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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
River Oaks Elementary named California Distinguished School
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River Oaks third grade teacher Michelle Hite keeps her students focused on studies through a variety of creative ways, grooming them for future success in every classroom.
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By Kymm Griffin
Staff Writer
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River Oaks Elementary has been honored as a 2008 California Distinguished School.
“It’s a whole school effort. I feel very fortunate to work with an amazing staff that is dedicated to the students both academically and emotionally. As a school it feels great to have all our hard work recognized,” said Principal Lois Yount.
Across the state, only 1,500 schools were eligible to apply for the award based on their Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress results. Of those eligible, 839 submitted applications that detailed how their school achieved high academic success using the California standards based education system. For 2008, the state selected 343 schools to be recognized as California Distinguished Schools.
“This year the selection criteria for the Distinguished School program were more stringent than ever. Schools wrote a substantive narrative application and then were subject to an extensive site validation,” according to the Department of Education’s press release.
The 20-page application for River Oaks detailed the extensive data analysis of each student’s assessments. Yount said that each student who is currently not meeting educational standards has a plan created for them outlining strategic interventions both within the classroom and working with instructional aides.
Currently, River Oaks has instructional aides who spend five hours a day helping students increase their proficiency in reading, math and science. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate not only within grade levels, but also across grade levels, according to Yount.
State representatives visited River Oaks on March 5 as part of the application process. Representatives visited every classroom, including music and special education. They visited the playgrounds and cafeteria and also met with PTA and school site council members.
“I am so proud of the students and staff at River Oaks for receiving this highly competitive award,” said Judy Bullard, former principal of River Oaks and current director of curriculum. “This school is truly distinguished due to the child-centered culture and high standards held by everyone. Yount and Ann Leon are superb leaders who encourage teachers to continuously refine their instructional practices, to share successful techniques with colleagues, and to put the needs of their students first when making decisions.”
Superintendent Karen Schauer also expressed her congratulations to River Oaks.
“River Oaks Elementary School’s recognition as a California Distinguished School underscores our commitment to all children learning with high expectations, quality implementation, and caring learning environments. The school’s attention to differentiated support to students, data use, and all employees working together to enhance student success are exemplary and very deserving of the California Distinguished School award,” said Schauer.
River Oaks was also named a California Distinguished School in 1995 and 2002.
The California Department of Education will host a ceremony on May 16 at Disneyland to honor the schools.
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