Dear Parents and Community:

The purpose of the Annual Report is to communicate with our families.  Using this tool we can describe our efforts as a school to provide a quality education for our children.  The following dialogue will illustrate some of our work.  

  University is working diligently to provide effective instruction, which will also help students do well on the Washington State Assessment.  University has met its reading goal of 64.5% of our fourth grade students meeting the standard.  This year 67% met the standard. After school help sessions were scheduled for fifth grade students who did not meet the standard in one or more areas.

  Teacher training proved exciting this year partly because we received state funds for staff development at the building level.  We were delighted to host Margaret Mooney who spoke on reading strategies and effective teaching.  Gayle Gregory was another national presenter we brought to UES.  Effective teaching and learning based on current brain research was her topic.  She focused specifically on reading and writing.

  As part of our district Respect and Responsibility theme, each classroom participated in a Community Service Project.  Our projects this year were outstanding.  They included school beautification (hundreds of bulbs planted), a clothing drive, a pet food drive in partnership with Rosauers to benefit the Animal Shelter, quilts made and donated to the rest home, cards and notes to the Senior Serenaders who provided a concert for us in return, and more.  These projects allow us to reach out into our community and we have found our community prepared to support us eagerly.

   Our partnership with Hostess Bakery continues.  They provided snacks following our State Assessment, and respond generously anytime we ask for support.  We also shared art with Washington Trust Bank this year.

University PTA is another partnership that supports our school life in many ways.  New sound equipment in the gym, and computers and software for the Library were two very important contributions made by this group.  In addition, they ran a Read-a-thon, a Spell-a-thon, and Friday popcorn sales.  They faithfully provided cookies for our Citizenship and Academic receptions, and provided classroom help whenever asked.  It is impossible to list the service they provide to our students and staff.  We appreciate their dedication. 

  University Elementary staff rededicates its pledge to excellence in education.  We depend on and appreciate the support we receive from parents and community and invite you to drop by and become part of the exciting work being done here.  TOGETHER WE CAN!  And…we do!

Phyllis Betts