Walnut Valley Hosts Superintendent Welcome Reception and Celebration of Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
February 4, 2011 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Walnut Valley Hosts Superintendent Welcome Reception and Celebration of Schools
WALNUT, CA-- Walnut Valley Unified School District staff and administrators, community members, and government officials attended the official welcome reception for new Superintendent, Dr. Dean Conklin as well as a Celebration of Excellence in Teaching and Learning in our outstanding schools. The event was held at Walnut High School on February 2.
“Today is a day about celebration for our schools and a new beginning with our new leader, Dr. Conklin,” said Board President Cindy Ruiz in her introduction.
“He is someone who gets it when we say, ‘Kids First, Every Student, Every Day’. He will bring a new energy and great leadership. And that is the focus we will need as we move forward,” she added.
After Superintendent Dr. Conklin received several Certificates of Recognition and well wishes from local officials, he told the audience he felt happy “he was coming home to Walnut Valley.”
Dr. Conklin acknowledged several previous District leaders, including former Superintendents Dr. David Brown and Dr. Ron Hockwalt, who worked very hard setting the tone in the District.
“Walnut Valley is known throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Southern California for academic achievement, innovation, and leadership. The bar has been set very high,” he said.
“One of our strengths in the District is our Board of Education. Their decisions are based on what’s best for kids,” he said.
“We are a well-positioned District and our test scores are remarkable,” he said. “When I visit our schools, I see that they are firmly committed to the success of the whole child.”
Dr. Conklin said public education would be changing in the coming months and years. “And we are ready to take on those challenges, because we make sure that kids are the most important thing in the District.”
Wonderful entertainment was provided by the Rhapsody in Blue girls’ choir under the direction of Lisa Lopez. Over 40 talented singers performed “Keep Holding On” and a
“Can You Feel a Brand New Day” medley.
As 14 Walnut Valley schools were introduced with their individual accomplishments including continued growth in API and student achievement, the Principal and Teacher of the Year came to the stage and received a certificate and congratulations from all five Board Members.
The program was attended by representatives from the Office of U.S. Congressman Gary Miller, Senator Bob Huff, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, along with Mayor Pro Tem Ling-Ling Chang, and Council Members Ron Everett, and Jack Tanaka from the City of Diamond Bar and Mayor Tony Cartagena, and Council Members Mary Su, and Nancy Tragarz from the City of Walnut.
Shown:
1. Front row: Walnut Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin (at center), Board Members Cindy Ruiz, Larry Redinger, Helen Hall, Carolyn Elfelt, and Nancy Lyons; flanked by Principals Alysia Hobbs, Quail Summit; and Catherine Real, Diamond Bar High. Back row: Jeff Jordan, Walnut High; Jackie Brown, Castle Rock; Scott Martinez, South Pointe MS; Janet Green, Walnut Elementary; Susan Arzola, C.J. Morris; Les Ojeda, Suzanne MS; Don Trimmer, Evergreen; Nancy Stingley, Maple Hill; Steve Carr, Vejar; Denise Rendon, Westhoff; Robert Chang, Collegewood; and Ron Thibodeaux, Chaparral MS.
2. The Walnut High School Rhapsody in Blue choir performed during the event.
3. Westhoff Principal Denise Rendon and Teacher of the Year Kevin Curtain received congratulations from Board Member Nancy Lyons.
4. Chaparral Middle School teacher Jennifer Alcazar received congratulations from Board Members Larry Redinger and Helen Hall. Jennifer was also named the 2010 WVUSD Teacher of the Year.
5. Maple Hill Principal Nancy Stingley received congratulations from Board Member Helen Hall.
6. South Pointe Middle School Principal Scott Martinez accepts a certificate from Board President Cindy Ruiz.