Superintendent's Message

Spring 2013

Dear Shoreline Schools Community,

As the 2012-13 school year comes to a close, it is a very appropriate time to express our sincere appreciation to the residents of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

For those who may not know, approximately 30 percent of everything we do in the Shoreline Schools is funded locally through our voter-approved levies, PTAs, Foundation and private giving.

If we had to depend exclusively upon the funding of our state and federal government, our District funding would have been exhausted in March. Instead, because of your consistent support of our schools, we are in the enviable position of offering an exceptional education program for students all year long.

Our well-staffed and robust programs provide opportunities for students that are unparalleled in most school districts. Academically, our recognitions this year included 11 Washington Achievement Awards for eight of our schools. Two of the awards we were most excited about were the Overall Excellence Awards for Shorewood High School and Lake Forest Park Elementary.

Previously this year Lake Forest Park had been honored as a National Title I School. Most recently, Shorecrest was ranked 11th among all high schools in the state of Washington by U.S. News & World Report.

Our teachers are also a source of pride in Shoreline. This year we had five "Heroes in the Classroom" identified by the Seahawks/Symetra partnership. Four more of our teachers received their certifications from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, bringing our total to 65.

Administrator Don Dalziel, director of athletics, school safety and facility use, was honored with the Athletic Director Service Award from the Washington Secondary Schools Athletic Administrators Association.

And most importantly, our students are the source of our greatest pride. Highlights this spring include:

  • Shorecrest High School student Jane White was honored at the 40th Annual Superintendent's High School Art Show May 17 at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia.
  • The Shorewood High School girls track team was honored as Academic State Champions for the spring sports season with a 3.9 GPA.
  • Shorecrest sophomore Mara Childs has been appointed to a two-year term on the Washington State Board of Education as the student representative from Western Washington.
  • The Einstein Middle School symphony orchestra was awarded first place in the Junior Division at the Northwest Orchestra Festival in Gresham, Oregon.
  • The Shorecrest hip hop team, coached by Rex Kinney, won first place in the 3A division at the WIAA State Championships in Yakima.

In addition to all of these and other celebrations, Shoreline Schools is particularly proud of the two new high schools that our students and staff will soon occupy. Thanks to your generosity as a community, our facilities at Shorewood and Shorecrest High Schools will finally match the exceptional quality of our programs and staff.

We are very proud that our District continues its reputation for excellence as an educational community, and we cannot thank you enough for your commitment to our students, schools and staff. Have a safe and wonderful summer, and we will see our students back in school on Wed, Sept. 4.

Sincerely,
Sue Walker