Pioneer Elementary School is one of two schools in the state to be awarded the Washington 2009-10 Title I, Part A Distinguished School Award.

Pioneer was recognized for exceptional student progress in reading in grades K-5 for two or more years. Pioneer soars above the state average in reading in grades 3, 4 and 5, as measured by the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

Additionally, Pioneer successfully has closed the achievement gap in reading in grades 3, 4 and 5 in the following subgroups: low income; limited English; and Hispanic.

Pioneer will be honored at the 2010 National Title I Conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21-24. Pioneer also will receive state-level recognition and $5,000.

• The Auburn Mountainview High School Marching Band and Color Guard won second place overall at the Auburn Veterans Day Field Show Competition. Additionally, the color guard, captained by Adrienne Dunham and Lindsay Beldon, received first place for Best Color Guard among the entire division. The Percussion group earned second place overall.

In addition, the marching band and color guard captured the inaugural Sunset Marching Band Festival at Sumner High School. They performed “Phantasm” and “Roar of the Lions.” Drum Major Samantha Fix was awarded Best Drum Major.

• The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Lisa Gallinatti, teacher-librarian at Auburn Riverside High, for her outstanding service. Gallinatti works collaboratively with teachers to equip students with 21st century research skills. Students learn how to navigate through an information-rich society.

Hat’s off

Scobee Elementary School’s associated student body raised $226 for the Heavenly Hats Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to provide brand-new hats for cancer patients and other medical patients who lose their hair due to a disease or the treatment of a disease.

Typically, hats are not allowed at school per school dress code, but on Oct. 16, anyone who donated $1 to the Heavenly Hats Foundation could bypass the rule and wear a hat to school all day. Some students opted to sport their favorite Seahawks cap while others selected Cat in the Hat style hats, Woody Woodpecker hats or Goofy hats. For students who did not have a hat to wear to school, the ASB provided brand-new visors that students bought with their $1 donation and kept afterward for their personal use.

Mark it down

• Auburn Mountainview DECA students Heather Odell and Nichola Usher are hosting the first annual Entrepreneurship Exposition from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 21 at Auburn Mountainview High School, 28900 124th Ave. SE. The expo is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning how to launch their own business.

• Auburn Mountainview will host an organ registry drive at the Auburn Public Library from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 28. All Auburn-area students and community members are encouraged to sign up to donate the day of the event.

Auburn Mountainview High School DECA students Emily Ness, Maggie Henderson and Monica Trainor kicked off the awareness and education campaign. They hope to increase organ donation participation.

Elsewhere

• Teachers Nancy Olsten and Thomas Parsons of West Auburn High School received a $5,000 Student Achievement Grant from the NEA Foundation to deepen critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for at-risk students.

The grantees will introduce global issues through cross-curricular, activity-based learning.

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