The Washington State School Directors Association has recognized the Auburn School District Board of Directors as a Board of Distinction.
Auburn is one of only 10 large districts in the state to earn the honor.
The Board of Distinction program recognizes school boards that demonstrate alignment with the Washington School Board Standards. The rigorous standards include non-negotiable goals for student achievement, learning essentials, evaluation of the superintendent and a focus on closing the achievement gap.
“This award represents the excellent work the board and district do to support each and every student, the staff and community,” said ASD Board President Ray Vefik.
Board members are Vefik, Robyn Mulenga, Laurie Bishop, Laura Theimer and Ryan Van Quill.
Staff earns grant
Renton South King Retired School Employees Association, Unit 19, has awarded mini grants, totaling $500, to teaching staff at Lea Hill Elementary School.
The check was presented to the Auburn School Board at its regular meeting on Nov. 26. Principal Ed Herda and four of the five teacher recipients were there to accept the check.
The association, which serves Renton, Auburn, Kent and Tahoma school districts, provides mini grants on a yearly rotation to each of its service districts. Last year the association provided Tahoma High School with mini grants, and next year Renton School District will be the recipient of the mini grant program.
Awards provide much- needed supplies to augment curriculum, activities and special projects to improve learning and help teachers reach goals set for the school year to boost students’ learning experiences.
This year mini grants will fund hand drums for the music program, books for second grade reading that reflect and value race, culture, language and the value of the uniqueness of the students’ diversity, headphones so students can listen to conversations that are individually paced and specific to social and emotional learning, much-needed book bins to store reading and work books, and materials to further enhance counseling curriculum.
Renton South King is made up of retired public school employees – certified and classified. Its next big project is a retirement seminar on March 23 at Madison House in Kirkland. All public school employees under Pension Plans 2 or 3 TRS/PERS/SERS may attend. Contact rstroben@msn.com for more information.
Elsewhere
Skyler Erben of Auburn graduated from Pacific University (Ore.) with a bachelor’s degree in economics. … Kaiser Permanente has joined with Washington STEM to support smart, scalable solutions that lead to opportunities for those students most underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields. Washington’s students – particularly students of color, girls and young women, and students from low-income and rural communities – need access to more STEM learning to ensure they have the skills they need to succeed at high-demand careers and continue growing Washington’s economy. Kaiser Permanente’s 2-year, $1.2 million partnership will help fund STEM programs in schools throughout the state. The new investment will build on active partnerships with Washington STEM’s regional networks and dozens of school systems throughout the regions, including the largest systems in the state – Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma.