HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4699, by Representatives Linville, Quall, Morris and Ericksen

      WHEREAS, Central Elementary School in the Ferndale School District of Whatcom County recently earned exceptional distinction as the recipient of the very first "Washington State Reading School of the Month" recognition; and

      WHEREAS, This new, statewide reading appreciation program strives to accentuate the importance of reading as an indispensable foundation for a young person's lifetime of learning and personal growth; and

      WHEREAS, Central Elementary School Principal Tony Harduar is admirably steering his staff and students on a course toward genuine, far-reaching education reform; and

      WHEREAS, The entire Ferndale School District, guided and championed by Superintendent Dr. Roger Lehnert, inspires and enkindles exactly the kind of high regard and wide renown that Central Elementary School has earned with this prestigious Reading School of the Month salutation; and

      WHEREAS, Central Elementary School's selection as the preeminent reading school from among the hundreds of schools in the Evergreen State was announced by Governor Gary Locke and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson; and

      WHEREAS, Principal Harduar, the Central Elementary School teachers, and every additional member of the Central team work tirelessly with Central students and the students' parents in thorough, comprehensive commitment to reading mastery for every young person; and

      WHEREAS, Central Elementary School has sought and earned outstanding success and improvement in the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, particularly in the school's reading accomplishment; and

      WHEREAS, After receiving a score of thirty-five percent in fourth grade reading in the 1997 Washington Assessment of Student Learning, Central's fourth graders just four years later earned a blue ribbon score of seventy percent; and

      WHEREAS, The school sets aside ninety-minute blocks devoted exclusively to reading, and Central also emphasizes before-school and after-school time for reading; and

      WHEREAS, This very first Washington State Reading School of the Month recipient even provides transportation to make sure that every young person at Central Elementary School has an opportunity to participate in these superb reading programs;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington praise and celebrate Central Elementary School and the Ferndale School District for this statewide, well-earned celebrity; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Central Elementary School team and to the Ferndale School District administration.

          I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

         4699 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                            February 22, 2002.

                      _____________________________

                       Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk