Adams Elementary Receives Distinguished School Honor

Adams Elementary Kindergarten explore ecology science lesson

Source: Santa Barbara Unified School District

Adams Elementary School, a part of Santa Barbara Unified School District, receives the 2018 California Distinguished Schools honor, a statewide recognition of California elementary schools that made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. The recognition is a part of the Distinguished Schools Program that returns after a three-year break, and replaces the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program.

“It is both a pleasure and an honor to work with the caliber of staff, student, and parent community at Adams Elementary School,” said Adams elementary school principal Kelly Fresch. “I know that everyone connected to our school community is committed to ensuring the academic and social success of all our students. I am proud of our work in implementing new curriculum, participating in professional learning data-driven meetings, attending professional development opportunities, and providing both enrichment and intervention programs for our diverse student population. The teachers at Adams go above and beyond to prepare our students for a bright future and this statewide recognition is a testament to our effort.”

Adams Elementary School was among the 287 elementary schools to receive this distinguished honor.

“We are all proud of this recognition of Adams elementary school,” said Superintendent Cary Matsuoka. “The Distinguished Schools honor is a tribute to the outstanding teaching and learning that we see at Adams and a positive reflection of the commitment of all of Santa Barbara Unified School District’s elementary schools to these standards. The partnership between Adams elementary teachers, administrators and families paved the way for this recognition; a partnership that fosters positive school climate to ensures the success of every child.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently announced the names of all schools recognized as California Distinguished Schools for 2018.

Four schools from Santa Barbara County were included in the list. They are:

• Foothill Elementary, Goleta Union School District
• Kellogg Elementary, Goleta Union School District
• Montecito Union, Montecito Union School District
• Adams Elementary, Santa Barbara Unified School District

The award reflects each school’s success in making exceptional gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education for all students. “Your success is a direct result of your dedicated and talented staff as well as your supportive school community,” Torlakson said in a notice to principals and superintendents of schools that were recognized.

“We join educators and community members in congratulating our schools from Santa Barbara County selected for this great honor,” said Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido. “It’s a tremendous recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire school community and its partners.”

Representatives from recognized schools are invited to attend the California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremony on May 3 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Sponsored in part by California Casualty, the event includes photos with the State Superintendent, a reception, and dinner with student entertainment and speakers.

California elementary school’s eligibility for the 2018 California Distinguished Schools recognition was based on performance and progress on state indicators as described on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and English learner progress. These award winners represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaborating, but also highly successful school climate efforts, ranging from real time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention. For more information about the California Distinguished Schools program, please visit the California Department of Education’s Distinguished Schools program’s website at: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/