About Dick Scobee Elementary School

Dick Scobee Elementary School provides opportunities for each student to meet academic and social standards in a safe and compassionate learning community to create responsible, self-confident, life-long learners.

At Dick Scobee Elementary, staff, student, and parents are guided by Commander Dick Scobee's personal philosophy,

Dick Scobee Elementary is located approximately one mile north of downtown Auburn. Originally build in 1954 as North Auburn Elementary, the school was renovated in 1982. In 1987, it was renamed Dick Scobee Elementary in memory of Challenger astronaut, Commander Dick Scobee. In 1989, Dick Scobee Elementary was recognized as a Nationally Recognized School Of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The 2000-2001 school year brought state recognition for outstanding achievement in reading.

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During the summer of 1997, Dick Scobee Elementary was renovated. Computers were installed in every classroom and a portion of the library was remodeled to accommodate a computer lab. The computer lab provides every student the opportunity to enhance their computer skills. These important changes were made possible through a bond election passed by local voters in 1996.

Recently a big toy was installed on the play field and new basketball hoops were installed on the blacktop. Trees and bushes donated to our school, as well as additional landscaping provided by the district, have added to the beauty of our front entrance. Our building in home to a variety of community groups. The YMCA, the Auburn Parks Department, and the Auburn community groups share the use of the gymnasium and play fields.
 

Staff representatives from each grade level convene as our Dick Scobee Advisory Team. This team is designed to develop a school-wide focus and address additional school issues as needed. The focus for the 2001-2002 school year was to improve student achievement in writing. All members of our staff are truly focused on interpreting assessment data to guide the instruction of writing.

Non-student school days will find our staff extending their professional training, centered on "Thinking Maps." In addition, increased days will be dedicated to staff participation in school and district-wide inservices focused on math. Gaining expertise in the use of appropriate assessment tools and implementing those best practices into instruction will be another focus of teacher workshops.

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What is Special About Our School?

At Dick Scobee, it is the focus upon the individual student that truly makes our school special. Before-school programs, such as Safety Patrol, teach fifth-grade students responsibility. Volleyball, soccer, and basketball
teams encourage and teach team sportsmanship and enhance school pride.

After-school activities led by teachers, parents, and community members are
available for a variety of student interests including choir, gardening,
cheerleading, craft making, and computer skills. Additional leadership skills are encouraged through opportunities in student government. Student council
representatives are elected by their classmates to represent their grade level in
school-wide decisions. Other students participate in the meaningful work program and complete jobs around the school. Other opportunities include conflict managers, and a variety of clubs.

Our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) supports many after-school family
activities. Popular events in the past have included the Scholastic Book Fair,
Ice Cream Social, a dance, and school carnival. This year the PTA has funded many exciting student assemblies including our Veteran's Day Assembly and a visit from the Tony the Tiger Hot Air Balloon Team. Our pumpkin carving event was definitely a family affair! Parents and students attended the event that included games, pumpkin carving, and a raffle with prizes.

Recently, the unveiling of our time capsule, which was a collection of student work from 1990, was an exciting event involving the whole community. KIRO News crews filmed our Dick Scobee Hallway and interviewed Commander Scobee's brother, Jim Scobee, as part of their focus on events of the millennium. The Scobee Hallway contains many one-of-a-kind artifacts from Dick Scobee's
family and his career as an astronaut. The school's Memorial Hallway is a
visual museum of the memories of the Challenger astronauts and continues to
be an important component of the pride and spirit that is Dick Scobee
Elementary School.

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