Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 30 January 2019

The Manson High School Vex Robotics Team attended the CWU League #3 Vex Robotics Tournament at Seattle Preparatory School on January 26-27, 2019.

The students earned 2nd place out of sixteen teams at the competition.

The team also earned the Programming Skills Champion Award for their robot’s autonomous software program. The Educator Award was awarded to their coach, Susan Sears.

The team is comprised of (L-R)- Titus Petersen, Jose Vazquez, Jonathan Sarmiento, Cole Cochran, Zoe Thomas, Cara Hutton, (not pictured) Rowan Evig, Connor and Grant Torgesen.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 30 January 2019

Manson School District is proud to announce that two elementary teachers, Cassandra Williams and Brandy Samson, have earned their National Board Certification for the 2018-19 school year in Early-Middle Childhood Literacy.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. Manson School District now has 11 nationally board certified teachers with several more working towards completion.

Other National Board Certified teachers in are district are: Amy Anderson, Phil Fournier, Jay Fox, Anita Johanson, Steve Nygreen, Susan Sears, Katie Sperling, Heather Teague and Andrea Whitney.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 30 January 2019

Manson High School FBLA attended the North Central Region FBLA Winter Leadership Conference in Wenatchee on January 19, 2019.

Twenty-eight students placed in twenty-one events.

The following students placed at the regional conference and qualified for the Washington State FBLA Leadership Conference in April. Manson FBLA students placed 1st in five separate competitions and lead the region in number of students participating. 

Individuals:

• Bailey Cameron – Cyber Security 2^nd place

• Bryan Bernardo – Cyber Security 5^th place, Networking Concepts 1^st place

• Bryanna Harris – Introduction to Business 3^rd place

• Cara Hutton – Organizational Leadership 6^th place

• Cole Cochran – Securities & Investments 5^th place, Spreadsheet Applications 4^th place

• Grant Torgesen- Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure 3rd place, Introduction to Financial Math 2nd place

• Jose Pascasio – Business Calculations 3rd place, Securities & Investments 2nd place

• Thea Batch – Introduction to Business Communication 1^st place, Introduction to Business Procedure 5^th place.

• Ty Charlton – Advertising 1^st place, Political Science 2^nd place

• Yessenia Villasenor – Client Service 6^th place

Groups:

• Brayan Cesar, Cole Cochran, Bryce La Mar, Conner Torgesen – Parlimentary Procedure 5^th place

• Briar Soliday, Trenton Stotko, Victor Calderon – Business Ethics 3^rd place

• Bryan Bernardo, Jose Pascasio, Christian Montes – Graphic Design 2^nd place

• Bryce La Mar, Conner Torgesen, Grant Torgesen – Business Ethics 6^th place

• Christian Montes, Parker Schoenwald, Jonathan Morales – Sports & Entertainment Management 3^rd place

• Cole Beazley, Caden Beazley, Bailey Cameron – Sports & Entertainment Management 1^st place

• Devyn Smith, Mara Vargas, Nadia Verduzco – Website Design 2^nd place

• Megan Clausen, Mara Vargas, Devyn Smith – Business Ethics 5^th place

• Oliver Ellingson, Victor Calderon, and Jake Lodwig – Digital Video Production 2^nd place

• Parker Schoenwald, Bailey Cameron, Caden Beazley – Hospitality Management 2^nd place

• Ty Charlton and Cole Beazley – Hospitality Management 1^st place

• Ty Charlton, Tucker Flowers, Parker Schoenwald – Business Ethics 4^th place

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 18 January 2019

On Wednesday January 9th, Manson High School hosted their annual Knowledge Bowl (KB) Tournament.  “Typically, we have the northern region teams (e.g. Liberty Bell, Chelan, Okanogan, etc.) coming down to participate in the competition, but this year we had a huge turn out from the south too,” said Manson coach Phil Fournier.  With the southern tournament being cancelled last minute at Wahluke High School, there was a convergence of the southern and northern teams onto the Manson campus, a veritable North Central Washington (NCW) Knowledge Bowl Tournament. There were 11 schools and 29 teams, ranging from 4A to 2B battling it out. 

With the strong reputation of the intellectual acumen and friendly competitiveness of the NCW region and teams, the battles were intense and well fought.  Liberty Bell, a perennial favorite at State, took 1st place honors while Moses Lake, another juggernaut in State competition, took 2nd place. Manson took 13th place overall in this highly competitive field. Manson High School captain Ty Charlton enjoyed the competition and organization of the event. “It was bigger than previous years.  It ran smoothly and everyone had a good time.”  In between rounds, the various teams congregated to the student hub to check their results and fill up on some snacks and small conversation while a nice warm fire crackled in the background.

The Manson High School Knowledge Bowl team would like to thank the school district and community for the great success of this tournament: the use of teachers’ classrooms, the technological assistance and equipment, the dedication of our incredible readers and timers, and the gracious donations from Manson Red Apple and Manson Growers.   Coach Fournier added, “It was wonderful having Knowledge Bowl coaches from the various schools share with me about how great the tournament was and also about the amazing commitment of all community and staff members involved in this huge endeavor. It was a blast.”

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 16 January 2019

The Manson School District applied for and received an urgent repair grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the amount of $110,097 to construct a wheel chair ramp at the elementary school. Eric Sivertson, Operations Manager submitted our application in the fall and was notified in early December that we were selected as one of the award recipients.

