Four schools nominated for statewide distinction

Four campuses in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District have been nominated for the California Distinguished School Award this year, tying an all-time district record.

Every year since 1985, the state Department of Education has spotlighted schools that post high marks on both state and federal standards. This month, four elementary schools in Newport-Mesa ? California, Lincoln, Mariners and Victoria elementary schools ? received nominations for the distinguished award, with an honorable mention for Eastbluff Elementary School.

Over the next month, a state evaluation team will visit all four nominated schools to validate the facts that administrators listed on their applications. State Supt. Jack O’Connell will announce the official winners at a ceremony in April, with a plaque and flag going to each selected campus.

The four nominations for Newport-Mesa ties the district’s record from 2000, when Harbor View, Kaiser, Killybrooke and Victoria elementary schools were named as distinguished schools. The honor, given annually to about 5% of California public schools, lasts for four years at a time.

“We were very pleased to be able to see that four of our schools will be recognized by the state,” said Supt. Robert Barbot. “From my perspective, I’m just grateful for the teamwork between administrators, teachers and parents that leads to that success. That’s what makes a school community.”

In the fall, the Department of Education invited elementary schools to submit applications for distinguished school recognition. Administrators had to fill out a series of forms describing their schools’ programs, curricula, student demographics and other factors. To qualify for a nomination, a school had to reach standards set in the federal No Child Left Behind Act and had to have post high marks on the state Academic Performance Index.

In all, the state received 997 applications and nominated 368 elementary schools for the honor, according to Jeff Zettel, manager of the awards unit for the Department of Education. The competition alternates each year between elementary and secondary schools; Newport Harbor High School won recognition in 2005.

A committee of several hundred educators, including superintendents, teachers and college faculty, looks over the applications. Zettel said most nominees for distinguished school recognition end up receiving the award after the site visits.

“It would be very unusual that we would go out and find something at a particular site that wasn’t mentioned on their application,” he said. “We essentially want to validate what’s been put down.”

In all, Newport-Mesa has received 18 distinguished school awards over the last two decades, with some sites winning multiple times. If the district’s current nominees win, two of them ? California and Mariners ? will be first-time recipients.

“It’s a school that has a large amount of parent involvement and dedicated teachers that know their craft well,” said Mariners Principal Pam Coughlin. “When you combine those two things, you come up with an excellent school, and we have those two things.”

Victoria Principal Judy Laasko, who led her school to a distinguished award six years ago, attributed the school’s success to the community.

“It’s a reflection of everybody’s hard work,” Laasko said. “I think Victoria has a wonderful team feeling. The entire Victoria community works together for the success of all children. We’ve always had very high standards.”

NEWPORT-MESA DISTRICT

DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

WINNERS

1986