TEN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS ARE 'DISTINGUISHED'
SAN DIEGO -- Ten elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School
District have been designated Distinguished Schools by the California
Department of Education.
The schools are: Doyle Elementary in University City; Hardy Elementary in
the College Area; Holmes Elementary in Clairemont; Marvin Elementary in
Allied Gardens; Kumeyaay Elementary in Tierrasanta; La Jolla Elementary in
La Jolla; Dingemen Elementary in Scripps Ranch; Tierrasanta Elementary in
Tierrasanta; Toler Elementary in Clairemont; Torrey Pines Elementary in La
Jolla.
"This is truly a great honor for these schools, their students, principal,
staff, parents, volunteers and the entire community," said Superintendent
Bill Kowba. "It's not easy to become a California Distinguished School. It
requires great scores and a commitment by the staff to go through the
lengthy state process."
The state makes the awards to elementary schools on even-numbered years,
middle and high schools on odd-numbered years.
"The schools we are recognizing today demonstrate the incredible
commitment of California¹s teachers, administrators, and school employees
to provide a world-class education to every student, in spite of the
financial hardships facing our state and our schools," said Tom Torlakson,
State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Their dedication is
inspiring, and I applaud and admire their passion and persistence."
Each school is unique to its neighborhood.
-- Doyle Elementary in the University City neighborhood, near UC San
Diego, and is the school for many of children of the university's faculty,
research scientists and graduate students. The enrollment includes
children from more than 30 countries, speaking more than 20 languages and
providing cultural diversity that makes for a rich educational experience.
Parent and community volunteers help in classrooms throughout the campus
and with special events, such as the annual International Festival.
-- Hardy Elementary School, adjacent to San Diego State University and
enjoys strong partnerships with the university; the school is named after
SDSU's president from 1910-35. The school has been certified by the
district as Family Friendly, has an active PTA and involvement by parents
and grandparents as volunteers. More than 100 students participated in the
before-school Mileage Club, with runners learning important fitness and
life lessons.
-- Holmes Elementary is located in a quiet corner of the Clairemont
neighborhood. Its API exceeds 900 and it has been listed on the California
Business for Education Honor Roll for two years. All teachers in grades
3-6 are certified for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). The school's
active PTA funds an award-winning art program, a music teacher and the
computer lab. The campus includes a student garden, rock-climbing wall and
a fitness obstacle-course.
-- Marvin Elementary is in the Allied Gardens neighborhood and relishes
its community ties. Several of today's teachers were once Marvin students
and the school's Parent Teacher Foundation plays an active role in the
school and community. The school has a fully equipped science lab and
full-time science teacher, an annual science fair, GATE and Seminar
programs. The PTF also purchases books for the library, sponsors
assemblies, and produces the variety show.
-- Kumeyaay Elementary is in the northern part of the Tierrasanta
neighborhood and provides an enriched curriculum that includes science and
music instruction funded through the school's foundation. Three teachers
have received the prestigious certification by the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards. The school has "Caught Being Good Slips,"
where a student is given the award for random acts of kindness. Military
family support is important, with nearby base housing.
-- La Jolla Elementary School is a historic campus located in "downtown"
La Jolla. With an active foundation and parent community. The focus is on
creating lifelong learners, enthusiastic readers and critical thinkers.
Sciences are also important, with oceanography units that help kids learn
about the nearby Pacific Ocean. The PTO and Foundation have helped create
a beautiful campus learning environment and hold regular events keep the
community involved.
-- Dingeman Elementary is located in the Miramar Ranch North neighborhood
of the Scripps Ranch community and is proud of its community connection:
it is named after a local civic activist Bob Dingeman. The school's API
exceeds 900 and the school mixes high academic standards with
acknowledgement that parents, teachers and community members are all
partners in education.
-- Tierrasanta Elementary is in the center of the Tierrasanta
neighborhood. Parents and community members volunteer in classrooms and
provide enrichment programs and special projects. In addition, Art Corps,
student recognition, gardening classroom volunteering, as well as the
school¹s and website, offer multiple ways for parents and community
members to become involved.
-- Toler Elementary is located in the southwest part of the Clairemont
community, overlooking Mission Bay. Toler parents volunteer in the
classroom and serve on various decision-making groups, such as the Parent
Teacher Association, School Site Council, Site Governance Team, and
English Learner Advisory Committee. Toler parents participate in
recognition assemblies, student activities, family events, student
performances, and Family Academic Nights.
-- Torrey Pines Elementary is located high on a bluff overlooking the
Pacific Ocean. Its proximity to the UC San Diego campus provides an
opportunity for collaboration with an institute of higher learning. It
consistently ranks as one of the top performing elementary schools in San
Diego County and is in the top five percent of schools in the state. It
has a very active parent involvement program, spearheaded by the Torrey
Pines Elementary School Foundation.
For more information from the state Department of Education, go to
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/dslisting2012.asp. For a list of San Diego
Unified distinguished schools through the years, go to
http://tinyurl.com/8927pf8.
# # #
CONTACT:
Jack Brandais
Communications Department
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (Desk)
(619) 607-0477 (Cell)
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