For the second year in a row, Crescent Harbor Elementary has been named a “School of Distinction.”

“Our students have once again made us exceedingly proud,” principal Kathleen Valenzuela said.

Awarded to 101 schools throughout Washington state, the School of Distinction Award means that Crescent Harbor is in the top 5 percent of Washington state schools showing student improvement. The award is given to schools showing marked improvement over the course of five years, now six for Crescent Harbor.

“This is not something that is given because you happen to have a bright group of kids come to your school and score very well,” said Jerry Jenkins, superintendent of the Northwest Educational Service District.

This past Monday, Jenkins presented Crescent Harbor staff with a recognition banner and thanked them for their work with the students.

The sort of improvement Crescent Harbor has shown comes from the district office, leadership teams, the principal and the staff all working towards the same goal, he explained.

“(The improvement) happens based on effort and initiative, day in and day out, not just once a year when you get a little bit of recognition,” said Jenkins.

“It comes (from) a lot of hours, countless hours and hard work that takes place.”

Of the 35 school districts in the Northwest region, only three schools have received the award twice, according to Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Lance Gibbon.

“To be one of only three in this northwest area … highlights what a special distinction this is for Crescent Harbor,” Gibbon said.

Valenzuela credits both her students and staff for the award.

“I really have a fabulous staff,” she said. “They’re an amazing group of people.

“That I see my staff doing on a regular basis is look for new and better ways to teach kids.”

This award means that Crescent Harbor students showed a marked improvement in their state test scores.

Receiving it, said Gibbon, is “a validation of the work that’s being done in that school.”

“I’m very proud of what the students an staff have achieved together there at Crescent Harbor,” he said. “They have a great culture of learning, and I think that what they’ve accomplished is really a model of what we’re working on in each one of our schools: a place where our staff are really working together to help every student be successful.”

Receiving this award is an honor for the staff at Crescent Harbor, said Valenzuela.

Jenkins personally presented the award Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, the award won’t change the teaching style at the school, because that occurs continuously.

“We’re constantly changing because we’re constantly looking for better ways to help kids learn,” Valenzuela said.

“That’s what the award reinforces.

“I am so thankful to be working with the team that’s out here at Crescent Harbor.”

“I love working with these people.”