2012 Golden Bell Award Winners

Integrated Learning Environment
Bonsall Union Elementary School District
San Diego County
Lou Riddle, Board President; Richard Olson, Timothy Coen, Richard Smith and Sylvia Tucker, Board Members; Justin Cunningham, Superintendent; Randolph Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools
The Integrated Learning Environment integrates digital assessment with web-based gaming applications that personalize instruction while integrating learning among school and home environments (blended online through a cloud approach). Self-assessment leads to students’
self-accountability and successful district-wide results.

Claremont After-School Program, Inc.
Claremont Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Jeff Stark, Board President; Teddie Warner, President, Board of Directors; Mary Caenepeel, Vice President, Board of Education; Steven Llanusa, Hilary LaCoute, Sam Mowbray and Carole Harter, Board Members
The Claremont After-school Programs, Inc. is a non-denominational, non-profit organization that offers homework assistance, healthy snacks, recreation and enrichment to about 160 elementary school children through professional site supervisors and 170 volunteer tutors.

Bridging the Achievement Gap by Creating a Visual Data Tracking System
Temperance-Kutner Elementary School
Clovis Unified School District
Fresno County
Jim Van Volkinburg, Board President; Janet
Young, Superintendent; Rosalie Baker, Assistant Superintendent; Randy Hein, Principal; Becky Douglas and Jennifer Thao, Teachers
The Bridging the Achievement Gap by Creating a Visual Data Tracking System program allows staff to visually post comprehensive data on each student and consistently track, analyze and monitor progress and program effectiveness to ensure improved performance for each child and team.

Daily Block Schedule
Vicentia Elementary School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
Riverside County
Bill Newberry, Board President; Michael Lin,
Superintendent; Cecilia Arzago-Chester, Principal; Theresa Squires, Teacher on Special Assignment
Vicentia Elementary has an innovative block schedule which provides collaboration time to analyze data, share best teaching practices, and coordinate data-driven interventions. In 2013, Vicentia was recognized as a California Distinguished School, a Title I AAA school and a Model School for Academic Excellence.

The Young Scholars Program
Valencia Park Elementary School
Fullerton School District
Orange County
Hilda Sugarman, Board President; Robert Pletka, Superintendent; Janet Morey, Assistant Superintendent; Emy Flores, Principal; Helene
Morris, Assistant Principal; George Lara, Intervention Specialist
The Young Scholars Program is a technology-based student intervention program that provides academic support for students in language arts and mathematics. The Young Scholars Program increases teacher collaboration and interventions, resulting in achievement for all students through the use of technology.

Literacy Support Specialist Program
Milpitas Unified School District
Santa Clara County
Daniel Bobay, Board President; Marsha Grilli, William Foulk, Danny Lan and Gunawan Alisantosa, Board Members; Michelle Dimas, Assistant Superintendent; Audrey Fong, Literacy Coordinator
The Literacy Support Specialist program provides direct reading intervention services to targeted, at-risk students within the regular classroom, as well as job-embedded professional development on best practices in literacy for teachers. It has helped Milpitas Unified bridge the districtwide achievement gap.

Closing the Achievement Gap
Hidden Springs Elementary School
Moreno Valley Unified School District
Riverside County
Tracey Vackar, Board President; Jesus Holguin, Board Member; Judy White, Superintendent; Cleveland Johnson, Vice President; Martinrex Kedziora, Assistant Superintendent; Misty Kelley, Principal; Nancy Allbee and Michelle Wilson, Teachers
The goal of Hidden Springs’ team is to close the achievement gap among all student subgroups. The school’s practice is to focus on content standards, set high expectations, facilitate professional development, and include parents and community members to support student achievement.

Closing the Achievement Gap with ELLs using ELD/ALD
Julia B. Morrison Elementary School
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Ed Hengler, Board President; Ruth Perez, Superintendent; Ruby Gonzalez, Principal; Eugenia Kim, Jennifer Murrey and Vicki Roberts, Teachers; Cindy Zamora, Categorical Programs Assistant
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s program implements highly effective strategies whereby English learners receive support in English language acquisition and all others receive academic language enrichment. It provides sustained professional development for teachers on meeting the linguistic needs of all students.

