Auburn Mountainview High School, Rainier Middle School and Gildo Rey Elementary School are the 2009 Linda Cowan Schools of Distinction Award winners.
The Auburn School Board, Superintendent Kip Herren and former Superintendent Linda Cowan presented the awards to the students and staff of the three schools during school-wide assemblies in June.
The award annually recognizes one high school, one middle school and one elementary school for academic achievement growth within at-risk student populations. All schools receive a plaque and monetary award. The high school level winner receives $3,000; the middle level $2,000; and the elementary level $1,000. The award encourages schools to continue their efforts in closing the achievement gap for all students.
The award honors Cowan, former school superintendent, for her 30 years of service in the school district, 40 years total in public education, and for her dedication to improving the quality of education for all children.
Elsewhere
Auburn High graduate Travis Newman, son of Dale and Kathleen Newman, will attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. this fall. Newman plans to major in environmental science. He was accepted to Rocky Mountain College based on his educational performance, which includes his high school grade point average, course selection, ACT or SAT scores, and letters of recommendation. …
The school board recently recognized Jim Robinson, trades technician, for his outstanding service. Robinson, trades technician in the carpenter shop, has dedicated 21 years of service to the school district. From re-carpeting floors to repairing walls, he works on all carpentry-related projects in the district. He is also skilled in equipment installation and other jobs such as repairing lockers, cutting keys and cleaning gutters and downspouts. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Robinson said. “I enjoy the variety of what I do.” …
Lori Jacobs, Auburn High School marketing and DECA instructor, has been awarded a $1,000 Target/DECA Teacher Scholarship to pursue professional development training in the field of marketing or management. Target awarded a total of three scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to high school advisors/marketing education teachers for professional development on the basis of the applicant’s: partnerships with Target; DECA participation; leadership ability; and community involvement. …
Chris Jaques, Auburn Riverside High graduating senior, captured first place in the Computer Maintenance Technology (CMT) competition at the National SkillsUSA Tournament in Kansas City on June 21-26. Jacques earned his way to nationals after placing first at the state contest in April at Yakima. The CMT contest requires contestants to identify and repair computer hardware malfunctions, solve configuration problems and install common components. …
Mt. Baker and Rainier middle schools will have new start and end times for the school day. Students will attend school from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All other schools in the district will have the same start and end times as occurred in the 2008-09 school year. … Terminal Park Elementary School was awarded the Washington Reading Corps Grant for the 2009-2011 school years. The Corps’ mission is to improve reading abilities of young students across Washington through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaboration among schools, families, community members, national service, business and state partners. Terminal Park will receive the support of four AmeriCorps members and one VISTA member to implement the program. …
For the fourth year in a row, Pioneer Elementary secured a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to provide an afternoon snack of fresh fruits and vegetables to all students during the upcoming 2009-10 school year. The nutritious snack also will be available in the school office for staff, parents, siblings and visitors. … Terminal and Pioneer elementary schools received the state’s 2009 Title I, Part A Improvement Award. Both schools will receive an award of $2,335 to be used to support the school’s continuing efforts to increase student academic success. The funds are provided through No Child Left Behind.
