Sponsored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education, the Washington Achievement Award is based on test scores, graduation rates and closing achievement gaps.

■Federal Way Public Academy received honors for overall excellence. This award goes to schools whose overall two-year test score average puts them in the top five percent of schools. FWPA was also recognized for outstanding science education.

■Nautilus K-8 was recognized for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

(L-R) State Board of Education Member Judy Jennings, Nautilus K-8 representatives — Instructional Coach Deana Mosby, Principal Stacy Lucas and School Psychologist Nash Perkins — SBE Member Dr. Kristina Mayer and State Superintendent Randy Dorn, following the presentation of the Washington Achievement Award on April 30.

Federal Way Public Academy Principal Kurt Laurer, second from left, accepts the school’s Washington Achievement Award from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy Dorn, far right, and State Board of Education members Judy Jennings and Dr. Kristina Mayer.

Highline President Jack Bermingham (center) presents Trise Moore (left) and Nathan Phillips (right) with Outstanding Community Partner awards.

Highline’s president, Dr. Jack Bermingham, made the announcement at the college’s semi-annual Community Networking Breakfast on May 1. A college committee selects community partners to be highlighted at each breakfast. Moore and Nathan Phillips, the Director of the South King Council of Human Services, shared the recognition.

Moore has served as the Family and Community Partnership Director for Federal Way Public Schools since 2003, spearheading the district’s efforts to improve student achievement by building programs that break down barriers to success and empower parents to have a key role in their child’s education.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education.

Board member Claire Wilson addresses parents at the Partnership 101 session at Valhalla on April 17.

In the workshop, parents:

• Identify ways they can gain a greater understanding of their children’s strengths and interests.
• Participate in role-playing parent/teacher conversations and learn key tips on becoming effective communicators.
• Develop a clear step-by-step framework and ideas for helping guide their students to educational success from kindergarten to college.
• Complete their own one-page involvement plan to use as a resource in future meetings with others (teachers, counselor, mentors or other supportive family members) that will help them support their student’s success.

So far this year, the Family and Community Partnership Office has offered Partnership 101 at 10 schools around the district, and at a variety of apartment complexes. A recent Partership 101 event at Valhalla Elementary attracted at least 30 parents. The Valhalla team – teachers, specialists, and family liaison – worked together to coordinate the event.

There are only a couple of Partnership 101 workshops left this year, but more will be offered next year.

The next Partnership 101 workshop will be offered for Sunnycrest Elementary families, May 17, 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Appian Way Apartments, 25818 26th Pl. S.,  Kent, WA 98032.

More information about the Family and Community Partnership Program is available on our website.

Registration for most elementary schools runs from April 30 through May 15, during regular school hours.

The dates of Kindergarten Roundup programs at each school can be found on the district webpage, http://tinyurl.com/ckt2z8m.

“Whether it’s resource conservation, environmental protection or encouraging positive actions by others through education, King County’s Earth Heroes are true champions who lead the way for others to follow,” said Executive Constantine.

This year,  two FWPS teachers, five other FWPS school employees and Silver Lake Elementary were among the individuals and schools honored.

Above: Sacajawea Principal  JoAnne Landis,  Communities in Schools Outreach Coordinator Kahanu Kahoonei, Head Custodian Romi Celestial, Assistant Principal Scott Haines, with King County Deputy Executive (far left) and King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson (far right). Olympic View Custodian Emeterio Marzan and Project Green Teacher Leader Pam Pierovich, with the King County reps.

Silver Lake Administrative Assistant Paul Reid, Principal Kristi White, Teacher Crystal Godsiff, and Library Clerk Cindy Hsu.

Teachers:

Greg Phillips – Todd Beamer High School 
Working closely with administrative, cafeteria and custodial staff, Greg Phillips started a recycling program in the lunchroom. He recruited student volunteers to monitor the recycling stations for proper sorting. By promoting student involvement in the program, he has conveyed to students that they can make a difference in their community.

Maggie Pierce – Illahee Middle School

Attention to proper sorting, incentives for participation, and promotion of the benefits of recycling all contributed to the success of the program which has resulted in a 70 percent reduction in lunch waste.Realizing that recycling in the cafeteria had lapsed over the years, Maggie Pierce enlisted the help of students and staff to revive the program.

Administrators and other staff:

Romanito Celestial, Kahanu Kahoonei and Scott Haines – Sacajawea Middle School 

To revive a lapsed lunchroom recycling program, administrative staff Kahanu Kahoonei and Scott Haines, and custodian Romanito Celestial worked together to set up the program, recruit student volunteers to monitor the system, and coordinate efforts to promote participation. The efforts resulted in an 80 percent reduction in lunch waste.

Patti Huston and Emeterio Marzan – Olympic View Elementary School
Custodians Patti Huston and Emeterio Marzan have been vital to the success of Olympic View Elementary’s recycling program. They have shown students how to properly sort recyclable materials and have willingly and diligently emptied lunchroom recycling containers. They are a friendly, visible and helpful presence.  Emeterio spoke about our responsibility of taking care of our earth.

Schools:

Silver Lake Elementary School  

Staff and students at Silver Lake Elementary started a recycling program in the cafeteria to sort milk cartons, food scraps, and other recyclables from the garbage. As a result they have reduced the weekly garbage volume from eight to four cubic yards, lowered the monthly garbage bill by $81, and increased recycling. The school is on its way to achieving Level One of the King County Green Schools Program.

For more information about the Earth Heroes at School Program, contact Donna Miscolta at donna.miscolta@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-4477.

Read about other districts’ winners, too. 

Testing covers one subject per day, with the writing test occurring on two days. Students are tested in reading (grades 3-8), mathematics (grades 3-8) writing (grades 4 and 7) and science (grades 5 and 8).

The 2013 MSP testing windows are:

• Apr 24–May 16: MSP paper/pencil testing window
• Apr 24–May 31: MSP online testing window