Three FUESD schools honored as 2016 Gold Ribbon Schools

Three Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) schools were recently honored by the state as 2016 Gold Ribbon Schools.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that Fallbrook Street, Mary Fay Pendleton, and San Onofre schools were among the 29 San Diego County elementary schools being honored. Throughout the state, 772 out of 6,000 eligible schools were given the Gold Ribbon honor.

“We are so pleased that our schools are being recognized for the outstanding programs we provide our students," said FUESD superintendent Candy Singh. "Statewide recognition honors the progress of our students and the hard work of our staff.”

The three FUESD schools named Gold Ribbon Schools were among the Title I schools that were also recognized as Academic Achieving Schools. This distinction is given only to schools receiving federal Title I funds that aid in meeting the educational needs of students living at or below the poverty level.

The awards recognize schools that have made gains in implementing California’s new academic and performance standards. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

"These schools shine as bright beacons for others, putting forth an exemplary effort to ensure that every student is ready for 21st century college and careers," Torlakson said. "California teachers are developing an education model for the nation, training the students of today to be the problem-solvers, inventors, and pioneers of tomorrow."

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to honor schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment and accountability systems.

The Exemplary Program Awards were created in 2013 to celebrate those schools carrying out the goals in Torlakson’s A Blueprint for Great Schools report, which provided vision and direction for the California education system.

Schools applied for the award based on a model program or practice their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies. Last year, the state recognized 193 middle schools and 180 high schools as Gold Ribbon School Award recipients.

“I’m delighted to honor these schools and programs, which are doing a tremendous job preparing our students for 21st century opportunities and graduating lifelong learners in the process,” Torlakson said.

According to the state's presentation, California elementary schools that have made tremendous gains in implementing State Board policies and their Local Control Accountability Plan are invited to apply for the Gold Ribbon Schools Award. Model programs and practices should include standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that schools have adopted during this transitional period, which can be replicated by other local educational agencies.

“All of our schools provide exceptional programs that support high academic achievement, as well as leadership development for our students," said Singh. "It is so special for our community to have three of our outstanding schools be awarded a California Gold Ribbon.”

The 2016 Elementary Gold Ribbon Schools as well as the Title I Academic Achieving Schools will be honored in May and June during regional ceremonies held in Santa Clara, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Visalia, and Sacramento.