Kathy L. Brake, principal of Washington Grove Elementary School, has been selected to receive the Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award, given annually to one local school administrator who has shown an exceptional ability to encourage academic excellence, positive human relations, and strong community outreach.

The award was presented by Superintendent Jerry D. Weast at a countywide meeting of school system administrative and supervisory personnel on July 9.

Under Mrs. Brake’s leadership, Washington Grove Elementary School has recorded impressive improvements in student performance and community support. The school was recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education last October for significant progress toward meeting the standards of the Maryland School Performance Program. The state also listed the school on the MSPAP web site for achieving notable success with African American and Hispanic students on selected MSPAP tests in 1999.

Among many other accomplishments, Mrs. Brake established an award-winning partnership with Hewlett-Packard Company, in which employees volunteer at the school and serve as mentors and role models for students. She also obtained a grant to implement a school-wide breakfast program last year to ensure that all students begin their instructional day free of hunger and ready to learn.

This spring, Washington Grove parents and staff held a community-wide celebration in appreciation of Mrs. Brake’s 10 years of dedicated leadership of the school. Mrs. Brake began her educational career as a teacher in 1971 and joined MCPS in 1985.
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