HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4661, by Representatives Veloria, Cody, Keiser, Blalock, Constantine, Poulsen and Kenney

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School, located in the unincorporated area of King County in the State of Washington and in operation since 1955, is a unique educational community of one thousand three hundred students grades nine through twelve and two additional classrooms of kindergarten students, with a student body that is more than fifty percent minority or students of color, speaking thirty-five different languages; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School's academic program is rooted in high expectations for student learning and achievement in the context of a safe and orderly multicultural learning environment; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School functions with the help and guidance of its "Leadership Council," comprised of residents and youth from the community, representatives from education, business, labor, social service agencies and government departments located within the community, to provide general oversight, direction, policy, and guidance for program development and review; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School has implemented an innovative "HomeTeam Mentoring Program," wherein each ninth grade student is assigned a trained faculty member advocate with whom the student has contact each day; and

       WHEREAS, Research has shown that participation in the various phases of the HomeTeam Mentoring Program at Evergreen High School has resulted in decreased gang-related activities on campus; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School's HomeTeam Mentoring Program has resulted in a significantly lower dropout rate for ninth and tenth grade students; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School's HomeTeam Mentoring Program has resulted in the highest ninth-grade grade point average (GPA) in the school's history; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School's HomeTeam Mentoring Program has resulted in the school's lowest absentee rate in ten years; and

       WHEREAS, Research has further shown that since instituting its HomeTeam Mentoring Program, Evergreen High School demonstrates decreased antisocial behavior of students; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School has demonstrated increased positive relationships between students of diverse cultures, intellectual performance levels, and socioeconomic status; and

       WHEREAS, Evergreen High School students volunteer for service projects with the elderly, kindergarten children, the disabled, and those less fortunate than themselves; and

       WHEREAS, The Evergreen High School Program has been recognized by Mario Moreno, United States Department of Education, as impressive in how the community is involved in schools; and

       WHEREAS, The Evergreen High School has been recognized by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges as a Northwest Exemplary Program; and

       WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Washington declares education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex, is the paramount duty of the state;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the achievements of Evergreen High School and celebrate its contributions to the state's supreme purpose of educating all of our children; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Governor Gary Locke, the Superintendent of the Highline School District, and the Principal of Evergreen High School.

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

              Resolution 4661 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                  April 23, 1997.

                         ________________________________

                          Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk