State award for Hood Canal district

The Hood Canal School teachers gathered in the cafeteria before class Tuesday morning thought the breakfast provided by the Hood Canal School Board was the highlight of Teacher Appreciation Week.

They were greeted with the news that the school is being recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for both academic growth and "closing gaps" on the 2023-24 state assessments, among only 16% of schools statewide to earn the award.

To make the award even sweeter, it was presented in person by Washington State Board of Education Chair Bill Kallappa II – an alumnus of Hood Canal School. He and his twin sister attended Hood Canal School from kindergarten through the eighth grade, graduating in 1984.

Kallappa, who lives in Tumwater and works as the educational liaison for the Nisqually Tribe, looked around the cafeteria before his presentation. "This was the bus barn," he said of the site.

The Washington School Recognition Program is conducted by the state Board of Education, the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, and the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Growth is recognized in schools with at least one student group making some of the state's largest annual gains in performance measures such as attendance, assessments, dual credit completion or graduation rates.

Closing gaps is significant progress in areas needing improvements, such as assessment scores, English learner progress, dual credit completion or graduation rates.

Hood Canal was one of only 15 schools statewide that received recognition for growth and closing gaps, Superintendent Lance Gibbon said. Winning in two categories is "a double whammy," Kallappa said.

The teachers applauded when they heard the news of the award.

"Look at what has happened to us this year," said Edie Reclusado, chair of the Hood Canal School Board. District voters passed two levies on the February ballot.

"I thank you for giving our kids the best you have," Reclusado told the teachers. She also praised the efforts of parents, classified staff members, Principal Steven Torres and the superintendent. "It takes every one of you to make it happen," she said.

Skokomish Tribe CEO Tom Strong, also an alumnus of the school, thanked the staff and district leadership.

In an interview before the ceremony, Kallappa talked about his years as a Hood Canal student. "I had a great educational experience here," he said. He was among the Native students in the student body along with non-natives. "I was comfortable with both worlds," he said.

Skokomish Tribe members were on the staff, and "that made me feel relaxed and at home," he said.