ASES Prep
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Darryl Adams, Board President; Ruth Perez,
Superintendent; Maribel Galan, Principal; Rosa
Cameron, Director of State and Federal Programs; Sue Jin Kim and Mark Hernandez, ASES Supervisors
The After School Education and Safety Preparatory program is committed to bridging the achievement gap in K-12 education by providing transformative after-school programming using research-based pedagogical models, data-driven instruction, and opportunities to expose students to higher
education.

HEART: Honoring Excellence, Achievement, Relationships and Teamwork
Franklin Elementary School
Redlands Unified School District
San Bernardino County
Ron McPeck, Board President; Pat Kohlmeier, Neal Waner, Donna West and Patty Holohan, Board Members; Lori Rhodes, Superintendent
Franklin Elementary created the unique HEART philosophy which Honors Excellence, Achievement, Relationships and Teamwork. This philosophy incorporates cultural pride, family involvement, and targeted academic support. Focus on this belief has allowed Franklin’s EL subgroup to bridge the achievement gap.

Students Saving Students: Multiple Methods of Mentoring
La Serna High School
Whittier Union High School District
Los Angeles County
Tim Schneider, Board President; Sandra Thorstenson, Superintendent; Drew Passalacqua, Principal; Ken LaVigne, Kristine Kooiman and Todd Boschman, Teachers; Christine Williams, Link Crew
The Student Mentor Program at La Serna High School has resulted in measurable gains in several targeted areas, including increases in graduation rates, CST scores, and A-G completion rates while decreasing D/F rates and closing the achievement gap.

Differentiated Instruction through Universal Design
Riverside County Office of Education
Riverside County
Gerald Colapinto, Board President; Kenneth Young, Superintendent; Diana Asseier, Assistant Superintendent; Russell Frank, Director of Assessment and Accountability; Mike Barney, Director Instruction Services; Kristin Nicholls, Coordinator; Maritza Rodriguez and Melissa Bazanos, Administrators
Differentiated Instruction through Universal Design closes the achievement gap by integrating Titles I and III, and aligning staff development, student placement, standards-based differentiated instruction, data analysis, professional learning communities, monitoring and support, as well as county, district and site personnel efforts.

Earn While You Learn: The El Monte High School District’s CTE Pathway To Becoming A Medical Assistant
El Monte Union High School District
Los Angeles County
Carlos Salcedo, Board President; Nick Salerno, Superintendent; Juan Ramirez, Teacher; Jim Taite, Director
El Monte Union High School District’s Earn While You Learn program is exemplary in its 100 percent internship placement rates, student and teacher leadership in community health initiatives, and outstanding record of positioning of students for higher education and successful careers as health care professionals.

The Costa Mesa High School Business Academy
Costa Mesa High School
Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Orange County
David Brooks, Board President of Newport-Mesa USD; Tammy Bullard, Board President for Coastline ROP; Frederick Navarro, Superintendent of Newport-Mesa USD; Darlene Le Fort, Superintendent of Coastline ROP; Phil D’Agostino, Principal; Carol Hume, Assistant Superintendent; Cheri Sheldon, Michael Sciacca and Martha Fluor
The Costa Mesa High School Business Academy is a three-year high school pathway program that integrates core academics and career technical education focusing on applied business skills in a school-within-a-school environment.

Green Engineering Academy
Livermore High School
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
Alameda County
William Dunlop, Board President; Kelly Bowers,
Superintendent; Alberto Solorzano, Principal; Mike Waltz and Susan Johnston, Lead Academy Teachers; Alexa Malloy, Todd Schmokel and Kathy Telford, Academy Teachers; business and industry partners
Livermore High School’s Green Engineering California Partnership Academy engages students in dynamic, integrated academic and career technical education courses and business partnerships in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and recycling technology to prepare students for success in high school and beyond.

Character Education
Lilac School
Valley Center-Pauma USD
San Diego County
Barbara Rohrer, Board President; Lou Obermeyer, Superintendent; Lori Johnson, Don Martin, Mavancy Calac Verdugo and Karen Burstein, Board Members; Shannon Hargrave, Principal; Carol Thompson, Teacher
Lilac School students participate in Lizard Lairs, a cross-age mentoring group that provides continuity from kindergarten through fifth grade. Fifth graders are trained and lead monthly Lizard Lairs on character traits. In addition to being a Lair Leader, students rotate through various leadership positions on campus. Teachers and students participate in classroom character lessons, read books, and celebrate together at Patriotic Character Assemblies. Student behavior is rewarded with ‘character cards’, recognized at assemblies, and honored with a monthly Lizard Luncheon and Lizard Tags.

