April 14, 2005
Contact:
Jocelyn McCabe,
Director of Communications
Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
360.357.7951 or 360.951.5269 (mobile)
jocelyn@awsp.org
Laurie
Cizon, Community Relations Specialist
Central Kitsap School District
360.662.1620
lauriec@cksd.wednet.edu
Emerald Heights Elementary Leader NamedState’s
Distinguished Elementary Principal
Central Kitsap Principal David McVicker chosen for prestigious
award
OLYMPIA – Accepting praise is
sometimes difficult for people, but Emerald Heights Elementary School
Principal David McVicker had better get used to it. McVicker has been
selected as the state’s top elementary school principal of the
year by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and its
elementary component board, the Elementary School Principals Association
of Washington (ESPAW).
McVicker has led the Emerald Heights community
since the school opened 12 years ago. Throughout his tenure, McVicker
has left lasting impressions on his students, staff and superiors. He
also jump-started several unique learning and staff development programs
throughout his school.
“Great leaders don’t manage, they
effectively lead, and good management is part of effective
leadership,” said Gregory Lynch, superintendent of the Central
Kitsap School District. “David sets exceptionally high standards
and expectations for himself. In turn, the staff follows his example,
and there is great evidence of continuously improving performance by
Emerald Heights’ students.”
Emerald Heights' scores on the WASL have soared
in recent years. In 1996-97, just 31 percent of the school met standard
on the math WASL. Last year, more than 90 percent of students met
standard in math. During the same time, scores in reading rose from 59.4
percent meeting standard to 90.3 percent; in writing, the scores went
from 41.6 percent to 68.9 percent. Approximately 21.8 percent of Emerald
Heights’ students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
McVicker’s commitment to excellence becomes more evident when
studying his hiring practices —teachers seeking employment at
Emerald Heights Elementary are asked to teach an actual lesson, which
McVicker observes, in order to maintain a staff whose mission is
centered on student achievement.
“David understands the importance of developing a strong team
of adults as a means of improving student achievement, and is not afraid
to become a learner with the rest of the staff,” said Gary Kipp,
executive director of AWSP. “It’s clear from the work he has
accomplished that his leadership has directly contributed to the success
of everyone at Emerald Heights.
“There are some awards that are perhaps more meaningful because
they come from your peers. This is certainly one of those honors. We are
excited to have David represent Washington state at the national level
and congratulate him on this accomplishment.”
The final selection for each state's candidate is made by the NAESP
state affiliate (AWSP, in the case of Washington state). McVicker
was one of 18 principals selected from regional nominations around the
state (see list below).
As the state’s 2005 National Distinguished Principal candidate,
McVicker will serve as the state’s nominee to the National
Distinguished Principals Program, an award established by the U.S.
Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary
School Principals (NAESP). The award serves to honor exemplary
elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and
quality of the education children receive during their early school
years. One principal is selected from each of the 50 states and the
District of Columbia.
“Mr. McVicker recognizes that parents and other community
leaders are one of our greatest resources,” said Carol Dahl, a
fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Emerald Heights Elementary. “He
continually communicates his belief that a child’s success relies
on teamwork. He believes a positive relationship between parents, staff
and community is beneficial to all students learning well.”
McVicker has been a principal for 20 years and has led Emerald
Heights as principal since 1993. Prior to that, he served as a teacher
and a math curriculum coordinator. McVicker holds a bachelor’s
degree in education and a master’s in education administration
from Eastern Washington University.
The formal award ceremony for all state nominees takes place in
Washington, D.C., each fall. Nominees participate in a series
of events and activities over the course of two days, culminating in a
formal awards banquet. AWSP and the elementary board will formally honor
McVicker and the regional winners this October at the
Association’s K-12 Conference in Spokane.
For more information on the National
Distinguished Principal program, visit the Web at www.naesp.org/ndp.htm.
To learn more about Emerald Heights Elementary,
visit the school’s Web site at: http://emeraldheights.cksd.wednet.edu/about_our_school.htm.
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About the Association of
Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of
Washington School Principals is a professional association serving
principals and assistant principals. Formed in 1972, the Association now
includes more than 3,300 members from public and private elementary,
middle and high schools statewide. The mission of AWSP is to support
principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the
education of all students.
About the Central Kitsap School
District
The Central Kitsap School
District, with its 12,726 students from preschool through twelfth grade,
maintains a continuous focus on ensuring that each student reaches his
or her highest potential and is prepared for lifelong learning and
success. The District’s mission is “All Students
Learning Well.” For more information, visit the CKSD website
at www.cksd.wednet.edu.
| David McVicker, Emerald Heights Elementary, Central Kitsap School District, Elementary Principal of the Year |
|
P (360) 357-7951 or (800) 562-6100 
