'Phenomenal' happenings at Washington

SANDPOINT — For Washington Elementary students, their Design for Change projects have made a difference not only in their school, but in the community and across the world.

Former students have represented the United States at the DFC global conference for their work on suicide awareness and prevention, while current students are working on projects involving plastic recycling, food waste reduction and helping the homeless.

“Design for Change is very passionate about plastics in our world, so we decided to have a recycling program at our school,” sixth-grader Elle Meneghini told Lake Pend Oreille School District officials during the May 14 meeting. “Every day the students in sixth-grade take time out of their recess to help younger students sort recyclables from trash.”

Washington Elementary’s DFC teams from grades first, second, fifth and sixth shared their projects with the LPOSD board last week. The first- and sixth-grade teams are working on recycling, second grade is reducing food waste in the school, and fifth grade is collecting items to make care packages. The care packages will include items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel-size hand sanitizer, deodorant, a small blanket and a small first-aid kit. They will then give the care packages to the police department to distribute to the homeless or others in need.

“Obviously Design for Change is phenomenal, what these kids are doing,” said Washington Principal Tassia Hamer.

Throughout the school year, principals from each school in the district have presented to the board, answering two main questions: What is unique or special about your school? And what strategies are taking place this year that are different that the school is instituting to get more students learning more?”

In answer to the questions, Hamer had the kids kick off the presentation talking about their DFC projects before she highlighted some of the things implemented this year as far as student learning, growth and achievement.

First, she said, Washington has implemented seven elements of effective instruction in all classrooms, at all grade levels. In addition, all teachers at Washington use flexible grouping for small-group instruction to meet the varying needs of learners within the classroom, and fifth- and sixth-grade have advanced math interventions in place.

“One thing I do to support teaching and learning at Washington Elementary is frequent observations and feedback to teachers, as well as professional learning opportunities in our early-release Wednesdays,” she said.

Washington has a “stellar” PBIS system in place to support students with behaviors, Hamer said, as well as Second Step to support students socially and emotionally.

“Some other things that make Washington really unique is we have a dedicated and supportive staff, and our PTA is amazing,” Hamer said. “We are a neighborhood school … it’s welcoming, parents are out in the morning sipping coffee, checking with each other, kids ride their bikes to school.

“I could go on and on and on about Washington Elementary,” She added. “It is together, all of us, that make it great.”

Before departing each of the students received a certificate of recognition by LPOSD officials for their efforts and achievements in the Design for Change program.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.