Veteran's Day 2009

It was an absolute beautiful day as Washington Elementary, Washington City and the surrounding communities came together salute our Veterans. There was over fifty entries in the parades; 10 local bands, 6 Elementary schools, and numerous veterans marched down telegraph as many watched on and paid tribute to our country. Following the parade, the battle of the bands took place and winners were announced from the parade. Next a beautiful program was put on for the veterans. The flag ceremony was very moving and the National Anthem was sung by the Pine View High Trilogy. Elementary School choirs joined in and each school had a student read an essay on what veterans mean to them. Taps were played by Ferron Holt and a moment of silence, followed by the tolling to the bells. A lunch was provide for the veterans. Many stories were shared and friendship renewed. Thanks to all who helped out in putting this day together!!!

Make a Difference Day 2009

With the help of many parents and people in the community the Little Raskals made 50 throw quilts to give back to the community. The quilts were cut out, pinned, prebound and then on Saturday, Make a Difference Day, the school and community were invited to come and quilt. We had a great turn out! Thanks to all who helped! You truly made a difference. Quilts were donated to Hope Pregnancy, The Dove Center and other local charities. To see more photos log onto the school web page wes.washk12.org under the parent student tab you will see Little Raskals. Click on it for photos and upcoming events.

DO IT FOR DARBY

Dear Washington Eagle Parents! During the coming week, your child will be participating in a fundraising activity to help Darby Riley, a 5th grader at our school. I have challenged each Classroom University to raise $26.20 to help Darby Riley’s family purchase a prosthetic leg. As part of the challenge, I will run the St. George Marathon on October in Darby’s honor. Each mile will earn money for Darby.Here is how it will work:1. I will give each class a “Do It For Darby” Collection Chart and envelope.2. Students will being donations and put the money in the envelope. As money is donated, students will color in the chart.3. Each class will collect money until Friday, October 2. You will bring your money to the Marvin and Jessie Assembly on that morning.4. We will count the entire total. All classes that reach $26.20 will receive a purple ribbon to support Darby! Parents, you can help by giving your child an opportunity to earn some money and then letting them donate. Thank you. Mr. Staheli, principal

Hero Day 9/11

It was a beautiful day as the Washington Eagles gathered to remember those men, women, and children who lost thier lives on that tragic day when violence entered in our country. It was very touching to watch the f lag ceremony, as our service men and women passed the flag on to the younger students, a great showing of how hope moves us on. The flag was then raised up high and lowered to half staff. We all stood and sang the National Anthem and the said Pledge of Allegiance. Ally Calkins, and Brittany Anderson read their essays of what a Hero is. The third grade sang "God Bless the U.S.A" and our own safety patrol was sworn in. We shared a moment of silence, and everyone joined in with the closing song "God Bless America". Thanks to all our service men and women who came to share this day with us. It was a great day to show patriotism and love for our country.

Back To School Night

Our Back to school night was a big success!!!

We had a great turnout thanks to all the parents and students that attended. The students all received a new school t-shirt, thanks to the PTA.

Aren't they awesome!

We are a "No Excuses University"! We talked about all expectations for this year! It is exciting to be College Bound.

The teachers were introduced, and parents were able to visit each classroom.

The PTA had booths set up for joining, volunteering, and information.

Thanks to everyone that made this night a success.

"Relay for Life"

Washington jumped in with both feet and big hearts to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. In total, our school raised $1,064 in our “Quarters Against Cancer” Campaign. On Monday, April 20, students covered thousands of laps on our school track. Students also dedicated their mileage to loved ones who had battled with cancer.

