Phone calls for poor grades: The Federal Way School District grade threshold calls began this week. Now students can expect a call home whenever their grade slips below a C-. The program was piloted at Kilo Middle School and Federal Way High School. Beginning March 16, all middle schools and high schools were added to the system. Here’s what parents hear when receiving a grade threshold call: “Greetings, this is (school name), calling to notify you that your student (first name) is currently not meeting standards, or is in danger of falling below standard, in one or more classes. Please check grades online or contact your school at (school phone number) for more information.” These calls will go out every two weeks. No calls will be made during Spring Break (March 29-April 2), but will go out the following week. The calls are scheduled for 7 p.m. The messages will be sent in English and Spanish.

Schools make achievement list: Several local schools have made the Washington Achievement Awards for 2009, and 174 schools were chosen for their work in improving student learning. Schools were measured for achievements of student from all income levels, achievement compared to peers and improvement from last year. The schools will be recognized at celebrations around the state on May 5. From Federal Way, Illahee Middle School and Federal Way Public Academy made the list for Overall Excellence. Five Federal Way schools also made the list in the Gifted Education category: Adelaide, Brigadoon, Mark Twain, Mirror Lake and Star Lake elementaries.