2 Local Schools Nominated for U.S. Award

SANTA CLARITA — Meadows and Newhall elementary schools are among six Los Angeles County campuses and 34 others statewide nominated for national recognition by the U. S. Department of Education.

Also nominated for a Blue Ribbon award is White Oak elementary in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

The award recognizes academic achievement and is alternated annually between elementary and secondary schools.

“It’s a wonderful validation of what goes on every day,” said Diane von Buelow, Meadows principal. “I think it’s good for children to see their school spirit and efforts recognized.”

The two Santa Clarita schools are part of the Newhall School District.

Other nominated Los Angeles County elementary schools and their districts are: Charles F. Kettering from Long Beach Unified, Charles H. Lee from Azusa Unified and Gardenhill Elementary from Norwalk-La Mirada Unified.

“It’s just an honor to be nominated,” said Joyce Wetterau, Newhall principal.

California candidates were selected from this year’s California Distinguished Schools award winners and had to meet federal requirements in reading and math tests or demonstrate growth and improvement in those areas in light of demographic disadvantages, such as financial hardship or limited English-proficient students.

Selections also were based on the demonstration of school leadership, an effective teaching environment, curriculum and parent and community support.

“We were really scrutinized in all aspects of school life,” von Buelow said.

Education officials are scheduled to gather in Washington next month to review the nominees from each state and visit qualifying schools during April. Winners will be announced in late May.

But just earning a nomination is considered high praise for a school.

Only 19 California schools received the Blue Ribbon designation in 1992, including two in Los Angeles County--Rio Vista Elementary in Santa Clarita’s Saugus Union School District and Willow Elementary in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

“These are excellent models for other elementary programs in the state and across the country,” said William Dawson, acting state superintendent of public instruction.