Greywolf Elementary School has been named a 2016 Title I Part A Distinguished School at the national level.
Title I, Part A is the largest part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, now called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It provides federal funding for eligible schools in order to ensure equal access to academic success in America’s public schools.
The National Title I Association created the National Title I Distinguished Schools Program to highlight schools that successfully use certain federal funds to improve the education for economically disadvantaged students.
“Our staff and students were thrilled when we received the news!”Greywolf principal Donna Hudson said. “This is a school-wide effort by our teachers, students, para- educators, secretaries, our counselor and our parents.”
Specifically, Greywolf Elementary received the award for “Closing the Achievement Gap in Math.” Greywolf Elementary eliminated the math achievement gap between students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers and are within three points of closing the achievement gap for low-income students and their non-low-income peers.
“While many schools in our nation struggle to close the achievement gap, Greywolf staff has used best practices, careful and intentional planning, and the expectation that all children can learn and succeed to improve the math scores for all of its students,” Dr. Ann Renker, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, said.
“We teach our kids every day that hard work and perseverance can lead to great things,” Hudson said. “This award reinforces our expectations for all students.”
In addition to a $10,000 prize, Greywolf is given funds to send staff members to the 2017 National Title I Association Conference in Long Beach, Calif.
“As their principal, I am proud of our staff and students. This award is about kids and Greywolf elementary is a school about kids,” Hudson said.
“Sequim School District is very proud of the efforts of the Greywolf staff,” Sequim schools superintendent Gary Neal said. “We are also proud of the work of the students and thank the parents and community for supporting this wonderful school.”
