Tag Archives: quality education

Two CKSD schools make List of America’s Best High Schools

Two CKSD schools were recently named to the list of America’s Best High Schools. Central Kitsap High School (CKHS) earned a spot on the annual list of the nation’s top-rated public high schools for the ninth time, and Klahowya Secondary School (KSS) was listed for the second time in the school’s history.

Only 7 percent of all the public schools in the country made this year’s list, which was published by The Washington Post. CKHS ranked at 362 nationally, up 78 spots from last year. With a challenge index of 2.81, CKHS is celebrating the highest index score in its history and ranks in the top 2 percent of all public high schools nationally.

Klahowya ranked at 1,406 nationally, also up from last year. The school’s challenge index, 1.396, rose from last year, too.

Statewide, only 40 high schools (of nearly 500) appeared on the list. CKHS ranks sixth in the state, while KSS ranks at 28.

The list of America’s Best High Schools is based the “Challenge Index.” The formula divides the number of college-level (e.g., Advance Placement) tests a school gives by the number of graduating seniors. According to The Washington Post, while the scores are not necessarily a measure of the overall quality of the school, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college.

“I am proud to congratulate Central Kitsap High School and Klahowya Secondary School for this very visible and well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Greg Lynch. “This achievement did not happen by chance. These schools have worked hard to create an academically rigorous culture, and our students are most certainly rising to the challenge.”

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CKSD Recognizes New National Board Certified Teachers

Rich Jacobson

Fourteen educators (a record number for the district) were honored recently by the Central Kitsap School District Board of Directors for attaining the coveted National Board Certification.

Teachers who achieve this distinction must meet very high and rigorous standards through study, evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review. The year-long process requires the creation of a very comprehensive portfolio that documents the impact of teaching practices on student achievement, as well as a series of tests designed to measure content knowledge.

The following CKSD staff members received National Board Certification:

Ken Allen, Woodlands Elem.
Brenda Costello, Esquire Hills Elem.
Amee Coulter, Esquire Hills Elem.
Donna Giese, Silver Ridge Elem.
Julie Gillies, Fairview Junior High
Cindy Jaquay, Green Mountain Elem.
Gina Kahler, Esquire Hills Elem.
David Keller, Central Kitsap JH
Steve Lee, Ridgetop Junior High
Catherine Pitcher, Curriculum Specialist
Barb Robillard, Silver Ridge Elem.
Jennifer Threadgold, Jackson Park Elem.
Deborah Vaughn, Silver Ridge Elem.
Bill Wilson, Central Kitsap JH

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) grants National Board Certification, which was recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.

Since 1987, more than 91,000 teachers across the country have achieved National Board Certification. This year, 1,272 Washington teachers were certified, placing the state second nationally in new National Board Certified teachers. Washington’s 5,247 total National Board Certified teachers place the state fourth in the nation. Central Kitsap School District currently employs 43 National Board Certified teacher.

Normally, teachers who have successfully achieved their National Board Certification are granted a small annual stipend as an added bonus for their hard work and commitment to educational excellence. Unfortunately, our elected State Representatives (against voter approval) decided to suspend this stipend, and will most likely eliminate it completely in the future.

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Vote ‘YES!’ for the CKSD Capital Projects Levy

Rich Jacobson

“Pay a little now, or pay a lot more later!”

That seems to be the prudent advice and sentiment being offered by many longtime residents of Central Kitsap County as the day (February 8th) quickly approaches for area voters to approve or disapprove the proposed Central Kitsap School District Capital Projects Levy.

Well-known local political activist Jack Hamilton expressed his opinions in a recent CK Reporter Op Ed, saying, “Even though it may hurt a bit in these uncertain and tough economic times, failure to support this levy does have a clear and unmistakable negative impact on the ability of the district to provide the quality in education that we demand and that our kids deserve.”

Both the Kitsap Sun and Central Kitsap Reporter have voiced their support in passage of the levy.

CKSD Superintendent Greg Lynch and his capable staff have done a truly exceptional job of providing a very detailed and transparent analysis on their Capital Projects Levy Website, ensuring that the voting public can make intelligent, informed decisions.

As a local Central Kitsap resident/homeowner myself, I can certainly empathize with the fact that our current economic conditions makes such levy proposals difficult to swallow. Most of us are finding it increasingly challenging to make ends meet and desperately want to hold onto as much of our hard earned money as possible.

But the facts of this levy proposal should make our response overwhelming obvious. We simply cannot ignore the prudent investment of a small portion of our tax dollars now, or else face the consequences of paying out a much larger amount down the road.

Ballots for this levy proposition have already been mailed out and every vote matters!

Please join me in supporting our kids and the continuation of quality education in Central Kitsap by voting ‘YES!’ on the CKSD Capital Projects Levy on February 8th.

CKKidsMatter

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Celebrate Central Kitsap School District!

Rich Jacobson

Here’s a really great video that helps to hallmark many of the accomplishments made by the Central Kitsap School District over the past year…..

Remember to vote ‘YES!’ in support of the upcoming CKSD Capital Projects Levy in February 2011, and help to ensure quality education for the students of Central Kitsap County WA!

CKKidsMatter

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