Partnership to Improve Oral Health and Student Achievement
Bakersfield City School District
Kern County
Bill McDougle, Board President; Robert Arias,
Superintendent; Elliott Schlang, Chief Dental Officer; Randall Ranes, Director, Instructional Support Services; Debbie Wood, Coordinator, School Health
A partnership was formed with Dr. Elliott Schlange and Big Smiles Dental to provide a full range of no-cost dental care for underserved pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students at school-based dental clinics.

The CARE Youth Project
Escondido Union School District
San Diego County
Mary Gilbert, Board President; Jennifer Walters,
Superintendent; Kimberly Israel, Project Director
The CARE (Collaborative Agency Resources for
Escondido) Youth Project creates a safer and
healthier community for Escondido youth through the establishment of a network of school-based and school-linked resources that ensure all youth are academically and personally successful.

Athletes as Readers and Leaders
Central High School
Central Unified School District
Fresno County
George Wilson Jr., Board President; Mike Berg,
Superintendent; Robert Griffith, Principal; Tina Johnson, Assistant Principal; Paul Birrell, Director; Laurel Ashlock, Chief Academic Officer; James Gambrell, Athletic Director; Janet Wile, Library Media Teacher
Athletes as Readers and Leaders is part of Central Unified School District’s Community Literacy Outreach. The program improves the level of community awareness about physical activity, and eating healthy while spreading the joy of reading to elementary students.

u-PLAN it – College, Career & Beyond
Kern County Office of Education
Kern County
Mary Little, Board President; Don Cowan, Board
Member; Christine Frazier, Superintendent
u-PLANit is an online resource designed to help
Kern County middle and high school students
explore their future. The website’s primary goal is to provide students with the information they need to complete high school and move on to higher education or successfully enter the work force. u-PLANit allows students to experience college life through virtual campus tours, explore potential careers through hundreds of videos, investigate financial aid options, and find out what high school classes they need to get them where they want to go. u-PLANit is a continually evolving resource that engages students in the exploration
of their future.

Artspiration – The Santa Clara County Arts Initiative
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Santa Clara County
Joseph Disalvo, Board President; Xavier De La Torre, Superintendent; Lisa Marie Gonzales, Coordinator; Angelica Ramsey, Chief Academic Officer; Julie Fry, Program Funder-The William Flora Hewlett Foundation
Through strong relationships with districts, teacher leaders, administrators, legislators, nonprofits, and arts organizations, the Santa Clara County Arts Initiative’s Artspiration endeavors to “ensure every student has access to quality arts in all forms as part of a comprehensive education that sparks curiosity, creativity and joy.”

Tehama County Small Schools’ Consortium
Tehama County Office of Education
Tehama County
Danny Rabalais, Board President; Larry Champion, Superintendent; Charles Allen Deputy Superintendent; Diane Ehrie, Consultant, Educational Support Services; Lorna Manuel, Administrator Educational Support Services
The Tehama County Small Schools’ Consortium is an answer to the challenge of running a small district. Nine of the county’s smallest districts joined a consortium to make possible together what was impossible for them individually. It’s the demonstration of the power of collaboration on many levels.

Culture Program
Oak Park Unified School District
Ventura County
Jan Iceland, Board President; Jennifer Von Schneidau, Board Member; Anthony Knight, Superintendent
The Oak Park Unified School District’s Chinese
Language & Culture Program enhances cultural
and language awareness at the elementary school level, provides introductory language/culture classes at the middle school level and promotes language proficiency and cultural understanding at the high school level.

Child Development Center Preschool
Del Mar Union School District
San Diego County
Scott Wooden, Board President; Holly McClurg, Superintendent; Julie Geisbauer, Director, Early Childhood; Marisa Tirri, Preschool Coordinator; Cara Schukoske, Director, Student Services
The Child Development Center preschool focuses on the personal growth of every child. The program serves children ages six weeks old through pre-kindergarten, including services for special needs preschoolers starting at age three.

