Dieringer Heights opens registration

Dieringer Heights Elementary will host an early-childhood registration March 26.

Staff members will be available to discuss program options for students entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten or pre-first grade for the 2009-10 school year.

Parents and guardians who plan on registering their students are asked to call the school office at 253-826-4937 for more information. This will allow the school to have registration forms for the school year. Dieringer Heights Elementary is located at 21727 34th St. E. in Lake Tapps. Its Web site is www.dieringer.wednet.edu.

Dykman earns principal’s award

Victor Falls Elementary Principal Beth Dykman has been selected as a regional Distinguished Principal for the 2008-2009 school year. She is one of 18 principals throughout the Pierce County region to win the nomination.

“It is just an honor because it comes directly from my peers,” she said.

“Under her leadership, Victor Falls has been named a School of Distinction for the past two years,” said Mike McCartin, principal of Maple Lawn Elementary. “This award recognizes and celebrates outstanding improvement in student academic growth. Schools of Distinction represent the top 5 percent in our state that have shown progress in raising student achievement in both reading and math during a six-year period.”

Dykman has been a principal for 10 years and has served four of those at Victor Falls.

“Beth is a leader in the Sumner School District with the school’s response to intervention efforts at Victor Falls,” said Sumner School District Superintendent Gil Mendoza.

 The regional, state and national Distinguished Principals Programs serve 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 according to Communications Director Ann Cook.

Dkyman will be honored at an October conference in Yakima sponsored by the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington (ESPAW) and the Association of Washington School Principals, where one principal will be chosen from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Although Dykman said she was honored, she could not have received the award without the help of her peers and co-workers, she said.

“It is an honor to be recognized – not only for my work but for the work of others,” she said. “We have a very good staff.”

Reach Judy Halone at jhalone@courierherald.com or 360-802-8210.