag of plums and a tour of her art studio. She has lived in the neighborhood for 4 years and currently lives with an Evergreen student who is about to graduate.

Why did you move to the Eastside Neighborhood?
I wanted to buy a house before Bush was reelected for a second term – before interest rates went up. I bought the house from Sequoia Miller and Ariel Goldmeyer (sp?) – they had this art studio, but moved to another house where the art studio is twice the size of the house.

Wow you’re an artist! What type of art do you do?
I paint in oil. I just finished a low-residency Masters in Fine Arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. I also teach art at Tumwater High School.

What do you like about the neighborhood?
I like that it’s socioeconomically diverse and close to downtown.

What would you like to see change – what should the ENA work on?
I really dislike the noise from I-5. It seems like when they cut down some of the buffer trees, it got a lot louder.

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?
I like hiking, skiing, and cooking (this one was obvious from her beautiful kitchen).

Anything else about yourself that you’d like people to know?
I don’t like to talk when I get home from work (those of you who work in a school setting will understand this one!).

Where can folks see your art work?
View the art at jennifercombe.com You can also check it out now at the Waterstreet Cafe now (by the lake) and at Batdorf and Bronson in December. She’s doing a show at the Portilis Winebar in Ballard in August 2010.