Music and Movement – On the Go
La Habra City Elementary School District
Orange County
Paul Rodriguez, Board President; Sharon Brown, Sandi Baltes, Susan Hango and Linda Edwards, Board Members; Susan Belenardo, Superintendent; Teresa Egan, Administrative Director of Education Services; Oralia Birakos, School Readiness Coordinator; Joanna Lindenberger, Community Liaison
Music and Movement – On the Go offers parent and child classes based on the California
Preschool Learning Foundations to help children build vocabulary and literacy skills through music and movement activities. The workshop also provides literacy materials for parents and children in the home.

On the Road to Excellence
Napa County Office of Education
Napa County
Jennifer Kresge, Board President; Barbara Nemko, Superintendent; Andrea Knowlton, Director of Early Childhood Services
The Napa Preschool’s “On the Road to Excellence” Program offers children with identified special education needs the opportunity to be educated with same-age peers in a natural classroom environment. The program provides special education services and therapies integrated into classroom routines.

Baldwin Park Unified School District Graduate Intern Program
Baldwin Park Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Christina Lucero, Board President; Mark Skvarna, Superintendent; Froilan Mendoza, Associate Superintendent; Ricardo Rivera, Director of Early Childhood Education
Baldwin Park Unified School District has collaborated with various local universities
including CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, Azusa Pacific University and University of Southern California to provide graduate student internships that increase the availability and accessibility of mental health services for families.

Slammin’ in the Library Central High School
Central Unified School District
Fresno County
George Wilson Jr., Board President; Mike Berg,
Superintendent; Robert Griffith, Principal; Tina Johnson, Assistant principal; Paul Birrell, Director; Laurel Ashlock, Chief Academic Officer; Janet Wile, Library Media Teacher
Slammin’ in the Library is an annual poetry contest that gives students the opportunity to share their love of poetry and talent in both the written form and oral interpretation of the work.

iTouch into Elementary Foreign Language
Wild Rose Elementary School
Monrovia Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Bryan Wong, Board President; Alexandra Zucco, Board Member; Linda Wagner, Superintendent; Stacy Ayers, Principal; Anna Guzman-Gonzales, Kindergarten Teacher; Maria Lomelin, 1st Grade Teacher; Antonia Iranfar, 2nd Grade Teacher; Gloria Mosqueda-Ruiz, 3rd Grade Teacher
Wild Rose Elementary School is teaching a foreign language with the support of touch technology for each student. Bilingual teachers at each grade level use applications on their iPads to teach Spanish and utilize the iPods to reinforce Spanish Language Acquisition.

San Ysidro School District – Power Hour
San Ysidro Elementary School District
San Diego County
Paul Randolph, Board President; Manuel Paul,
Superintendent; Jason Wells, Jean Romero, Yolanda Hernandez and Raquel Marquez, Board Members
Power Hour is an innovative instructional
intervention for students using the California standards. It consists of grade-level teaming
in which each teacher differentiates instruction, targeting each student’s area of need and
helping to bridge the achievement gap.

Engagement through Technology
Sierra Vista Elementary School
Val Verde Unified School District
Riverside County
Shelly Yarbrough, Board President; Stacey Guzman, Michael Vargas, Wraymond Sawyerr and Fredy Deleon, Board Members; Juan Lopez, Superintendent; Mike McCormick, Assistant Superintendent; Corby Warren, Principal
In the ever changing world of education, teachers are fighting the battle of engaging students and making learning interesting. At Sierra Vista, they utilize the latest technology to effectively ensure that all students are engaged and working towards mastery.

Collaborative Coaching and Learning in the Menifee Union School District
Menifee Union Elementary School District
Riverside County
Jerry Bowman, Board President; Linda Callaway, Superintendent
The primary role of the Collaborative Coaching and Learning Program is to place highly skilled classroom teachers in supportive roles to assist in the implementation of district research-based instructional initiatives aimed at increasing student achievement.

Working On Our Future (WOOF)
Exeter Union High School District
Tulare County
Ray Strable, Board President; Time Hire, Superintendent; Laurie Goodman, Deputy Superintendent; Denise Akin, Principal; Joe Engelbrecht, CEO of Boys & Girls Club; Bill Sario, Rising Sun Company; The Exeter Optimist Club; Beth Micari and Joe Hachee Teachers; Kathy Rosas, Guidance Associate
The Working on Our Future (WOOF) Program is a high school drop-out prevention collaborative involving the Exeter High School District, the business community, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias.

