News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Honor Kennewick School as January ‘Reading School of the Month’

KENNEWICK – Gov. Gary Locke and Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, today presented Washington Elementary School in Kennewick with the “Reading School of the Month” award for January 2003.

“No matter what you want to do when you grow up, you have to start by being a good reader,” Locke told Washington Elementary students. “Reading is the key to all academic success. I am so proud of all the progress Washington Elementary students have made in reading.”

Washington Elementary has consistently scored above the state average in the reading portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), and it continues to increase the number of students meeting or exceeding the standard.

“I am very proud of the accomplished young readers here at Washington,” Bergeson told the students. “The ability to read well is a valuable skill. It allows you to experience all kinds of adventure as well as helps build the knowledge you will need as you pursue your dreams.”

Washington Elementary was recognized last year as one of only 60 schools nationwide to receive a Title I Distinguished School Award from the U.S. Department of Education. The award honors successful reading programs.

Fifty-three percent of Washington Elementary students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.

Locke and Bergeson read “The Best Place to Read” by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom to an all-school assembly. They also presented an autographed copy of the book to the school.

Miss Washington 2002, Amanda Beers, also read to students and shared her success story. Despite a 50 percent hearing loss in both ears, Beers has become an accomplished, award-winning pianist.

The governor and the superintendent started the “Reading School of the Month” program in January 2002 to raise awareness about the importance of reading.



Related Links:
- School of the Month
- Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction


» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington