New Dp Principal Looks Forward To Task

Thu., Aug. 27, 1998

By Kevin Blocker kevinb@spokesman.com

New Deer Park Elementary School Principal Michelle Kent has high expectations of herself.

“I want to help Deer Park Elementary become the best school it can possibly be,” Kent said. “This is a great opportunity for me to work as a principal in a wonderful school district.”

A graduate of West Valley High School, Kent earned a bachelor’s in education in 1981 and a master’s in education in 1990 from Eastern Washington University. She earned her principal’s certification from EWU in 1998.

She was selected principal by a committee of staff members and community volunteers.

Kent replaces Bob Rundell, who retired after 23 years at the school.

After teaching kindergarten in Bonner County, Idaho, from 1981-83, Kent moved back to Spokane and taught for the past 15 years in the Central Valley School District at Progress Elementary.

She taught kindergarten through third grade, was the Central Valley School District’s elementary math/ science coordinator from 1987-97, and principal designee at Progress from 1989-93. She has been an adjunct professor at EWU during the summers since 1992.

G-Prep awards scholarships

Gonzaga Prep High School Principal Al Faulkner announced the names of nine Prep students from the North Side who received or renewed scholarships for the 1998-99 school year.

Students receiving scholarships for the first time are sophomores James Pakootas, Luke Orland and Justin Frankovic; and freshman Peter Noble.

Students whose scholarships were renewed were all seniors. They are Marc Cote, Jane Provinsal, David Egly, Andrea Conrath and Jon Jurich.

ECEAP accepting applications

Deer Park’s Early Childhood Education Assistance Program is accepting applications for the 1998-99 school year. The program is designed to help children develop school readiness and social skills.

Enrollment is based on date of application, previous ECEAP or Headstart enrollment, the child’s age, specific needs and low-income status.

Children who turn 4 by Aug. 31 will be given priority, but ECEAP will also accommodate 3-year-olds as space allows.

There are two program options. In the first option, preschoolers are served in a morning or afternoon site-based program at the Deer Park Developmental Center in Clayton, Wash.

The second option is a home-based program operating through Zion Lutheran Church.

Applications are available at the Deer Park School District Office, E. 908 Crawford; the Deer Park Post Office, 19 S. Vernon; the Deer Park Clinic, 1015, E. D St.; and at local doctors’ offices.

For more information call Paula Stone at Special Services, 276-5776, or the school district office, 276-5051.

Open house tonight

Mead Middle School is hosting an open house for seventh-grade students from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight. For more information call 465-7400.

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