Students get crash course on a clean mouth
March 4, 2010
Dentist gives special presentations about oral hygiene at elementary schools

Dominick Curalli, of Newcastle Dentistry, shows first-graders in Kathryn Ingalls’ class at Hazelwood Elementary School what a cavity-filled mouth looks like. By Tim Pfarr
For National Dental Health Month, Dentist Dominick Curalli, of Newcastle Dentistry, traveled to six different elementary schools in February to teach first-, second- and third-graders the importance of oral hygiene.
Elementary school principal to leave in June
March 4, 2010
Newcastle Elementary Principal Christy Otley announced Feb. 5 that she will leave the school at the end of the school year. She will become principal at Grand Ridge Elementary School in the Issaquah Highlands, as Grand Ridge Principal Barb Walton plans to retire in June.
Otley, who has been at Newcastle Elementary since it opened, announced the news in a letter. However, she could not be reached for comment. Read more
Hazen student is finalist for National Merit Scholarship
March 4, 2010
Hazen High School senior Julie Vaisarova has been named a National Merit Scholarship program finalist. She is one of 15,000 students across the country to be named a finalist and have an opportunity to receive a scholarship.
To become a National Merit finalist, Vaisarova had to consistently perform well in her classes and on her PSAT, and she had to be endorsed by Hazen Principal John Kniseley. Read more
Newcastle Elementary School principal to leave in June
February 8, 2010
NEW — 10:54 a.m. Feb. 8, 2010
Newcastle Elementary Principal Christy Otley recently announced that she will transfer to Grand Ridge Elementary School in the Issaquah Highlands at the end of the school year.
Otley, who has been at Newcastle Elementary since it opened, announced the news in a letter.
“For the past six years, this school community has been such a family to me,” Otley wrote in her resignation letter. “I am following an important life lesson that we try to teach all of our students: Challenge and change are often necessary for growth and fresh perspectives.”
Issaquah School District officials created a survey to help in selecting a new principal for Newcastle Elementary. Take the survey here. Complete the survey by 4 p.m. Feb. 23.
Local couples team up for children’s book drive
February 4, 2010
Author enlists help of former Seahawk

Robin and Steven Ryan teamed up with former Seahawk Mack Strong and his wife Zoe Higheagle-Strong to produce a book drive benefiting American Indian children. The drive brought in 1,171 books. Contributed
Robin Ryan — a career counselor and author of seven books — and her husband Steven — a chiropractor — wanted to produce a charitable project. Read more
Maywood Middle School gears up for expansion
February 4, 2010
Maywood Middle School is gearing up for its remodel and expansion, although the project is still in the design phase. Read more
Hazelwood Elementary teacher earns National Board Certification
February 4, 2010
If you thought cramming for an SAT or advanced physics courses was tough, try spending more than 400 hours preparing videos, lesson plans and presentations before placing it neatly before a panel of national experts. Read more
Liberty High School students are expelled for suspicion of marijuana possession
February 4, 2010
Three Liberty High School students were expelled for possession of what police and Issaquah School District officials say they suspect is marijuana on Jan. 13, 20 and 21.
School employees found a 15-year-old student in possession of a small amount of marijuana on campus Jan. 13. Read more
Renton schools get $500,000 energy grant
February 4, 2010
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has distributed a $500,000 grant to the Renton School District for energy improvements. Read more
Hazen High School hosts first invitational dance competition
December 31, 2009

Girls from Hazen High School’s drill team pose for a photo at the first Hazen Invitational Dance Competition Dec. 12. By Tim Pfarr
Hazen High School in Renton hosted its first invitational dance competition Dec. 12, and dancers from 19 other high schools from across Western Washington attended, including dancers from Liberty High School. Read more