"Washington Idol"

On Friday, April 17, Washington held our very own “Washington Idol” Talent Show. The students of Washington Elementary were lucky to be visited by Taylor Vaifanua, a finalist in this year’s American Idol competition. She wowed the audience with her amazing singing voice and then took the time to encourage the students to go for their dreams just like she did. Our students thanked her with flowers and a standing ovation

Mrs. Jenna Olsen

Mrs. Olson was chosen "The Best Teacher on the Planet" by 94.1 The Planet radio station. Mrs. Shelley nominated her - telling them that she is an intern driving down from Cedar City every day with a 5 year old son - and the first three months were with no pay because it was considered her student teaching. And that was back when gasoline was four bucks a gallon!!! She is fresh, inspiring, and willing to learn and do whatever it takes to get these kids to learn! She is amazing! She is also "Techno Savy" and does all our data entry, collection, and graph making. She is creative and resourceful. Her students adore her.

Dinner for Darby

Washington Elementary and the community would like to thank all who so amazingly supported the Dinner for Darby.. We appreciate all who helped with the bake sale, the silent auction, the craft corner, and the potluck dinner. Thanks also to the Washington Eagle Chorus and to the Tuacahn High School performers for sharing their talent with us.
Our grade level Professional Learning Communities are busily preparing for the upcoming Parent Conferences which will be held the week of February 23-27. During this school week, school will be excused each day at 1:15. During the conferences, parents will be reviewing the most updated assessment results. Our attendance goal is 100%. Parents, we encourage you to help your children succeed by taking this active role in their education.
Finally, kudos to Mrs. Kelly McDonald, a third grade teacher and after-school art instructor for the amazing work with the students on the 3-D fish. The projects are so lifelike and colorful!

Graff's 3rd grade Inauguration Speech

Inaugural Speech for Pres. Obama
Fellow citizens of our wonderful country…..
I’m glad to be your new president.
You are very supportive of our country and you are good citizens.
I hope this world will be peaceful while I serve as your President
Thank you so much for electing me.
Pres. Bush was a good president and I hope I can do this job as well as he did.
One of my goals is to end all wars.
Another goal is to lower taxes and help you keep your jobs.
I would like to keep oil prices low.
It is important for all children to get a good education. I want them to be able to go to college, so I hope the government can find some money to help with that.
Remember, it will take everyone in this country to do their part.
Let’s start by being involved in your communities. Be a volunteer, do good deeds and be a helpful person. If people will recycle things, our earth will be cleaner and last longer. Remember to always respect the flag, the United States of America and people of all races.
I’m proud to be an AMERICAN and hope that you are too!

"I'm Going to College"

- "NO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY" at Washington Elementary
Author: Burke Staheli, Washington Elementary

