I am deeply saddened with the passing of my mentor and friend Jerry Harding.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and associate with Jerry these past years.  Jerry was an excellent leader who cared more about others than his own needs.  Kindness, integrity, wisdom, and humor are the characteristics about Jerry I always appreciated.  The Kittitas community was fortunate to have a man such as Jerry Harding as their superintendent for 19 years.

Congratulations to our Secondary School for receiving the Great Schools Award.  Our Secondary School was recognized as being amongst the 5% highest improving schools in the State of Washington in reading and mathematics over the last 5 school years.

The Great Schools Award provides greater understanding of what is occurring in a school than just seeing the percent of students who met standard on the WASL.  This award recognizes the growth of all students, not just the individuals meeting the state standard.  For example, if one school had half of the students at level 1 and the other half at level 3, the building would be at 50% meeting standard.  Another school with half of the students at level 2 and the other half at level 4 would also be at 50% meeting standard.  Even though the % meeting standard is the same for the two buildings, one has students performing at a much higher level.  

Everyone in the Secondary School contributed to this award.  The staff deserved this recognition for their hard work and dedicated service to the students.

Congratulations to our Coyote athletic teams. High school volleyball and football both had outstanding regular seasons.  As I write this, the volleyball team has advanced to the state tournament in Yakima and the football team will be hosting a playoff game.  The middle school teams also performed well with a record number of students participating.

One of the strengths of small schools is the opportunity students have to be involved.  Kittitas students are taking advantage of this opportunity.  We have an extremely high student participation rate not only in athletics, but also in leadership, music, drama, and clubs.  It is wonderful to have so many students making contributions to their school and learning lifelong skills in the process.        

Thank you for making the Kittitas School District so great.  Please contact me if you have any questions at sabinm@kittitas.wednet.edu or by phone at 968-3115.

Sincerely,

Monty Sabin