Chaparral, Los Peñasquitos, Park Village, and Westwood elementary schools awarded Blue Ribbons

15 PUSD schools have received highest national educational honor

        The path to receiving Blue Ribbon recognition begins years before the coveted national flag is presented by the United States Department of Education in Washington, D.C. A school community must demonstrate it has discovered the keys to success. Are students learning? What evidence is there of student achievement? How involved are the families of the students? Are teachers receiving meaningful, ongoing staff development? How has the school used data and surveys for improvement?

       Four schools from the Poway Unified School District received the highest honors for educational excellence for 2000-2001. They were recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools at a formal ceremony held October 25 in Washington, D.C. Representatives from Chaparral, Los Peñasquitos, Park Village, and Westwood elementary schools received flags and plaques designating their schools with the nation’s highest educational honor.

       Educators from schools around the country were further honored by the appearance of First Lady Laura Bush. The First Lady arrived during the ceremony to congratulate the 264 public and private elementary schools being recognized for excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, and parent involvement.

       In addition, Poway Unified joined other San Diego County Blue Ribbon Schools representatives at a reception hosted by U.S. Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Cunningham congratulated everyone, saying, “You are the best of the best. You really are our heroes!”

       “The Blue Ribbon is not about one test, or one day at a school. Rather, it represents the total commitment, caring and sense of community, academic excellence, and accountability that exists in Blue Ribbon schools,” said John Collins, Deputy Superintendent.

       The process for Blue Ribbon recognition begins with state agencies, the Department of Defense, and the Council for American Private Education nominating schools eligible for the Blue Ribbon. Selection of Blue Ribbon Schools is based on an evaluation of written materials from the nominated schools and the reports of experienced principals and teachers who visit the schools. Reviewers make recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Education for final selection. Elementary and secondary schools participate in alternate years with middle schools participating in the program with high schools. The application covers every aspect of school life, from reviews and reports on school programs and curriculum, assessment of students, goals and objectives, the hiring of teachers, to involvement of parents and the school community.

       “The Blue Ribbon School awards reflect the hard work of our teachers, students, support staff, parents, businesses, and volunteers. We believe through this shared support and commitment we can challenge our students to do their very best. We are very proud of our schools,” said Donald Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent of Poway Unified.

       Fifteen Poway Unified schools have been recognized since the program began 18 years ago. They are: Bernardo Heights Middle School, 2000; Black Mountain Middle School, 2000, 1991; Chaparral Elementary School, 2001, 1992; Los Peñasquitos Elementary School, 2001; Meadowbrook Middle School, 2000, 1985; Morning Creek Elementary School, 1994; Mesa Verde Middle School, 2000; Mt. Carmel High School, 2000, 1989; Park Village Elementary School, 2001; Pomerado Elementary School, 1990; Poway High School, 1991; Rancho Bernardo High School, 2000; Sundance Elementary School, 1988; Twin Peaks Middle School, 2000, 1991, 1984; Westwood Elementary School, 2001. Additionally, Twin Peaks Middle School has the honor of being one of the few schools in the nation recognized three times.