NEWS RELEASE
    October 10, 2007
    For more information:
    Mary Waggoner, 425-385-4049
    Evergreen Middle School's academic achievement and leadership honored twice in one week
    This week Evergreen Middle School was named one of 86 "Schools
    of Distinction" by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
    (OSPI), and Evergreen Principal Joyce Stewart was named
    Outstanding Administrator by the Washington Organization for
    Reading Development (WORD). "Both honors demonstrate
    Evergreen Middle School's commitment to student success," said
    Superintendent Carol Whitehead. "We are very proud of the work
    being done at Evergreen to improve student learning and that it is
    being recognized by others in the state."
    With the "School of Distinction" award, OSPI recognized Evergreen's
    dramatic improvements in reading and mathematics. All together,
    the 86 honored "Schools of Distinction" represent the top 5% in the
    state whose students'reading and math skills have grown
    extraordinarily over the last six years. To be considered for the
    award, each school had to meet this year's WASL reading and math
    targets as well as have an impressive, long-term track record of
    student learning growth. Evergreen is among only 20 Washington
    state middle schools to be honored this year. Across the state 51 elementary schools were named as were 15 high schools -
    out of nearly 2,500 schools in the state.
    The same day Stewart received confidential notification about the OSPI recognition, her staff surprised her with the WORD
    award. Stewart was nominated by her colleague and president of the Everett Reading Council, Beth Shipe, who says, "Joyce
    leads her staff with enthusiasm and dedication, pledging to do whatever it takes to ensure that all Evergreen students become
    successful learners that meet and exceed our high standards."
    To achieve such academic success at Evergreen Middle School, Stewart promotes education in many ways. She has
    instituted changes in the master schedule so staff can work together on teams. Students write daily in all classrooms to
    become more proficient in writing. Sixth-graders are given specifically targeted lessons, and seventh -grade students keep
    three different composition books in writing, science and math to chronicle their thinking and learning. When students needed
    additional opportunities for learning, Stewart found a way to fund a late after-school bus so students could stay after school to
    receive extra help with academics.
    "She is instrumental in helping staff align grade-level expectations with assessments and curriculum, supporting this effort with
    time and resources," says Shipe.
    Evergreen has celebrated student performance gains over Stewart's tenure as principal, most recently in 2007:
    l
    Evergreen met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) benchmarks in every content area and subgroup.
    l
    At 12.6%, our 7th grade reading cohort growth from '06 to '07 more than doubled the rate of growth at any other district
    middle school.
    l
    With a 5.5% improvement over last year, the eighth-grade block team tallied the second-highest rate of reading
    improvement among district middle schools.
    "Joyce Stewart is an exemplary building principal," saysWhitehead. "She is able to help students and staff excel in ways they
    do not believe to be possible."
    Evergreen's honor was featured in the October 16, 2007
    edition of
    The Herald
    .
    everett
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    http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/everett/10-10-07
    5/18/2009

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