Moses Lake, Quincy schools receive high marks

Five schools acknowledged for learning improvements

COLUMBIA BASIN - Four Moses Lake schools and a Quincy school were each named a "School of Distinction" by the state.

According to state Superintendent's Office, 86 schools in Washington received Learning Improvement Awards and received the title of distinction.

Chief Moses Middle School, Peninsula Elementary School, Lakeview Terrace Elementary School and North Elementary School were named, along with Quincy High School at a ceremony Oct. 10 in Des Moines, Wash.

"This award is a tribute to the teachers, classified staff, parents, students and principals in the schools," said Moses Lake School District Superintendent Steve Chestnut. "It's been a real team effort."

Chestnut said only Seattle and Yakima School Districts received more awards than Moses Lake.

"We were pretty proud of that," he said.

At the ceremony, Chestnut gave a speech representing the school district and the Washington Association of School Administrators.

In his speech, Chestnut spoke about the death of North Elementary School's Principal, Loren Fitting. Fitting died of a heart attack Sept. 25.

Chestnut said Fitting was an award-winning principal who was well known for his work as an educator.

"If Loren were here today, he would be the first to say that the reason that North Elementary received this award was because of the great work of his teachers, classified staff, parents and community members," Chestnut said in his speech. "The theme that Loren chose for North Elementary this year described his belief in teamwork - 'As one we are bright, but together we shine.'"

Quincy School District Superintendent Burton Dickerson attended the awards ceremony with the district's director of student achievement, two district board members, Quincy High School Principal Chris McKnight, high school counselors, a math teacher and an English teacher.

"It was a very proud moment for this school district to see the high school receive that award," Dickerson said.

He said the high school's accomplishment is a testament to the staff's hard work and the growth being made in student learning. The award represents efforts from across the district, he said.

According to the state, award recipients are among the top 5 percent of schools showing significant growth in reading and math in the past six years.

At Chief Moses Middle School, 60.2 percent of seventh-grade students passed the math portion of the WASL, compared with 21.1 percent in 2000.

In 2006, 75.8 percent of the students passed the reading portion of the WASL, compared with 30.7 percent in 2006.

Peninsula, Lakeview Terrace and North Elementary Schools were the other Moses Lake schools found by the state to show significant improvement in math and reading.

In 2006, 51 percent of Quincy High School students passed the 10th grade math portion of the WASL, compared with 24.6 percent in 2000.

In 2006, 77.9 percent of the students passed the 10th-grade reading portion of the WASL, compared with 47.7 percent in 2000.