Two schools win state award
Indian Trail Elementary and Deer Park High School were on a list of 100 schools in the state named Schools of Distinction this week by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The State Superintendent’s Learning Improvement Award goes to the top 5 percent of elementary, middle and high schools and alternative schools that have shown progress in raising student achievement in math and reading during a six-year period.
The OSPI evaluates WASL scores in determining which schools deserve recognition. The principal of each “School of Distinction” received a trophy and banner to display.
Other Spokane County schools receiving the recognition include Liberty Lake Elementary and Cheney High School.
Eastern Washington schools also receiving the award include Springdale Elementary, Sadie Halstead Middle School in Newport, Tekoa High School, Rosalia Elementary and Secondary School, Odessa Middle and High School, Columbia High and Elementary, Colville High School and Selkirk Junior-Senior High.
Mead band fifth at state
The Mead High School marching band recently competed in the 12th annual McKenzie Classic Marching Band and Color Guard Invitational at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Wash. In the preliminary competition, Mead placed fourth in Open Class with a score of 82.4. In the finals the school placed fifth overall out of 14 schools, with the band from Central Valley High School coming in sixth.
LC holds mock election
As the current election inches to a close, Lewis and Clark High School students will have an opportunity to participate in a mock election of their own.
Friday all students will vote on six real issues, listed on the Spokane County ballot, including the presidential election, governor for the state of Washington, Superintendent of Public Instruction, U.S. representative for District 5, state legislative District 3 for state senator, and Initiative 1000.
Lewis and Clark social studies teachers came together as a group and decided on the six issues students would vote on in the mock election. They also committed to teaching lessons on the issues, so that the students understood what they would be voting for.
Voting will take place electronically in the high school library, where students will be able to vote all day. The election results will be tallied by 3 p.m. Friday, but the results will be reported on Monday on the student news program, “Tiger Growl,” according to Lewis and Clark teacher Dave Hughes.
The teachers at the high school believe there’s a huge purpose for the mock election. “It teaches rights and responsibilities and increases the odds that they (the students) will vote and feel comfortable voting when they turn 18,” Hughes said.
For details on the Lewis and Clark High School election, e-mail Hughes at davehu@spokaneschools.org.
Diversity workshop planned
Jim Valley, a songwriter and educator, will bring his Rainbow Planet workshop to the Tessera and Odyssey students at Libby Center, Monday through Friday.
For Valley’s workshop, the students have written a poem that he will help make a song and put on a CD. The kids will also be singing, dancing and learning sign language.
Valley’s message to children through his workshops and assemblies is to help children get along and embrace diversity. According to his Web site, he promotes the nurturing of a child’s creativity from the heart, feelings and emotions. His song, Rainbow Planet, focuses on the message “I am special, you are special, we are special together.”
Deborah Johnson, principal at Libby Center, said “I think it will be a lot for character development. It will allow us to recognize our strengths and our differences through acceptance of each other.”
For more information about Jim Valley, visit www.rainbowplanet.com.
School honors veterans
Meadow Ridge Elementary is honoring veterans next Thursday at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., at the school, 15601 N. Freya St.
The Army National Guard will assist as the honor guard and will be among 250 Meadow Ridge students singing patriotic songs.
To join in the celebration or for more information call Meadow Ridge Principal Marilyn Brennan or music teacher Gina Schell at 465-6600.