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Ocean View Elementary School was named to the prestigious list of 2012 California Distinguished Schools. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced the exemplary California public elementary schools that were named 2012 California Distinguished Schools for their innovative education programs that encourage students to learn and help close the achievement gap.

" I am extremely proud of the accomplishments the Ocean View staff and students have attained," said Cynthia Ravalin, Principal of Ocean View Elementary School. "It is my honor to support our students and the professional staff that have earned this achievement."   

Ocean View Elementary School, located in Arroyo Grande, CA, also won the California Distinguished School honor in 2002, and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2003.

"The schools we are recognizing today demonstrate the incredible commitment of California's teachers, administrators, and school employees to provide a world-class education to every student, in spite of the financial hardships facing our state and our schools," Torlakson said. "Their dedication is inspiring, and I applaud and admire their passion and persistence."    

The 2012 California Distinguished Schools Program focuses on California's students and their entitlement to an equitable and rigorous education. The program identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

Ocean View Elementary and other schools earning the Distinguished School title agree to share their signature practices with other schools and serve as mentors to other educators who want to replicate their work. An updated searchable database of these Signature Practices will be available later this spring by the California Department of Education.

-Ground Breaking & Building Dedication-

  Beth Curran, President, Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation (left) Chris Johns, President, PG&E (right)

The Lucia Mar Unified School District will be the beneficiary of a $250,000 donation from Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The donation was presented to the Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation today at a groundbreaking and building dedication ceremony. The $250,000 donation will be used to support Lucia Mar's newest school, Central Coast New Tech High School, and to further Lucia Mar's vision of 21^st century education. To honor PG&E's generous donation, the Lucia Mar Board of Education Trustees approved the naming of the PG&E Center for Learning, a building on the Central Coast New Tech High School campus. Numerous local dignitaries were on hand for the check presentation and building dedication that took place at the future site of Central Coast New Tech High School, which will be located in Nipomo, CA.

Today's announcement represents another example of an already strong partnership between Lucia Mar and PG&E. Prior to today, PG&E's charitable contributions to Lucia Mar totaled more than $150,000. After today's donation, the amount is more than $400,000. PG&E has donated grants to schools in Lucia Mar to help support energy conservation and efficiency within the district, to develop its robotics teams, increase innovative educational programs and more.

"Through this unique program, the students of today will be prepared to be the technological leaders of tomorrow," said Chris Johns, President of PG&E.  "PG&E is proud to partner with the Lucia Mar Unified School District and the Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation in support of Central Coast New Tech High School.  As the largest private employer in the county, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the growth and vitality of the communities we serve and where our employees live. 

  Chris Johns, President, PG&E

"This donation from PG&E is a great gift to our school, our district, and entire community. We are truly grateful and very appreciative of the tremendous support PG&E has given us throughout the years. This gift will have a direct impact on the success and growth of our students now, and long into their futures," said Jim Hogeboom, Superintendent Lucia Mar Unified School District.

  Jim Hogeboom, Superintendent, Lucia Mar Unified School District

PG&E, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), strives to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. Over the last decade, PG&E has given nearly $40 million toward youth educational initiatives, supporting innovative programs that provide students and teachers opportunities to learn and prepare for their future, the future of California and the future of the energy industry. Community investments are funded entirely by shareholders. For more information, visit www.pge.com/community .

The Central Coast New Tech High School model integrates high-tech teaching methods with project based learning, similar to Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" philosophy. Upon graduation, New Tech students will have completed college courses, given more than 200 multimedia presentations, completed internships, performed community service, worked on real-world projects, and developed a digital resume portfolio. Central Coast New Tech High School will open its doors to its first freshman class on August 16, 2012. More information at www.CentralCoastNewTech.org .

Lucia Mar school earns surprise honor, $5,000 for efforts

in early stages of TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement

Los Angeles, CA-Leaders from Judkins Middle School in Pismo Beach, California, were surprised with the TAP School of Promise Award, which comes with a financial prize of $5,000.  The award honors a school for demonstrated efforts while in the early stages of implementing TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement.  The award was one of four in the nation presented before more than 1,000 educators and policy leaders attending a Saturday luncheon at the 12 ^th National TAP Conference, Building a System of Teacher Leaders.  Judkins Middle School Principal Ian Penton accepted the award on the school's behalf.  

TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement is a revolutionary education reform that offers teachers opportunities for career advancement, ongoing job-embedded professional growth, educator evaluation and performance-based compensation.  The implementation of TAP's comprehensive elements is proven to strengthen teacher effectiveness and student achievement. 

"Judkins Middle School's careful preparation for TAP and collaboration with stakeholders helped pave the way for rigorous implementation in the first full year," said Dr. Gary Stark, president and CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), the non-profit public charity that manages and supports the TAP system and presents the TAP School of Promise Award.  "Principal Ian Penton, master teachers Ed Alarcio and Alyssa LaBrado and all members of the leadership team hit the ground running on their work to develop the strengths of all teachers, rooted in the TAP Teaching Standards and quality instructional feedback." 

Judkins Middle School is one of seven schools in the Lucia Mar Unified School District that began TAP implementation in the 2011-2012 school year.  TAP is supported by grants from the federal Teacher Incentive Fund and the Stuart Foundation awarded to the district in 2010. 

Judkins Middle prepared for TAP during the 2010-2011 year to lay the groundwork for TAP's comprehensive system of teacher leadership, professional development, support and accountability.  Attendance at the National TAP Conference and TAP's CORE training helped Judkins Middle leaders delve into TAP's core processes and shape their goals. 

The Judkins Middle TAP Leadership Team quickly embraced the tenets of the TAP system. The administrators, master and mentor teachers bring together their diverse skill sets to create a cohesive team to maximize the potential of the faculty and students.  Ed Alarcio and Alyssa LaBrado established a sense of trust and credibility vital to teachers' support of TAP, and along with Principal Penton, continually work to transform the school climate into a nurturing environment for all to thrive.

Other School of Promise Award recipients include West Goshen Elementary School in Goshen (Goshen Community Schools), Indiana; Carter Middle School in Strawberry Plains (Knox County Schools), Tennessee; and Aikin Elementary School in New Caney (New Caney Independent School District), Texas. 

Photos of the TAP School of Promise Awards are available for download on the TAP photos page at http://www.tapsystem.org/newsroom/newsroom.taf?page=photos .

Introduced in 1999, TAP impacts more than 20,000 teachers and 200,000 students. 

For more information on TAP or the 12 ^th National TAP Conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, visit http://www.tapsystem.org .  You can also follow the TAP system's live updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tapsystem .

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