music

As parents, we have all heard and read that music has a profound impact on a child's development. We are often told that music enhances math performance or other scholastic endeavors. However, the majority of the benefits of early music exposure are much more personal.

WASL scores are out statewide and I've taken a quick look at the Tacoma School District's scores. Just as scores did statewide, our WASL scores fell in some subjects/grades and rose in others.

This is a very difficult time for the state and the country, as State Superintendent Terry Berguson rightly pointed out at the beginning of her press conference (still showing live on Click! Network channel 84). I am proud of our students for holding steady at a time of great economic difficulty and making some gains in science.

Tacoma School District 2-Year WASL Trends

Reading/Math

08 3rd Grade 64.4 61.3

07 3rd Grade 64.7 63.7

2-year trend -.3 -2.4

Reading/Math Writing

08 4th Grade 66.3 47.0 58.3

07 4th Grade 70.4 45.7 53.9

2-year trend -4.1 +1.3 +4.4

Reading/Math/Science

08 5th Grade 68.8 50.8 29.5

07 5th Grade 64.8 53.7 23.3

2-year Trend: +4 -2.9 +6.2

Reading/Math

08 6th Grade 59.1 36.9

08 6th Grade 58.0 40.2

2-year Trend: +1.1 -3.3

Reading/Math/Writing

08 7th Grade 57.9 40.7 64.5

07 7th Grade 61.4 43.3 58.2

2-year Trend -3.5 -2.6 +6.3

Reading/Math/Science

08 8th Grade 59.0 40.5 33.7

07 8th Grade 55.3 35.6 28.3

2-year Trend +3.7 +4.9 +5.4

Reading/Math/Writing/Science

08 10th Grade 71.4 32.1 80.6 26.7

07 10th Grade 69.6 36.1 70.0 23.9

2-year Trend +1.8 -4 +10.6 +2.8

Summer break keeps chugging along... Here's what's cooking this week.

Tuesday (today): 6th Avenue Fresh Market, 3:30-7:30. We've decided not to do this one, my kids have asked: can they please just go to the market for fun? I think that's a good idea. However, the Inbetween Place might use the space for some kids activities, and there's face painting at Herban Cafe (kids eat free, too!)

Also Today: See the Fabulous Filucies Band at McKinley Playfield, free! Part of the Playground Express Family Concert series. 10:30 and 5:30.

Wednesday: Speaking of the Inbetween Place, free open play tomorrow! 11 am to 3 pm. From their flyer: "We provide the COOLEST play area in Tacoma! Art tables, dress up, stories, music, and special visitors. Bring your imagination!" Free through next week, so check it out now.

Thursday: Market day! The Children's Museum will be free as usual, we'll have bubbles - and? We might get wild and crazy and crack out the homemade playdough. I have that not so fresh feeling about market play. Any suggestions?

Also Thursday: Check out "Wild Workers: Little Bugs with Big Jobs" at the Moore Library, 215 S 56th St. Free.

Friday: Family Fun Night at Fort Nisqually. 6 to 9 pm. Bring a picnic supper and enjoy games, music and dancing of the mid-1800s. Inexpensive: $4 adults, $3 seniors/students, $2 kids 5-12, or pay $12 for the whole family.

Also Friday: Pajama story time at the Inbetween Place. 608 N State St. Bring a pillow and blanket and get comfy. $10, includes snack.

Saturday and Sunday: Ethnic Fest. Wright Park. One of our favorite festivals of the year. Features music, food, and performances from cultures represented all over the South Sound and around the world. Free concert and movie (The Rhumba Kings) Saturday night, movie begins at dusk.

Ongoing: As always, the Metro Parks Summer Playground Program is free and available at 8 different locations around the city. Now you can also try out "Grand Slam Summer" - free facilitated sports activities at Heidelberg Park, (by Foss High School) noon to 8 pm Monday through Friday. 6 - 8 is "family time" when parents play, too.

Looking ahead to next week: Club Tweenie alllllll ages show at the Inbetween Place next Friday, featuring Robots vs Humans, and the Browns Point Improvement Club Salmon Bake, next Saturday and Sunday.