LYNNWOOD — Something strange — conspiratorial, actually — happened in the chain of command.
Paul Nash, principal at Lynndale Elementary School, was pruned from the grapevine, oblivious to an assembly on his own campus Monday morning.
He walked into a gym full of students, parents, teachers and other staff to learn he had been selected as the state’s elementary principal of the year.
He was cheered and given flowers, balloons and certificates, but quickly deflected the recognition.
"I’m smart enough to realize that the bottom line is it’s the relationships between the students and teachers," Nash said.
"I’m just one guy in the whole mix," he added.
Presenting the award was the Association of Washington School Principals and the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington. Snohomish County alone has more than 100 elementary schools.
In recent years, Lynndale has been recognized as one of the highest-performing elementary schools in the state. It has scored well on rigorous state exams such as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL.
In 1997, just 20 percent of the school’s fourth-graders passed the math assessment. Last year, that number was 84 percent.
At the same time, scores in reading have jumped from 56 percent to 90 percent, and writing has improved from 51 percent to 75 percent. All are well above the state average on a campus where 31 percent of students have family incomes that qualify for them for a free or reduced-price lunch.
Nash, in his seventh-year at Lynndale, described his staff as "a veteran bunch" that collaborates to find what works for children. The school library opens early each morning and an after-school program is available for students who need extra help.
"We believe all kids can make it," Nash said.
Meghan Perpich, 11, a fifth-grader, said Nash’s honor reflects well on her school.
"I’ve never been to his office for anything bad, but I know some people who have," Meghan said. "He teaches good discipline. But when someone is in trouble, he doesn’t yell at them. He talks to them, and they usually don’t do it again."
Mary Feldaus, a parent of two Lynndale students, said the award is well-deserved.
"He is very, very connected with the kids," she said. "He seems to have good control, and he is very involved with the PTA. He comes to our meetings. He is always there for the school."
Fifth-grade teacher Tom Trexel said Nash works well with his staff.
"He has always been very active in the community, and he supports his staff tremendously," Trexel said.
Nash is now the state’s nominee to the National Distinguished Principals Program. An awards ceremony is this fall in Washington, D.C.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
