Sisters Elementary rated a 'model' school

Sisters Elementary School is a model for similar schools in Oregon.

On Thursday, August 2, Superintendent Jim Golden was officially notified by state deputy superintendent Rob Saxton that, based on student achievement data, Sisters Elementary School was selected as one of 27 schools in the state to be designated as a "model school." This puts Sisters Elementary in the top five percent of the 544 similar elementary schools in the state.

Oregon recently received a waiver from the federally mandated No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act. As part of this 300-page waiver, the state has committed to implementing a differentiated system of continuous improvement and support for districts and schools.

Saxton noted, "In the new system of supports for schools, model schools will serve as exemplars which priority and focus schools will observe and study as an element of their work in school improvement. We believe that model schools are an integral part of school improvement and we look forward to the coming year as we work together to improve outcomes in student achievement."

Board chair Don Hedrick said, "I've got to congratulate you (Golden) and the staff of Sisters Elementary on an outstanding job."

Vice-chair Cheryl Stewart noted that the school implemented new structures quickly and efficiently.

"One of the things that I think happened at the elementary school in one year was 'full steam ahead.' You didn't sit and study it for ages; you just went and did it. It (the change) was happening so fast that even the board could not keep up with it... I want to see more of that."