Education Notebook: Hutton principal honored for leadership

Thu., Oct. 11, 2012

By Rainey Coffin raineyc@spokesman.com (509) 459-5434

Hutton Elementary Principal Chuck Demarest was recognized for his positive attitude, genuine thoughtfulness of his staff and students and forward thinking when he was recently named the Dick Stannard Distinguished Elementary Principal of the Year.

The award is named for a Spokane Public Schools’ principal who died in 1996. According to a press release from Spokane Public Schools, the special recognition honors principals who show purposeful leadership, excel at instructional leadership and resource development and possess exemplary interpersonal skills.

A nominator in the release described Demarest as “a problem solver who maintains excellent judgment and wisdom beyond his years. Mr. Demarest maintains a high degree of integrity and is highly respected by all constituencies in our school district and in our community, a respect that he has certainly earned through his work.”

Pacific Science Center to visit Moran Prairie school

The Pacific Science Center will bring hands-on science activities to Moran Prairie Elementary School Monday and Tuesday.

Representatives from the center will bring displays and lead discussions and activities in classrooms and during science assemblies.The Pacific Science Center visits the school every other year, funded by Moran Prairie’s Parent/Teacher Group.

Drug awareness raising will include decorating contest

Students are invited to join the National Family Partnership’s contest celebrating the 27th annual Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.

Red Ribbon Week began in 1988 after a Drug Enforcement Administration agent was killed and parents, students and teachers across the country started wearing red ribbons to raise drug awareness. Spokane students and their families can continue to raise awareness and help their school by decorating the front of their home with ribbons and signs that illustrate the 2012 message, “The Best Me Is Drug Free.” Ten winners nationwide will receive a new iPad and a $1,000 grant for their school.

To enter the contest, participants need to take a photo of their home, decked out in Red Ribbon decorations and signs and upload it to www.redribbon.org/contest, or www.facebook.com/RedRibbon Week, by Nov. 2.

From Nov. 2 through Nov. 16, individuals can vote for their favorite entry at www.redribbon.org/vote. The winners will be announced at the winning schools in December.

School-meal applications must be turned in by Monday

Students in Spokane Public Schools will need to turn in free or reduced-price meal applications by Monday. Beginning Tuesday, students who were on the meal program during the 2011-’12 school year, but have not turned in their applications will be changed to paid meal status.

Meal applications must be received and processed before Tuesday to ensure uninterrupted meal benefits.

To participate in the free or reduced-price meal program, a new application is required every school year; only one application is needed per family; families may apply at any time during the school year and once the family is qualified, the application is good for the full school year.

For more information and to fill out an application visit www.spokaneschools.org.>

LC accepting donations for student clothing bank

Lewis and Clark High School’s Tiger Closet is now open. LC students in need can stop by the closet on Monday, from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m., and Thursday, from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m.

The closet is taking donations of clean, gently used clothing, shoes and coats. Hooded sweatshirts are in great demand, along with new socks and undergarments. Toiletries, such as soaps or shampoos, are also needed. Donations may be dropped off at the LC Public Office.

For details and more information call the school office at (509) 354-7000.

Ferris expects 150 vendors for Oct. 20-21 craft fair

Local residents are invited to the 20th annual Ferris High School Craft Fair on Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the new Ferris Commons.

More than 150 vendors are expected from Spokane, Seattle, Portland, the Tri-Cities and Sandpoint. Craft items include soaps, candles, pottery, art, quilts, jewelry, bath and body items and wood furniture.

The Saxon Fair, put on by the class of 2013, will help raise funds for the Senior All-Nighter.

St. George’s student named National AP Scholar

Students at St. George’s School earned AP Scholar status for their academic excellence on their college-level Advanced Placement Program exams.

Jasper Danielson was named National AP Scholar, given to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of the exams.

Graduates for 2012 Carla Anderson, Joseph Caputo, Jasper Danielson, Te Du, Evan Dyer, Yihui Li, Jack McGougan, Kellen Mohr, Kylie Mohr, Karl Muelheims and Gabriella Peterson, and current seniors Liz Alexianu and Bruce Culbertson were named AP Scholar with Distinction, given to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more exams.

Graduates for 2012 Carson Ferries, Alixandra Saucier, Versha Sinha and Ajay Vishwanath, and current seniors Brenna Russell, Taryn Stamper and Sarah Wagstaff were named AP Scholar with Honor, given to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of the exams.

Graduates for 2012 Morgan Cambareri, Nathan Graham, Yimeng Hou, Yoonjae Kim, Scott Mackay and Abby Sturbaum, and current seniors Myra Ahmad, Sarah Bertis, Danielle Burns, David Caulkins, Justin Heftel, Howard Mark Kenney Jr., Hannah Kwasman, Trevor Lewis, Niklas Ostersmith and Alexandra Wert were named AP Scholar, given to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.