NEWS                                                                                        Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 880 S. Lemon Avenue

May 29, 2012                                                                            Walnut, CA 91789

Contact:         

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

WALNUT, CA— Two elementary students and an award-winning school were recognized by the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees during the meeting held May 23.

Maple Hill Elementary 5th grader Megan Young was honored as the school’s Super Star.  Principal Nancy Stingley said that she exemplifies the core values of the school – articulate, kind, caring, and compassionate.

“It’s wonderful when you have a student who connects their heart and their mind,” she said. Megan is one of the school’s Conflict Mediators who works with the primary grade students. And she was recently honored as a Finalist in the Draw a Cover for the Music K-8 Magazine contest and 3rd Place winner for fifth graders in the Walnut Valley Water District Poster contest.

“Megan is an enthusiastic learner who always gives her personal best. At Maple Hill, we are very proud of her!”

“She just shined,“ shared former kindergarten teacher Marcia Hansen “I’m really going to miss her because she’s one of the few students who always gives me a hug!” said Teacher Shari Criddle who had Megan in both 1st and 4th grade classes.

5th grader Ashley Lee was honored as the Super Star student at Walnut Elementary.  Ashley is an incredible student and has a winning smile that reflects her positive attitude to life, described Principal Janet Green.

She is responsible, highly motivated, and always puts forth her best efforts. She is also a gifted artist, plays a variety of musical instruments, and sings in the school’s choir.

What’s amazing about her accomplishments is that she has severe hearing challenges that affect her ability to learn, Green said.

“Ashley perseveres and uses other learning strategies to be successful in school. We just love her!” Green exclaimed.

The Board of Trustees lauded Walnut Elementary for achieving the state’s top award as a 2012 California Distinguished School.

“This is not an easy feat to accomplish,” said Jose Annicchiarico, administrative director of educational services.

Walnut Elementary was invited to apply to apply for the award because they have shown steady and consistent improvement in API scores and have made significant gains in all the sub group categories.

“As a Title 1 School, this is a remarkable accomplishment,” he explained.

Everybody at Walnut Elementary is dedicated to the children, they always go above and beyond the call of duty, and are always looking for ways to improve, he said.

The complex process to compete for the state’s highest honor included submission and review of a detailed application with the school’s signature practices, followed by a site visit from a team of administrators who visited classrooms and interviewed parents, students, and staff.

“And in the end, it was no surprise that without hesitation Walnut Elementary was named a California Distinguished School!’ he said.

During the award presentation, Board President Larry Redinger congratulated Principal Janet Green and said that the campus would now proudly display the California Distinguished School emblem and flag.

The WVUSD Board of Trustees honored Maple Hill Elementary 5th grader Megan Young as the school’s Super Star. Also shown: Mrs. Young, Megan’s teachers Marsha Hansen and Shari Criddle, Principal Nancy Stingley, and Board President Larry Redinger. 

Walnut Elementary received recognition for being named a 2012 California Distinguished School. Shown: Walnut Elementary Principal Janet Green received congratulations from Board President Larry Redinger. 

WVUSD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin congratulated the Walnut Elementary Principal Janet Green, staff members, and even a few future Walnut El students for achieving the state’s highest honor – being named a 2012 California Distinguished School.