Construction on the ramp will begin in July of 2019 and should be completed by August of 2019. The ramp improves Manson Elementary ADA access allowing for both an interior (elevator) and exterior route to all portions of the building and grounds.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 13 January 2019

Manson School District

Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy

Placed on February 12, 2019 Ballot

The Manson School Board has passed a resolution placing a levy proposition on the February 12th 2019 Chelan County special election ballot. If approved, the levy would replace an expiring Maintenance and Operations (M & O) Levy passed by voters in February 2017.

The proposed levy is for 2 years 2020 & 2021 (Manson has historically run 2-year levies).

The current voter approved amount scheduled to be collected this year (2019) is $1,367,278. The tax rate is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The proposed amounts are: 2020 $1,449,314 ($1.50 per $1,000) 2021 $1,536,273 ($1.50 per $1,000)

Manson’s EP & O levy funding is approximately 13% of the district’s total funding and either fully or partially supports:

• Maintenance of school facilities, including custodial staff, equipment, supplies and utilities

• Instructional programs/staff/technology:

  • College courses in the high school

  • Preschool for all 4 year olds

  • High school internship program

  • Support of the arts (music, drama, art)

  • Special Education (in addition to state/federal funding)

  • Vocational classes (shop, ag classes, business, technology, drones)

  • Technology support

  • Replacement of computers/devices

• Beyond the School Day Programs

  • After school enrichment and academic intervention classes

  • Middle/High school athletics (coaches, referees, travel, uniforms, equipment)

  • Clubs (pep band, FBLA, FFA, Knowledge Bowl, robotics).

• Food service program (fresh fruit/vegetable snacks)

• Professional development/staff training

An informational meeting for the public will be held at Manson High School on February 4th at 6:30PM and additional informational meetings can be scheduled (687-3140). Information is also available on the district website at www.manson.org including an individual tax calculator where taxpayers can determine their estimated local school tax using their property assessed value amounts.

Manson School District

Replacement Capital Projects Levy

Placed on February 12, 2019 Ballot

The Manson School Board has passed a resolution placing a six-year capital projects levy on the February 12, 2019 ballot. This proposition would replace an expiring capital levy passed by voters in 2013 set to expire on December 31, 2019.

What would this capital projects levy do?

A committee of Manson community and staff members prioritized the following needs:

1. Safety Improvements

   1. Redesigning and strengthening entrances to both schools

   2. Replacing doors, adding security cameras

   3. Replace aging fire suppression panels in each building

   4. Replace alarm/security panels

2. Early Childhood Center

   1. Create a facility designed specifically for 3 & 4 year old children

   2. Free-up classroom space in the elementary

      1. Addresses need for small group spaces

3. Redesign Elementary Parking/Traffic Area

   1. Expand parking for parents/visitors and staff

   2. Improve parent drop-off/pick-up location

   3. Relocate bus drop-off/pick-up location

4. Replace Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems

   1. Majority of systems were installed in 1997-98 remodel – twenty-year life span is ending

5. Remodel MS/HS student bathrooms

6. Remodel MS/HS gymnasiums

   1. Replace aging wooden bleachers in MS(old) gym

7. Replace fixtures in both buildings

   1. Plumbing, lighting and kitchen appliances

8. Track resurfacing

   1. Proactively set aside funds to resurface when it becomes necessary

9. Continue to invest in student technology/equipment

How much will this cost?

Fixed amount of dollars collected each year (this amount doesn’t fluctuate with assessed value changes)

$499,000 each year 2020-2025 (Previous capital levy amount was $595,000 each year (2014-2019)

Rates per $1000 of assessed property value

• 2017 $0.72

• 2018 $0.65

• 2019 (current) $0.61

• 2020 (proposed) $0.49

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 10 January 2019

Written by Manson FFA

Published: 11 December 2018

Upper L-R: Raven Pope, Cody Fitzpatrick, Cole Cochran, Emily Valencia

Bottom L-r: Henry Armstrong, Blake Cochran, Teresa Venegas

The Manson FFA Apple Judging team consisting of Cody Fitzpatrick, Henry Armstrong, Blake Cochran Marcos Diaz, and Nadia Tejada, traveled to Kennewick, Washington to participate in the state FFA Apple Judging CDE.

It was an early morning start leaving the high school at 5am for the 3 ½ hour drive. There were 127 competitors with Blake Cochran placing 28th individual.

The team placed 11th overall out of 28 teams missing the top ten by a mere 1.5 points.

The contest consisted of 25 questions out of the private applicator pesticide manual, judging two sets of trays (one red delicious and one granny Smith), figuring maturity date from full bloom, showing the proper way to pressure test, grading 25 golden delicious and 25 red delicious apples, identifying 25 varieties of apples and pears, identifying 25 insects and 50 blemishes on the apples.

The team was excited about placing and look forward to next year

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 06 December 2018

Manson High School Robotics Club competed in their first competition on December 1, 2018 at Central Washington University. Students who attended were Cole Cochran, Jonathan Sarmiento, Cara Hutton, Zoe Thomas and Grant Torgesen. Students competed in the skills challenge where they earned  1^st Place for their autonomous and driver control skills. 

Students also competed in the brackets challenge and earned 9th Place out of 16 teams who competed. This is the first year for Robotics Club and students are off to a great start!