Shadow Lake Elementary named a School of Distinction

Shadow Lake Elementary School is one of only 53 elementary schools in the state to be selected as a School of Distinction for 2011.

The award was announced Oct. 9 by The Center for Educational Effectiveness in Redmond. The award recognizes Shadow Lake for its steady improvement in reading and math scores over a five-year period as compared to other schools in Washington.

“As a staff we are committed to meeting the individual student’s needs both academically and socially,” said Christina Everett, principal. “In the Tahoma School District we have finely crafted curriculum and instruction practices that support all student learning.

“This recognition only validates our collaborative efforts of providing quality learning for every child, in every classroom, every day,” she said.

Everett and her staff were honored by Superintendent Mike Maryanski, Assistant Superintendent Nancy Skerritt and Associate Director of Teaching and Learning Dawn Wakeley on Oct. 20 when the school was presented with a banner in recognition of its award.

This is the fifth year that School of Distinction awards have been made. In addition to the Center for Educational Effectiveness, these organizations sponsor and help select schools that are honored for academic achievement: the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD); the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP); Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter (PDK-WA), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington State ASCD and Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).