10 years ago 1996

A persistent rumor has been circulating the Arlington area that the high school is ready to launch into a program to change the school day to four periods. That could not be further from the truth according to Principal Warrant Hopkins. The Arlington High School faculty last August voted to study the idea of alternative schedules, said Hopkins. No decision has been made or is one pending about going to a four-period day. Every year the high school receives a Learning Improvement Grant which has been used in various ways in the past. This year a committee of teachers, parents and a student decided to use the grant to study alternative schedules. This decision came after the faculty had voted to study the idea. The grant paid for substitute teachers to fill in so that faculty can visit other schools using alternative scheduling. Two schools, South Whidbey and Shorecrest, have been visited so far by a group of teachers, parents and students. The first Principal-Parent Roundtable is set for Nov. 20. This is one of many of these that will be held this year. Hopkins is planning on explaining what an alternate schedule could be and will be answering questions about that as well as other subjects. Later this school year the faculty will vote on the alternative schedule question. It will not be a vote to implement, only the school board is able to do that, it will be the question of whether or not the idea should be pursued. Over 60 high schools in the state of Washington have begun an alternative school schedule, added Hopkins. So I think that we need to at least look into the possibility. It is in the best interest of our school to keep trying to improve.

25 years ago 1981

Out of six scouts being considered for the 1982 Boy Scout National Youth Representative honor, the winner announced Oct. 14 in Dallas, Texas, come from Arlington. Shawn Hart, 17, an Eagle Scout with Troop 29 sponsored by the Arlington Lions Club, earned the honor through scout activities and interviews with the Boy Scouts National Activities Committee between Oct. 11-14 in Dallas. Hart earned the honor over five other scouts from New York, Iowa, Texas, Maryland and Indiana. As the national representative Hart addresses President Ronald Reagan on Scouting Today during a visit to Washington, D.C., between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5. Tours of other major sites in the Washington, D.C., area will also be visited by Hart. Hart earned the right to be considered for the national honor by winning the western region portion of the competition in late September. The western region consisted of 16 states. He and the five other winners flew to Dallas Oct. 11 and 12 to meet with the national activities committee. Along with six separate interviews on his scouting activities and thoughts on national/international issues, Hart also spent a large amount of time touring Dallas. At a luncheon with the top scouting executives, Hart was announced the winner. He credits the win to his interview answers that seem to flow out of him, he said. Everything was going his way, he added. Harts journey to the national finals began earlier this year when he was selected as Troop 29s representative. Next, a file consisting of Harts community, school, church and Boy Scout activities were then sent to the Tyee District Selection Committee. Out of the eight districts in the Evergreen Council, Hart joined seven other boys as council finalists. At the council level each of the boys records were received and interviews held in Everett last spring. Hart was announced the winner and his record, along with a copy of the interview, went to the Boy Scouts of America Western Region office in Sunnyvale, Calif. Hart was surprised he won the Western region honor because he forgot all about the competition over the summer months. He won out over 78 other council representatives. Hart, a high school senior, hopes his scout activities will help him get an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy for the next year. Leadership involved in scouting has directed him toward a military career. Harts goal in the Boy Scouts was to strive for rank because he enjoys the responsibility of leadership. In the Navy, his goal would be the same. After establishing a Naval career, he plans to work as a scout leader.

50 years ago 1956

Hospital head, Jence Thompson this week credited Arlingtons Lady Lions with boosting hospital bond sales nearly $30,000 so far this month, through direct sales and general publicity. Thompson indicated that the drive may reach it goal this month if sales continue at the present rate. The ladies proved themselves to be hardy and determined salesmen this week as they braved wet and blustery fall weather to keep their hospital bond sale booth in operation. A group of Arlington doctors wives, headed by Mrs. O.G. Kesling, traveled to Everett this week, where they manned telephones at the West Coast General office, and called 60 Snohomish County doctors urging them to invest in the hospital bonds. Many of the doctors were not available, so the group plans to follow up with telephone contacts again, as the drive continues. Doctors wives making the trip were Mrs. O.G. Kesling, Mrs. Ben Burgoyne, Mrs. Samuel Nebel, Mrs. J.R. Hahn and Mrs. D. G. Huber. The Arlington Fire Department again came to the rescue, with an additional purchase of $500 worth of hospital bonds this week. This brings the total bond purchase of the fire department to $1,000.