WHEREAS, On September 8, 1954, the doors of Viewlands Elementary School were opened for the first time and the school is now celebrating fifty years of providing caring education for children; and
     WHEREAS, By providing caring education, all the basic education needs are met in addition to citizen and earth stewardship opportunities that help equip Viewlands students to make wise choices; and
     WHEREAS, Viewlands borders Carkeek Park, a natural park adjacent to Puget Sound, which serves as an exemplary outdoor education classroom for teachers, students, and parents alike to learn and to enjoy nature; and
     WHEREAS, Viewlands staff and community volunteers have been pioneers in programs respectful of diverse school populations, programs in outdoor and community watershed education, raising salmon in the classroom, Backyard Habitat Gardens, worm bins, drainage control projects, ceramic tile murals with environmental themes, and execution of an ethnobotanical garden with documented herbarium for Carkeek Park; and
     WHEREAS, To celebrate fifty continuous years of exemplary staff dedication in educating the whole child, Saturday, January 29, 2005, was Viewlands Elementary School Day;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, That Viewlands Elementary School is recognized and honored for its longevity and influence in the community it serves; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Viewlands Elementary School.