Cowiche school's reading program honored nationally

COWICHE -- The Highland School District's elementary school has received national recognition for improving students' reading ability.

Marcus Whitman Cowiche Elementary received a National Distinguished School award from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, one of only two schools in the state to be so honored. The other was Crownhill Elementary in Bremerton.

Principal Janice Sauve credited the staff for working together to support all students.

"They want success for every student that walks through the door, and their hard work has shown that is what is happening," Sauve said.

Four district represen-tatives will attend a January conference in Washington, D.C., for formal recognition of the school's accomplishment.

The district also receives $10,000, which officials can use as they want to improve education at the school.

The award was based on the school's accomplishment in boosting the percentage of students who are passing the reading portion of the state-mandated WASL test.

The percentage of third-graders passing the test went from 58 percent in the 2005-06 school year to 75 percent last year. The statewide average last year was 71 percent.

Examples of the staff's efforts to improve reading include setting aside extra reading time for students during recess and organizing literacy nights, where students and their parents meet at school to learn reading skills. A grant provides free books for each student.

The district receives funding to improve math and reading through the federal Title 1 program, which targets low-income children.

Three-quarters of Marcus Whitman students are on the free or reduced-price lunch program. Forty percent are bilingual, and 21 percent are migrant students, according to the school district.

* Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.