School Districts Reporting More Students Than Last Year

Enrollment figures for the first month of school are in. Here is the September tally from three North Side school districts.

Riverside: The district has 2,203 students this year, about 63 more than expected.

It’s a reversal of the last two years when the district ended up not having as many students as it anticipated, said Kathy Stroyan, the district’s business manager.

Deer Park: It’s enrollment of 1,804 students is an all-time high. But the district was expecting more.

For the last two years, Deer Park has grown at an enrollment rate of 6 percent a year. District officials budgeted for a similar growth year but only saw a 2 percent increase.

The lower figures will result in some budget alterations, according to district superintendent Glenys Hill.

Nine Mile Falls: The district is reporting 1,514 students. It was expecting 1,444. The bulk of the district’s enrollment growth took place in grades six through 12.

“We tend to grow at the middle and high school level,” said superintendent Don Baumberger. “It’s been that way for 10 years.”

G-Prep students recognized

Six Gonzaga Prep students from the North Side are among 11 seniors named Commended Students in the 1999 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students who earn Commended Students status placed among the top 5 percent of more than one million students who entered the 1997 Merit Program by taking the 1997 PSAT.

They are Gabe Bloom, Michael Bradley, Ben Jabara, John Pegg, Drew Piper and Patrick Webinger.

Mt. Spokane student recognized

Mt. Spokane High School senior, Tony Cotto, has been recognized as a Scholar Finalist in the National Hispanic Recognition Program, school principal Pete Lewis announced.

The National Hispanic Recognition Program is a College Board program that provides national recognition of exceptional academic achievements of Hispanic high school seniors for post secondary institutions.

MMS gets Internet

Every classroom in Mead Middle School now has access to the Internet.

On Oct. 20, Cathy Parise, the Technology Coordinator for the Office of the State Superintendent of Schools, will train staff in the use of Internet to support classroom instruction.

A technology committee, comprised of staff and a community member, has been formed and meets on a regular basis. It will draft a technology plan for Mead Middle School.

Linwood needs help

Linwood Elementary School is looking for reading volunteers for its students. Morning hours are preferred, the school is accepting afternoon help as well.

For more information call Linwood Elementary at 353-4494.