_____________________________ ST. NORBERT CHURCH           RATES ________________________

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Six ABC Schools Up for State and National Recognition

Carmen Santas of the Spanish Consulate Office congratulates Meg Jimenez, Principal of Niemes ES upon being name one of 10 national finalists in the School of the Year program sponsored by the Spanish Consulate. With them is Dr. Gary Smuts, Superintendent and Dr. Mary Sieu, Deputy Superintendent.

Six schools in the ABC Unified School District are up for state and national recognition this year. Four elementary schools have been nominated for the 2012 California Distinguished Schools Award. They include two magnet schools in Cerritos, Carver Academy-A Communication Arts Magnet School and Stowers ES International Studies Magnet School. Also nominated for the State’s highest honor is Kennedy Elementary School located in Artesia and Wittmann Elementary School in Cerritos.

All four schools went through successful validation visits by external educators during the month of March. The final announcement of their status is expected by April from the California Department of Education. The California Distinguished Schools Awards ceremony is anticipated to be held on May 3rd, 2012 in the City of Industry.

On March 20th, Niemes ES Magnet of Environmental Science and Technology received a visit by Carmen Fernandez Santas of the Spanish Consulate General Office in Los Angeles. Niemes ES is one of 10 finalists for the School of the Year, a national award program by the Spanish Consulate’s Office recognizing schools promoting biliteracy programs.

Niemes ES located in Artesia has offered the Spanish dual language immersion program for 20 years in ABC Unified School District. Ms. Santas visited classrooms as well as held interviews with school and District staff. The final announcement will be made in April and the winning school will receive the award in Washington, D.C.

Finally, Gonsalves ES in Cerritos has been nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Award sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Only eligible California Distinguished Schools identified by the California Department. of Education were invited to apply for the national recognition program. The announcement of the National Blue Ribbon School Awards is expected later this spring. All awardees will be recognized in Washington, DC by the U.S. Dept. of Education.