Gildo Rey Elementary School has earned a National ESEA Distinguished School Award, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction announced this week.

The award recognizes Gildo Rey’s exceptional academic achievement during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 school years.

Gildo Rey is one of only two schools in Washington named as a National ESEA Distinguished School this year. The award comes with $25,000 for Gildo Rey to support its continued effort to serve high quality educational programs to students.

“This award is a great testimony to the hard work of our students and staff,” said Lenny Holloman, Gildo Rey principal. “Our community should be so proud. At Gildo Rey, all … kids are all of our kids. We live this vision and this recognition serves as another example.”

Teacher honored

The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Evanne Aarstad, teacher at Lea Hill Elementary, as the outstanding staff member of the month at Monday’s board meeting.

Aarstad, who has has been in the ASD for over four years, previously taught in Texas, and in the Sumner, Kent and Dieringer districts. She teaches kindergarten through third grade in the Pathways program, where students have significant social/emotional and behavioral needs.

“I love working with the most challenging kids,” she said.

Ed Herda, principal of Lea Hill, added: “Evanne is a special forces version of a teacher – the best of the best.”

Aarstad earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Puget Sound, her master’s degree from Walden University and an English language certificate from Western Governor’s University.

Elsewhere

The school board also recognized Morgan Adkins, a fifth-grader at Alpac Elementary, as the outstanding student of the month. Adkins was selected for always being respectful, responsible and safe. She is part of Safety Patrol, participates in the drama club and Soccer for Success program. Teacher Julie McKenzie said: “Morgan is dedicated to helping other students and makes them feel special.” …

Terri Lundberg of Auburn has been recognized for achieving academic distinction at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Lundberg, majoring in psychology, was named to the dean’s list at UMass Lowell for spring semester. To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have completed no fewer than 12 graded credits for the semester and earned at least a 3.25 grade-point average with no grade lower than C and without any incompletes.