The Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent and a delegation of elementary school administrators were in Washington, D.C. last week to receive among the highest awards in instructive education.
Just back from a visit to the U.S. Department of Education, District Supt. Dr. Andrew Pulver told the board of trustees Tuesday that LAUSD was the only district in the state of California with two schools achieving Blue Ribbon status.
“We have two schools of ours who have earned this esteemed honor of a National Blue Ribbon Award,” said Pulver, “both Lee Elementary for an exemplary high performing school, and Los Alamitos Elementary for closing the achievement gap.”
He said among those accompanying him on the trip to receive the awards were Marlea Gardea (LAE Teacher), Gary Willems (LAE Principal), Amy Vento (Lee Principal) and Amy Salter (Teacher).
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels,” according to the US Department of Education website.
Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.
“The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content,” it said.
California Supt. of Education Tony Thurmund congratulated LAUSD and all of the state’s winners. In a statement, Thurmund said “congratulations to these schools for creating safe and supportive school climates that set the tone for student achievement during what might be one of the most difficult times in education—and in our lifetimes.”
“I commend all of these schools for meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of all their students as well as finding creative ways to continue closing opportunity gaps during extraordinary circumstances,” he said.