The CAHSEE Camp — A Tool for High Achievement
Valley View High School
Moreno Valley Unified School District
Riverside County
Tracy Vackar, Board President; Judy White,
Superintendent; Kristen Hunter, Principal; Debra McQuain, Lizette Nava, Traci Bulanek, Mike Dolan, Sandra Garcia, Maury Yzaguirre and Marissa Zarate, Coordinators
The CAHSEE Camp’s A Tool for High Achievement is a self-supporting program designed to improve Valley View’s 10th-grade students’ passing and proficiency rate on the CAHSEE exam, increase API and AYP scores, and earn back valuable ADA for the school.

Diploma Certification for Courses of Study
Santa Susana High School
Simi Valley Unified School District
Ventura County
Janice DiFatta, Board President; Kathy Scroggin, Superintendent; Jason Peplinski, Principal; Tee Buckle and Wendy Mayea Assistant Principals; Dan Houghton, Director of Secondary Education; Pam Carter, Coordinator
The Santa Susana High School Certification Process recognizes a culminating college preparatory experience in which students pursue coursework, academic achievement and a performance-based experience in one of 17 areas of emphasis. Upon meeting recognition requirements, students earn certifications on their high school diplomas.

Morning Reading Club
Rowland Avenue Elementary School
Covina-Valley Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Rich White, Board President; Catherine Nichols,
Superintendent; Judy Gonzales, Principal; Luisa Diaz, Parent Coordinator; Page Christensen, Learning Specialist
The Morning Reading Club is an exciting place to be. Children and parents wait in anticipation every morning for a chance to read books, take quizzes, and earn prizes. Their ultimate reward is earning a chance to dunk their principal.

Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Event, Cesar Chavez Day of Service Learning
Live Oak Elementary School
Fallbrook Union Elementary School District
San Diego County
Patrick Rusnel, Board President; Candace Singh, Superintendent; Eric Forseth, Assistant Superintendent; Lillian Perez, Principal; Maria Gomez, Leticia Maldonado, Co-Chairs
Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Event is a school community service project that encourages families to read together. It includes leveled story reading and literacy activities for students, workshops for parents, and free books for everyone. While targeting lowincome families, it is open and attended by all.

Collaborative Coaching Model for Teachers
Barstow Unified School District
San Bernardino County
Mary Rodriguez, Board President; Jeff Malan,
Superintendent; Teresa Healy, Assistant
Superintendent; Reynante Ramos, Secondary Math Coach; Heather Reid, Elementary ELA Coach; Cynthia Espinoza, Secondary ELA Coach; Sherry Powell, Elementary Math Coach; Lorena Hug, K-12 ELD Coach
The Barstow Unified School District Collaborative Coaching Model program provides teachers with ongoing support to increase the academic success of all K-12 students by using collaborative PLCs, research-based instructional strategies and data analysis to design and deliver effective lessons that maximize student achievement.

TIP (Teacher Induction Program)
Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa ROP
San Bernardino County
Jane Smith, Board President; Stephanie Houston, Superintendent
The Teacher Induction Program is designed to
support and provide an effective transition into
the teaching profession for first and second year Career and Technical Education teachers. The program provides individualized support and assistance along with strategies for maximizing student and teacher success.

Teacher Support Program
Redlands Unified School District
San Bernardino County
Ron McPeck, Board President; Lori Rhodes,
Superintendent; Pat Kohlmeier, Patty Holohan, Donna West and Neal Waner, Board Members
The Teacher Support Program supports teachers that are struggling to meet student achievement expectations. This innovative program provides teachers with an opportunity for involvement in a comprehensive program with a demonstration teacher and a highly trained teacher-on-assignment for one-on-one coaching.

The Napa County Hablamos Program
Napa County Office of Education
Napa County
Jennifer Kresge, Board President; Don Huffman, Board Member; Barbara Nemko, Superintendent; Jan Sabo, Assistant Superintendent; Lori Hill, Hablamos Coordinator; Amanda Steil, Reseach and Evaluation Specialist
The Napa County Hablamos Program provides an opportunity for school employees to learn Spanish at their convenience from any computer that has Internet access so they can support Spanish speaking students and families.

Sharing Our Acceptance and Respect (SOAR)
Paul Ecke Central Elementary School
Encinitas Union Elementary School District
San Diego County
Emily Andrade, Board President; Carol Skiljan, Maria Strich, Gregg Sonken and Maureen Muir, Board Members; Timothy Baird, Superintendent; Adriana Chavarin, Principal; Maria Waskin, Director; Sue Liesegang, Education Specialist
Sharing Our Acceptance and Respect (SOAR), is an awareness program designed to help students better understand what it means and how it feels to be a young person with a disability. SOAR provides peer support on the Paul Ecke Central playground during recess.

