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Tumwater district is recognized for its WASL gains; an Olympia foundation raises money for families in need

• Published September 28, 2009

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Districts have been sharing their good news with the community. Tumwater last week was recognized with Educational Service District 113's "Spirit of Leadership Award" for district-wide improvement and scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning over the years of 2006 through 2009. The ESD compared 44 local school districts, and determined that Tumwater had the highest combined gain and overall average percentage of students meeting the standard on all three sections of the WASL in grades 4, 7, and 10, Tumwater reported.

A bit of a follow up to the item I had last week: the Olympia School District Education Foundation Breakfast Fundraiser raised $13,000 for the Principals’ Checkbook Program, which allows school administrators to purchase items or services that have become a barrier for some students to attend school. Examples of this could be a lack of shoes or purchasing delousing shampoo. The Olympia School District Education Foundation, which mainly raises money for scholarships and classroom programs, has authorized principals to purchase these items for students without dealing with a lot of paperwork. Last year, the fund spent $14,000 to assist Olympia students in elementary and middle schools.

--- Venice Buhain, Olympian education reporter