Henry Foss High School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Established | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public secondary |
| Principal | Thu Ament |
| Faculty | 140 |
| Students | 1,760 (2006) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 2112 South Tyler St., Tacoma, Washington,, USA |
| Colors | Green, Gold, White
|
| Mascot | Falcons |
| Yearbook | Calypso |
| Newspaper | Foss Focus |
| Website | Henry Foss High School |
Henry Foss High School is a high school in Tacoma, Washington. It opened in 1973. It is a part of the Tacoma Public School District. The school is named after Henry Foss, a civic leader and tugboat tycoon in Tacoma.
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[edit] History
In 1982, Foss became the first school in Washington State to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program[1].
In the fall of 1987, the school population nearly doubled, with the change of the Tacoma School District going to a 4-year high school program as opposed to the three as was in the past. Foss had experienced major growing pains, adding many trailer buildings throughout the campus, in order to accommodate the additional population.
At the start of the year, each student is assigned a "Team", based on that students strengths, "Team-A", was primarily those students who were in accelerated college prep programs such as the I.B. Program. The average student was assigned to "Team-B". "Team-C" was mainly for those students, that had difficulty learning. "Team-9" was the newest addition to the Team format, to accommodate, incoming Freshman class.
In the spring of 2001, the school was selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as an Achiever High School in Washington State. The school received a $9 million grant to restructure college preparation efforts, and an additional $100 million in scholarships. [2]
Among the efforts funded by these grants were a restructuring of the school into smaller "academies". This created some dissension among faculty and students. In April 2004, a group of Foss sophomores threatened to boycott the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) tests if the school board did not promise to retain pre-IB honors courses in English and history. The principal and school board did promise to offer these honor classes in the academies, and the boycott was called off. However, against her promise, Principal Sharon Shauss removed the pre-IB classes and replaced them with Honors courses.[3]
In March 2006, the faculty voted by a 60-40 margin not to apply for a renewal to the grant program; those opposed argued that the Gates Foundation grant "destroyed good programs" in the school, including the IB Program and the "team teaching" structure. [4] Shortly after, Tacoma Schools Superintendent Jim Shoemake directed the school's principal to override this decision and apply for a grant extension. [5].
[edit] Mission statement
"The mission of Henry Foss High School is to provide dynamic learning opportunities through a safe, caring environment for all."
[edit] Swift Classroom Sites
All teachers at Foss High School now have the ability to post assignments, projects, grades, and other important necessities online. These websites use the SWIFT program. [6]
[edit] 2007 shooting
| Henry Foss High School shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tacoma, Washington, United States |
| Date | January 3, 2007 7:20 a.m. (UTC-8) |
| Attack type | School shooting |
| Weapon(s) | 9mm. handgun |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Perpetrator(s) | Douglas S. Chanthabouly |
On January 3, 2007, at 7:20 a.m. PST, 18-year-old Douglas S. Chanthabouly entered the school hallway, and shot 17-year-old Samnang "Sam" Kok in the face, and then fired over him twice. Kok was pronounced dead at the scene.[1] The school proceeded to enter lockdown. Students were moved to the school's gymnasium until police secured the building at approximately 9:00 a.m. Some students were bused across town to Wilson High School, but were later taken back to Foss, causing some confusion and stress to parents. The nearby school of Bellarmine Prep was also put on high alert.[2]
Afterwards, Chanthabouly was arraigned and charged with first-degree murder on January 4, 2007.[3][4] Tacoma Police believe that the shooting was due to a disagreement and was not likely gang-related.[5]
[edit] Statistics
- Student Population - 1,760
- 2006 Senior Class - 343
- Males - 886
- Females - 874
- African-Americans - 494
- Caucasians - 751
- Native Americans - 22
- Hispanic - 143
- Asian - 350
- Faculty - 140
- Administrators - 4
- School Conference - West Central, District 3, Narrows League, Bridge Division
- School Mascot - Falcons
- School Colors - Green/Gold
[edit] Notable alumni
- Brent Goulet, professional soccer player
- Jeff Taylor, author of 50 Hikes In and Around Tuscany
- Jason Tanz, author of Other People's Property
- Lia Bardeen, Contestant on Top Chef Season 3
[edit] Fight Song
Melody to University of Southern California's Fight On
Fight On for Henry Foss,
Fight Team, Fight On, For Victory
For Colors Bright and Bold,
Green, White, Gold
Fight On for Henry Foss,
Fight On for Victory,
Fight On
Go, Falcons, Go
Fight, Falcons, Fight
Go, Go, Go, Go, Falcons
[edit] Alumni Outreach
Henry Foss High School has an unofficial alumni newsletter entitled "Wingspan: Falcons Take Flight" established in 2003.
[edit] References
- ^ http://blogmedia.thenewstribune.com/media/fosscharge.cfm.pdf
- ^ Confusion, stress follow lockdown | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA
- ^ http://blogmedia.thenewstribune.com/media/image.cfm.pdf
- ^ Court documents give details of Foss High shooting | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA
- ^ Death stuns school | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA
- Henry Foss High School
- [8] - Class of 89
- [9]
- International Baccalaureate Organization
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Achievers Program
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