Henry Foss High School
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| Henry Foss High School |
|
| Established | 1973 |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Principal | Don Herbert |
| Faculty | 140 |
| Students | 1,760 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 2112 South Tyler St. Tacoma, Washington, USA |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Mascot | Falcons |
| Newspaper | Foss Focus |
| Website | Henry Foss High School |
Henry Foss High School is a high school in Tacoma, Washington opened in 1973. It is a part of the Tacoma Public School District. The school is named after Henry Foss, a civic leader 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 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. [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] January 3, 2007 Shooting
On January 3, 2007 at 7:20 a.m. PST, a male student entered the school and shot to death Samnang Kok, a 17-year-old Foss junior. [6]. The school proceeded to enter lockdown. Students were moved to the school's gymnasium. Students were locked down 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. [7]
Kok was pronounced dead at the scene [8]. Shortly afterwards, 18-year-old Foss junior Douglas Chanthabouly was arrested walking through a suburban neighborhood nearby. Chanthabouly was arraigned and charged with first-degree murder on January 4, 2007. [9] [10]
Tacoma Police believe that the shooting was due to a disagreement and was not likely gang-related. [11]
[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] 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
