PARADE Program in Riverview
A “Power House of Possibilities”
By: Leanne Christensen
PARADE Students Trip to the Tolt Dam
The Riverview PARADE (Parents and Riverview Actively Delivering Education) Program began 14 years ago as a small home school out reach program that was housed in the Carnation Elementary building. Back then it was a “one room school house” with classes taught by current Principal Paul Censullo. Today, this innovative, creative program meets the needs of 110 students and their families with 5 teachers, (2 full time) teaching 33 classes per week, with the help of two teaching assistants and a hard working office staff. The current staff exemplifies “well rounded” with an elementary reading specialist, Science, Math and Art specialists all with Masters Degrees and years of teaching experience and community involvement. Art teacher and District Art Coordinator, Carol Gould shared, “A five day a week school is not for everyone. We are so fortunate to live and teach in the Riverview School District , that although small… is a power house of possibilities.”
Lead teacher, Susie Marshall has been an integral part of the program for 11 years. Her passion and dedication to her teaching is evident to anyone and everyone who happens into her classroom any day of the week.
Through her lessons Susie imparts a thirst for knowledge with her students through “outside the box' tactics and experiences which make class time both enjoyable and extremely interesting. One example would be the Coe Clemens Creek Project. Who would have thought that taking such rigorous subjects as: biology, chemistry, physics and geology would prove to be so enjoyable and involve the initiation and participation of such an important community effort? This on going significant eco-friendly endeavor has allowed students to partner with the City of Duvall and given them the opportunity to: survey the site, research, order and plant native plants, design and create sustainable trails and to be a part of the entire development of this community restoration project.
Other PARADE subject offerings include: Art, including the use of textiles and wood, painting, drawing, drama, music, social studies, Language arts, engineering, reading, writing, science; including extensive lab work, Math, Computer Skills and Yearbook. The staff of educators involved with the PARADE program are creating new curriculum each year, enabling a wide variety of classes to be made available to a wide variety of learners. Each child may have a unique learning style, and the approach to their educational process can be identified and personalized in this exceptional program.
Parents of PARADE high school students meet monthly to discuss curriculum, share ideas, and hear directly from the teachers regarding the educational processes occurring within the classrooms. These meeting allow parents to partner with the staff and each other to create and help sustain the goals of the program, while imparting enrichment to their teaching efforts at home.
When current students were asked to express their experience in the PARADE Program their comments were thoughtful and impressive. Angel Iacobazzi, has been involved with PARADE since Kindergarten. She shared, “The encouragement given to all students by the wonderful teachers at PARADE has kept me coming back each year.” Student Nick DelDegan said that he appreciates the flexibility and freedom of participating in PARADE and that the “character of other students creates an environment that allows us to be ourselves, to be real.” Students who have graduated from the PARADE Program have gone on to attend such schools as: The University of Washington, Brigham Young University, Cottey College, Cornish College of the Arts, Central Washington University, Whitman, Cascadia College, Bellevue College and Everett Community College.
The current building(s) is still a part of the growing Carnation Elementary School campus, however the district and the City of Carnation are working together to have the doors of the new, “Riverview Learning Center” (PARADE's new location) open during the fall of 2011. Staff, students and parents are looking forward to having a larger facility as they continue to actively deliver education, one student one family at a time.
If you would like to learn more about the PARADE Program, please contact Suzanne Olsen at the Riverview District Office at: (425) 844-4518.