Recent Media Coverage

5/5/08, College math test for high school? Educators have a plan for GFHS:
Eric and Andrea Cahan, husband and wife, can't help talking about education over the dinner table. Eric is the principal at Granite Falls High School; Andrea, a math instructor, works with students at Everett Community College.

"Unfortunately, I don't leave work at school very well and she doesn't either," Eric Cahan said. Both want to see more students ready for college-level math when they leave high school. So they sat down and hashed out a plan. The Herald reported the story ->

4/18/08, School Board names Karen Koschak superintendent
The Granite Falls School Board of Directors is very pleased to announce Karen Koschak was unanimously selected to be the Superintendent effective July 1. The Board made the announcement at its regular board meeting April 16. The Herald reported the story ->

3/11/08, Timeout with Hannah Anderson, senior, GFHS softball
The third baseman has overcome [a] vision flaw ... earning All-Cascade Conference first team honors and becoming an indispensable team leader. Read more here ->

2/28/08, Legislature honors Granite Falls teacher
Peterson, a music teacher at Monte Cristo Elementary School, received resolutions of commendation from both the Senate and House of Representatives. .... Peterson sat in the gallery of the Senate then the House as lawmakers passed their respective resolutions. After each vote, legislators stood and applauded her. Read more here ->

2/5/08, School issues on Granite Falls, Monroe ballots
Granite Falls and Monroe are among the local school districts with measures on the Feb. 19 ballot. Both are venturing into new territory. It's the first time for each to be part of an all-mail ballot.  The Herald reported the story ->

2/5/08, Middle School “Super Kid” Becky Gilbertson
Becky ... is student body president ... loves days when students dress up in school colors black and orange ... and was featured in The Herald. Read more here ->

1/28/08, Granite Falls school chief finalists have ties to area
The list of candidates for Granite Falls School District superintendent has been pared to three, and each has a Snohomish County connection. In fact, all three at one time or another have worked for the neighboring Lake Stevens School District. The Herald reported the story ->  

1/19/08, New GFHS dedication a grand success!
Hundreds attended the dedication event, including two alumni (Class of 1929 and 1939!) highlighted in Saturday's edition of The Herald (read more here ->)

12/23/07, Kids right at home in new school
Granite Falls' $43 million high school is designed for growth. The high school students wasted no time in filling their new building with school pride .... The Herald reported the story ->

12/19/07, Student collects shoes for families ... GFHS senior Jade Rondorf recently ran the first of what she hopes will be an annual shoe drive called "Let's Walk in Their Shoes," [which] brought in more than 100 pairs of new shoes.... The Herald reported the story ->

11/14/07, Little girl half a world away from parents serving Iraq ... Granite Falls preschooler Mishala Alcaide, 4, can make a sandwich and say ABCs. But her parents can't be here to see it. The Herald reported the story -> 

11/2/07, Superintendent announces retirement; Community invited to help in the search 
Community Forum, November 14, 2007 at 7 pm in the Middle School Commons
According to Thaut, "I worked with bright talented people who inspire me every day and, of course, you get to work with kids every day. How can it get better than that?" The Herald reported the story ->  

10/29/07, Life is busy for the nation's top teacher ... On being a new mom and traveling: "One day you are in Washington, D.C., getting picked up by a limousine and being treated like royalty practically and then you are sitting in your house with your daughter who just spit up on your shoulder. I treasure every second that I have with her ..." The Herald reported the story ->

10/24/07, On the road for excellence ... "Highlights of the past year? Well, the Rose Garden introduction by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush in April has to rank near the top ..." The Seattle Times shared stories from Mrs. Peterson's travels so far.  ->

September 2007, Granite Falls assistant principal best in state Mr. B, as Dave Bianchini is known to his students at Granite Falls Middle School, has been named Washington State Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year. Bianchini will receive his award at the Association of Washington School Principals conference in October and will be considered for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award. Finalists for the national award will be released in January. Read more here -> 

9/27/07, GFSD wins national award for its substance abuse prevention program "Over the past six years, the number of teenagers who say they've used alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine in this town has dropped sharply. Now, people with the Granite Falls School District are getting recognized for their efforts in making that happen. The district has won an award from the federal government for its substance-abuse prevention program, making it one of only four organizations nationwide to earn the honor this year." The Herald reported the story.

9/10/07, Herald Super Kid: Ryan Hillery "I have a lot of friends in leadership. It should be fun. It should be a good experience and I think it will help me in life." The Herald reported the story -> 

8/29/07, The Patient Leader Shouting orders doesn’t come naturally to Jullian Gamache .... A rare four-year varsity starter, Gamache is expected to help propel a youthful Granite Falls team that wants to build on its 2006 success. The Herald reported the story -> 

2007-2008, Andrea Peterson is the 2007 NATIONAL Teacher of the Year!  Read more here ->