MARYSVILLE – Ideas aplenty were shared at the Marysville School District’s first community outreach meeting Jan. 11, from teaching life skills and offering more vocational classes and electives to working more with community volunteers.

The district will have its next outreach meeting in council chambers with students Jan. 19 at 3 p.m.

At the meeting with Civic Groups Monday, Robyn Warren of the Marysville morning Rotary talked about the need for more vocational offerings in the MSD so students can find what they love in life.

“The more exposure they have the easier to find their way,” she said.

Athletic director Greg Erickson added, “We need pipefitters.”

Linda Clay of Soroptimists agreed, as did Kim Reynolds of Marysville Together Coalition.

“More electives are needed,” Clay said. “They need to learn the joy of learning. Passions vary.”

Reynolds said life skills, such as home economics, need to be taught, along with more community service.

“Students need personal experiences to find their niche, their skill set,” she said.

Pastor Greg Kahehan  said the MSD should partner more with volunteers from groups all over town.

Tom King of the Kiwanis said groups used to help with maintenance at schools all the time.

“We painted everything with community volunteers,” King said.

Don Whitfield of the Marysville Noon Rotary said, “People are willing to give time and money to help maintain schools.”

Reynolds said volunteers also would tutor students after school. She also said as part of the Marysville-Pilchuck Parent Teacher Student Association they are seeking direction. “We have money, but don’t know the best way to use it,” she said.

Erickson said there needs to be more respect for the five-day school day.

“It’s getting sloppy. We need more seat time,” he said.

Erickson also spoke up in favor of health. Obesity is on the rise, yet schools are always “taking time away from fitness.”

As for what the district already is doing well, Kanehen said it is very welcoming and transparent, while Whitfield said it sincerely wants input from the community. Erickson said people are willing to work together, and Clay said it’s a breath of fresh air. Reynolds likes the technology and King the students of the month.

“It’s unbelievable what they do,” King said. “Just when things tip south these kids tip the scale” the other direction.

Participants also talked about:

•Pushing not just four-year colleges, but also two-year tech schools.

•Enlarging the backpack program.

•Teaching computer code as a language

•Fixing up Asbury Field.

•Rewarding teachers for thinking out of the box.

•Passing construction bonds.

In conclusion, school board director Bruce Larsen said some of the ideas have been brought up before, but “a lot of it is new stuff, and we like to hear it.”

Chris Nation said he appreciated everyone’s candor.

“We want to hear the truth. We can’t fix what we don’t know,” Nation said.

Superintendent Becky Berg also appreciated the event.

“The leaders offered great insights, and ideas about what they most appreciated about our school district, and ideas for improvement,” she said. “It was clear that each person in the room had the Marysville and Tulalip communities at top of mind – and that all were deeply committed to the success of all of our children.”