Assistive Technology and Sensory Integration
San Diego County Office of Education
San Diego County
Mark Anderson, Board President; Randolph Ward, Superintendent; Tim Glover, Assistant Superintendent; Diana Lynn, Principal; Carolyn Nunes, Senior Director, Special Education; Shannon Unterberg, Assistive Technology Specialist; Lida Ramos, Occupational Therapist; Maureen Elmore and Melody Rodriguez, Special Education Teachers
Assistive Technology and Sensory Integration is a program that meets the individual needs of medically fragile students with multiple disabilities by providing the students with a variety of opportunities to connect with the curriculum through assistive technology and sensory integration.

Marsh Junior High School Model Autism Site
Marsh Junior High School
Chico Unified School District
Butte County
Andrea Thompson, Board President; Kelly Staley, Superintendent; Eric Snedeker and Jay Marchant, Principals; Erica Sheridan and Jeaner Kassel, Vice Principals; Amy Berens, Speech and Language Therapist: Taryn Blizman, Teacher; Cathy Smith, Butte County Office of Education
Marsh Junior High Model Autism program addresses the unique needs of junior high students with autism. Selected as one of three model sites in California, the program supports the implementation of evidence-based practices through resources, professional development, and technical assistance.

Exciting Minds & Language Skills towards Independence
Escondido High School
Escondido Union High School District
San Diego County
Tina Pope, Board President; Randy Garcia, Kurt Mahler, George McClure and Jon Peterson, Board Members; Ed Nelson, Superintendent; Susan Kroncke, Director of Special Education
Escondido High School is using technology in innovative ways to help students with severe autism learn to communicate, interact and achieve their IEP/personal goals. The classroom is equipped with the latest technology and it is seamlessly woven into the curriculum.

Troy High School Best Buddies Program
Troy High School
Fullerton Joint Union High School District
Orange County
Bob Hathaway, Board President; George Giokaris, Superintendent; Margaret Buchan, Principal; Sandi Kossler, Best Buddies Advisor; Glen Madrid, Best Buddies Co-Advisor; Greg Platt, Teacher
Troy High School’s Best Buddies Program is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities
for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by matching mainstreamed, regular education students with a “Buddy” from Troy’s Special Educational department.

SUCSESS Program for Students with Moderate/Severe Autism
Edison High School
Huntington Beach Union High School District
Orange County
Michael Simons, Board President; Greg Plutko,
Superintendent; D’liese Melendrez, Principal; Jim Keating, Director, Special Education; Lori Matsumoto and Dave Yonts, Success Teachers; Jennifer Morton, Success Speech and Language Specialist; Crissy Werner, District Autism Specialist
The SUCSESS (Systematic Utilization of Comprehensive Strategies for Ensuring Student
Success) program was developed to provide an innovative and functional education to high school age students with moderate and severe autism who need a structured and supportive environment to meet their unique needs.

Riverside County Office of Education Transition Partnership Program
Riverside County Office of Education
Riverside County
Gerald Colapinto, Board President; Kenneth Young, Superintendent; Elizabeth Romero Toledo, Board Member; Lynn Smith, Program Coordinator; Ann Vessey, Executive Director; Rebecca Silva, Administrator; Virginia Hodgson, Jocelyn Edwards and Rene Kesler, Teachers
The Transition Partnership Program allows 15 school districts to receive free, high quality transition services for high school seniors and recent graduates through the Riverside County Office of Education’s Transition Partnership Program (RCOE-TPP). RCOE-TPP annually serves 30 high schools and 1,000 young people who have disabilities.

Transition to Adult Living Program
Washington Unified School District
Yolo County
Theresa Blackmer, Board President; Dayton Gilleland, Superintendent; Diana Blackman, Director, Special Services; Chad Hinton, Education Specialist
The Transition from School to Adult Living Program is a program designed to assist young adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 21 successfully transition from school to adult living. The primary purpose of the program is to prepare the students to live as productively and as
independently as possible when they exit the program.

Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice
Alhambra Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Patricia Rodriguez-Mackintosh, Board President; Jane Anderson, Robert Gin, Adele Andrade-Stadler and Chester Chau, Board Members; Laura Tellez Gagliano, Superintendent; Judy Huffaker, Nutrition Education Specialist
The Alhambra Unified School District supports students in making healthy lifestyle habits. Skill-based nutrition education interventions, from classroom instruction to cafeteria connections, and innovative physical activity strategies empower student leaders to inspire healthy change on a peer-to-peer level.

Primero Homeless Program
San Ysidro Elementary School District
San Diego County
Paul Randolph, Board President; Yolanda Hernandez, Jean Romero and Raquel Marquez, Board Members; Manual Paul, Superintendent; Jason Michael-Bradley, Wells Board Vice President; Veronica Medina, Family and Community Services Facilitator
Families First was established as a model program following the recommendations of the Sacramento County Task Force, Education for Homeless Children, to eliminate barriers to education. This program is supported by a grant from the California Department of Education McKinney-Vento Act.

Gateway to Success
Alhambra Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Patricia Rodriguez-Mackintosh, Board President; Laura Tellez-Galiano, Superintendent; Marsha Gilbert, Assistant Superintendent; Laurel Bear, Director, Student Services; Mark Yokoyama, Alhambra Chief of Police Department; Sam Chan, Department of Mental Health; Marian Thompson, Deputy in Charge; Joe Ho, Pacific Clinics; Jesse Chang, Kingdom Causes, Catalyst
The Gateway to Success program links students to clinicians helping children work through social-emotional challenges that interfere with their academic success. Yearly, Gateway links approximately 1,600 students to school-based mental health services and facilitates educational and empowering workshops and training for parents, staff and students.

Sierra Middle School’s Green Team and Kids for Solar Energy
Sierra Middle School
Bakersfield City Elementary School District
Kern County
Bill McDougle, Board President; Robert Arias,
Superintendent; Tomas Prieto, Principal; Rene Gonzalez, Custodian; Allison Arnold and Bob Hodash, Science Teachers
The Green Team and Solar Clubs are student-led efforts to create a better environment, cleaner future, and reduce the school and community’s carbon footprint. These programs have been highly successful and have positively impacted Sierra students, the community and other schools.

Huntington Beach High School Scientific Research Program
Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach Union High School District
Orange County
Michael Simons, Board President; Gregory Plutko, Superintendent; John Sims, Owner, Ocean Gear; Nancy Caruso, Founder, Get Inspired; Ken Ostrowski, Program Director
The Huntington Beach High School Scientific Research program provides students of all grade levels with unique opportunities to engage in scientific research of their choosing, as well as educates them about the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

DIGICOM
Palm Springs Unified School District
Riverside County
Richard Clapp, Board President; Christine Anderson, Superintendent; David Vogel, Ambassador; Lee Grafton, Technology Specialist; Larry Fulton, Visual Consultant; Steve Pougnet, Mayor, City of Palm Springs; Will Carr, Director; Lorri McCune, Retired Superintendent, Palm Springs Unified School District
DIGICOM, produced by the Palm Springs Unified School District and community, develops students’ 21st century Skills focusing on communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity through moviemaking. DIGICOM provides equipment, professional development, and incentives facilitating excellence in digital storytelling.

U.S.A. Learns
Sacramento County Office of Education
Sacramento County
Greg Geeting, Board President; David Gordon, Superintendent; John Fleischman, Assistant Superintendent, Technology Services; Andrea Willis, Director, Internet & Media Services; Melinda Holt, Project Specialist; Raymond Fox and Mike Fox, Multi Media Design Specialists
U.S.A. Learns (usalearns.org) is a free online English as a second language (ESL) instructional program developed primarily for immigrant adults with limited English language skills who have difficulty attending traditional classroom programs because of challenges with schedules, transportation or other barriers.

The Sonoma/Napa Afterschool Partnership (SNAP) Program
Napa County Office of Education
Napa County
Jennifer Kresge, Board President; Barbara Nemko, Superintendent; Julie McClure and Terry Longoria, Program Directors
The SNAP Program is a unique partnership of the Napa County Office of Education and LEA’s across Napa and Sonoma counties. The program infuses AmeriCorps volunteers into state-funded after school programs at low-income and high-need schools to improve student teacher ratios, support tutoring and homework completion, and bring new enrichment opportunities to youth.