Just a few weeks back, a little kindergarten boy at our school walked up to his teacher's desk with the question, "Can I borrow your stapler?" The teacher replied by handing the stapler to the boy who immediately tried, without success, to cram it into his pockets, which were already filled with pencils, erasers, and other school supplies. As he waddled back toward his desk he was asked by his teacher what he was going to do with all the stuff that was in his pockets. His answer was instant, and powerful, "I'm going to college, Mrs. Burrell."
This school year, Washington Elementary in Washington County has adopted the "No Excuses" University model of education as we help each of our students build bridges to college through a combination of a Culture of Universal Achievement and the development of Exceptional Systems that promote resolutions rather than excuses. "No Excuses" University is a network of K-8 schools developed by Jeff King and Damon Lopez, former principals of Los Penasquitos Elementary School in California. Schools involved in the network share the common pledge that "we are committed to creating schools that know no limits to the academic success of each student." In practice, the No Excuses model has provided that "I can't wait to go to school" spark that all students, especially those from at –risk circumstances need to succeed.
It has been said that to change a school culture, one must first change the conversations. At Washington, our conversations are focused on learning and preparing students for college. From the moment students set foot on campus, they encounter symbols communicating the non-negotiable expectations that each of them will Put Forth Great Effort, Behave Responsibly, and Achieve Impressively. These expectations also carry over to teachers who have committed, more than ever before, to being "in the resolution business, not the excuse business."
No Excuses University Schools are characterized by the following traits:
1. A Universal Belief and Commitment that Every Child Achieve Academic Success: At the foundation of a "No Excuses University" (NEU) is the belief and commitment that every student, even those thought to be At-Risk and perhaps without promise, will achieve high levels of academic success, and by doing so will successfully prepare themselves to graduate from college. NEU staff members believe at their very core that these goals are possible and they display a daily commitment to making - what is but a dream to some, a reality for all. As a principal, this makes goal setting easy because the goals are always 100%. Then the work begins!
2. Maverick Spirit: No Excuses University Schools don't always live by the Status Quo! Having a Maverick Spirit means approaching your work with a bold confidence and doing what is right no matter the cost. Those with a Maverick Spirit take great pride in creating opportunities for every child to be successful, especially when others claim that doing so is impossible.
One of the goal setting philosophies common to each network school, is the creation of a B.H.A.G. (A Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Much like a team that starts the season out each year with the goal of winning a state championship, a school B.H.A.G. should be the ultimate of goals, it should keep the entire school energized and focused and it should require tremendous effort and a little luck to accomplish. At Washington we have extended the B.H.A.G. philosophy into our professional learning communities setting both team and individual big, hairy, audacious goals that help us to stretch ourselves and dream a little.
3. Academic Results: The one and only standard that "No Excuses University" schools judge themselves against is academic results. Make no mistake-Washington Elementary still provides an enriched, balanced, and supportive environment for children, but these characteristics fade in importance if every child is not first experiencing impressive academic success.
This intense focus on academic achievement has been an eye-opening shift in philosophy for our school, especially for me, the principal. In the past, I was content with students being content. I had the belief that if their bellies were full and they had smiles on their faces, school was a success. But as I looked at my own past in elementary school, and then looked at the success cycle of any child, I realized that nothing can match the confidence building power of truly "getting it" when it come to academics.
4. Conversation: At "No Excuses" University schools, conversations among teachers, staff, children, and parents unfailingly focus on learning and preparing for college. At the local grocery store or the gas station, the talk and the vision are a future that includes a post-high school education for our students. These conversations are critical, especially for students coming from a low socio-economic background where the vocabulary of a future college education may never be uncovered. Talking about college and preparing for college early in life creates a vision for all students regardless of economic class. NEU's have a single goal related to student achievement, and casual conversations that take place around campus every day and all day reinforce that commitment.
5. Powerful Symbolism: Probably the most visible , and the most fun element of a "No Excuses" University school is the symbolism related to preparing for college. From the moment students and parents step foot on campus, they encounter symbols that communicate the expectation and belief that each of our students are capable of doing well enough in school that they can one day attend college.
Within the school, each classroom has partnered with a college or university from across the country. At Washington, partnerships have been established with schools such as Ohio State, Oregon State, LSU, Boise State, and USC. Many of our classes have developed local ties with (in no particular order) BYU, Utah, Utah State, Southern Utah and Dixie State. On Mondays, are students wear the colors of their respective colleges and throughout the week, students repeat school fight songs and cheers. Students take online tours of the colleges and many classrooms receive weekly mail from their universities. This symbolism even extends to our school spirit shirts, which are emblazoned with the individual college graduating years of each class. This year's kindergartners, for example, are the class of 2025. It's never too soon to start talking about college.
Recently, our school held a Homecoming Parade celebrating each of the colleges and universities represented at Washington Elementary. Students painted faces, made banners, and created upbeat cheers to share as they marched around our school track to the rhythm of their school fight songs in unison with claps from the hands of their parents. The vision of the students marching together created a moving statement of what we might be capable of if we keep expectations high, believe in the ability of every child to succeed, and accept no excuses from any of our school stakeholders.
Michelangelo once said that "the greatest danger for most of us it not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it." At Washington, we are enthusiastic about the No Excuses University model for education. We understand that the greatest gift a teacher can give a student who brings challenges to school is to first support the child, and then demand exceptional effort and responsibility. No Excuses!