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April 2007
Hall Of Fame
• Since January 2007, more than 400 district employees have received a Super Service Recognition Award for going “above and beyond” in the area of excellent customer service. These awards are generated through the Super Service Commendations program, part of the Family Friendly Schools Initiative. Parents, community members and even fellow employees can complete a Super Service Commendation form to say thanks for a job well done. To see a complete list of employees who have been recognized, go to the Family Friendly Schools website.
• Three outstanding district employees have been selected by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18 as 2006-07 awardees. Merila Lett, confidential administrative assistant I, is the awardee in the Confidential Employee category; Maureen Nolan, vice-principal at Pacific Beach Middle School, is the awardee in the Secondary Co-Administrator category; and Marshall Middle School Principal Rick Novak is the awardee in the Middle Grades Principal category. They will be recognized at the “Honoring Our Own” awards dinner being held Wednesday, May 2.
• Montgomery Middle School Principal Jonathan Ton is a recipient of a 2007 Public Health Champion award by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services in recognition of his efforts in developing the Family Success Center at the school site. Through his efforts, the Linda Vista community now has a one-stop center serving the needs of the children and families such as academic support, physical and mental health services, legal assistance and counseling services.
• De Portola Middle School Math/Technology Teacher Craig Johnson is the 2007 California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) Region 9 Teacher of the Year. This award is given annually to educators who exemplify educational efforts to implement elements of educational reform in the middle school.
• Shirley Culver from the district’s Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) was recognized by the California Association of School Social Workers and the School Social Work Council of the National Association of Social Workers at the 100th Anniversary of School Social Work in America. Under her leadership, the MHRC has grown to 80 staff and is providing evidence-based mental health services for students at all grade levels with the goals of reducing violence and substance abuse, reducing emotional symptoms, improving behavior, raising achievement, and increasing attendance.
• Point Loma High student Torin Ladewig’s film, “Backlash,” has been selected for the Student Film Confidential program by KPBS. The film was shown at the Museum of Photographic Art in April.
• Scripps Ranch High 9th grader Cassandra Stephens was the $1,000 grand prize winner of the 2007 San Diego Cesar Chavez Essay Contest. Her winning essay was selected from among 455 entries from 60 schools throughout San Diego, Orange, and Imperial counties.
• Stephanie Vinson, a senior at La Jolla High, was named the national high school division winner in the sixth annual “Igniting Creative Energy Challenge.” She sculpted an earthen-media fountain that depicts a world being held up by the actions of people who conserve energy and recycle and inscribed the base with almost 100 ways individuals can support our environment. She will receive a VIP tour of Hawaii and trip to Washington, D.C.