San Jose Schools Has a Rewarding Summer

San Jose Schools Win Awards and Honors Thisto aid and publize the success of the California
SummerBoard of Education and the school district , like
This summer several San Jose Schools wonSan Jose Schools. The California School
some kind of award or honor for their continuedRecognition Program honors California's best and
achievements in education. Three schools in theinspiring schools with the California Distinguished
San Jose Schools system have won awards forSchool Award. Participation in the program is
successfully competing in the California Studentcompletely voluntary and decided by the school
Media and Multimedia Festival. River Glenn Middledistrict. However, the award is very respect and
School and Almaden Elementary entered amany schools in the state strive to attain it.
multimedia technology and science project into theAbout 5% of the schools in California receive the
competition. This project entitled "EnvironmentalCalifornia Distinguished School Award. Usually
Concerns in the Community" won the Multi-Gradesparticipation in the program includes about 40
& Schools Collaboration for Grades 4-8school districts from across the state. San Jose
category. In this project three San Jose SchoolsSchools has participated for many years and plans
interacted with each other electronically toto continue in the future.
collaborate on a scientific investigation of theCalifornia's Model Schools Project
impact of precautionary measures designed toRecently, two San Jose Schools have been
protect area wetlands. The students participatingselected to participate in the California Model
in the project came from a fourth grade class atSchools Project. The exhaustive application
Almaden Elementary, a fifth grade class atprocess narrowed the selection down to eight
Zanker Elementary and a class from River Glenn.schools in Santa Clara County of which two are
The two main coordinating teachers Marymembers of the San Jose Schools system. The
Howland, Special Education Teacher of River Glentwo schools selected to participate in the California
Middle School, and Beth Fensterwald, TSG ofModel Schools Project were Gardner Academy
Almaden Elementary were also honored.and Willow Glen Middle School. These two schools
Two San Jose Elementary Schools received 2006will work closely with and be supported by other
California Distinguished Schools honors this year.schools across Santa Clara County. They will also
Willow Glen Elementary and Terrell Elementarycollaborate with the Successful Practices Network
were called by State Superintendent of Publicat the International Center for Leadership in
Instruction Jack O'Connell to announce theirEducation. The main goals of the California Model
selection as 2006 California Distinguished Schools.Schools Project is to increase state testing
This honor is given to schools that have shownscores, improve the quality of the schools
themselves to improve over the school year. Theinstructional and leadership practices, and raise
California School Recognition Program is designedcommunity involvement in the schools.