Snoqualmie Elementary, PTSA Honored with National Recognition, ‘School of Excellence’

Described as a “huge honor and the culmination of a year’s work,” last week Snoqualmie Elementary School and the SES PTSA received some national recognition when the National PTA® named SES a National PTA School of Excellence.

The national award spotlights the school’s achievement in building effective family-school partnerships, reflecting research showing that when families and schools work together, student achievement increases, schools improve and communities grow stronger.

According to a press release, being named a National PTA School of Excellence demonstrates Snoqualmie Elementary School and SES PTSA’s leadership and commitment to supporting student success and continuous school improvement.

National PTA President Laura Bay said SES is a true example of what can be accomplished when schools and families work together. She added, “Snoqualmie Elementary School and SES PTSA have put strong practices into place that involve families in the life of the school.”

To be recognized as a National PTA School of Excellence, PTAs evaluate their current family engagement strategies and submit a goal for school improvement that families, teachers and administrators have set together. The national designation is awarded to those schools that have demonstrated improvement in the family-school partnership and significant progress toward their goal.

Current SES PTSA president Kim Jones credits the leadership of former president Diana Reul-Shapiro for the national award. Reul-Shapiro worked with the SES staff an administration on a year-initiative to ensure that all SES families felt welcomed and empowered to support student success.

“Working in tandem with then-principal Kerstin Kramer, Diana worked tirelessly to solidify the SES PTSA’s role as a key partner for continuous school improvement. The goal was to ensure SES students’ health and safety, with a focus on their emotional and mental well-being. A team of educators, parents and community leaders worked hard to make that a priority for our school and our PTSA, and I am looking forward to continuing the momentum in the 2016-17 school year.”

Congrats SES – and the SES PTSA on a great partnership!