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Best Practices - Tulare County Office of Education

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2010 - 2011 Award Winners<br />

<strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

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1 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

A Message from the <strong>County</strong> Superintendent<br />

Dear colleagues,<br />

Congratulation to the recipients <strong>of</strong> the 2011 Torch Academic<br />

Achievement Awards, and to those who are receiving the<br />

Sustaining the Flame Award, for your success in improving<br />

academic achievement for all students. We commend you for<br />

the tremendous effort, innovation and collaboration you and<br />

your staff have implemented to bring you to this point.<br />

Thank you to Dr. Pansy Ceballos, Dr. Guadalupe Solis, the<br />

program managers and instructional consultants within the<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong> Instructional Services<br />

Division for administering the Torch Awards and for collecting<br />

the descriptions <strong>of</strong> the instructional practices the award<br />

recipients are utilizing. We are pleased to <strong>of</strong>fer the “best<br />

practices” contained in this booklet as a resource for you.<br />

As the Torch Awards are a way to highlight those schools<br />

that have instituted innovative programs to achieve academic<br />

growth, we hope to encourage other schools to study the<br />

winning programs in this booklet and utilize the practices to<br />

improve their own instructional efforts.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Jim Vidak<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong> Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Schools


2 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

The Torch Achievement Awards<br />

The Torch Achievement Awards were created by the <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong>’s Instructional Service Division in<br />

2009. The awards program was designed to recognize <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> schools or districts for effective instructional practices<br />

that are making a difference in improving student achievement,<br />

The program was conceived by Assistant Superintendent <strong>of</strong><br />

Instructional Services Dr. Pansy Ceballos and the program<br />

managers within her division who work directly with school<br />

districts supporting their instructional efforts.<br />

The schools or districts receiving the Torch Award were<br />

nominated by the Instructional Services Program Manager<br />

based on the following criteria: 1) Achievement, based on<br />

measurable data, such as a schools’ Academic Performance<br />

Index scores; 2) An innovation that has contributed to academic<br />

growth, such as student interventions, an attendance program,<br />

etc.; and/or 3) A successful partnership with parents, businesses<br />

or an outside educational agency.<br />

For the 2010-2011 school year, the Instructional Services<br />

Division honors 48 <strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong> schools as part <strong>of</strong> the annual<br />

program. For more information on the Torch Academic<br />

Achievement Awards program, call Pansy Ceballos at (559)<br />

733-6328.


3 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

The Sustaining the Flame Awards<br />

The Sustaining the Flame Award was created in 2011 for past<br />

Torch Award recipients that continue to show significant gains<br />

in academic performance. Below are the schools receiving the<br />

first annual Sustaining the Flame Award along with the year(s) in<br />

which they received the Torch Award.<br />

Golden Valley Elementary School, Orosi (2010)<br />

Dinuba High School (2010)<br />

Jefferson Elementary School, Dinuba (2010)<br />

Ducor Union School District (2010)<br />

Alila School, Earlimart (2010)<br />

Earlimart Elementary School (2010)<br />

Exeter Union High School (2009)<br />

Freedom Elementary School, Farmersville (2009)<br />

Santa Fe Elementary School, Porterville (2010)<br />

Sundale Union School District, <strong>Tulare</strong> (2010)<br />

Alice G. Mulcahy Middle School, <strong>Tulare</strong> (2009)<br />

Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia (2009)


4 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Table <strong>of</strong> Contents<br />

Elementary Schools Page 5<br />

Allensworth School District, Allensworth<br />

Alpaugh Unified School District, Alpaugh<br />

Burton Elementary School, Porterville<br />

Castle Rock Elementary, Woodlake<br />

Elbow Creek Elementary School, Visalia<br />

George L. Snowden School, Farmersville<br />

Grand View Elementary School, Dinuba<br />

Ivanhoe Elementary School, Visalia<br />

Frank Kohn School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Lincoln Elementary School, Dinuba<br />

Lincoln Elementary School, Lindsay<br />

Lincoln School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Manuel F. Hernandez Elementary, Visalia<br />

Maple School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Oak Grove Elementary School, Visalia<br />

Oak Valley Union School District, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Outside Creek School District, Visalia<br />

Palo Verde Union School District, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Roosevelt School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Royal Oaks Elementary School, Visalia<br />

Saucelito School District, Terra Bella<br />

Springville Union School District, Springville<br />

Strathmore Union School District, Strathmore<br />

Tipton School District, Tipton<br />

Vandalia Elementary School, Porterville<br />

West Putnam Elementary School, Porterville<br />

William R. Buckley Elementary School, Porterville<br />

Wilson Elementary School, Dinuba<br />

Middle/Junior High Schools Page 13<br />

Carl F. Smith Middle School, Terra Bella<br />

Divisadero Middle School, Visalia Unified<br />

Earlimart Middle School, Earlimart<br />

Farmersville Junior High, Farmersville<br />

Green Acres Middle School, Visalia<br />

Live Oak Middle School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Pioneer Middle School, Porterville<br />

Woodlake Valley Middle School, Woodlake<br />

High Schools Page 16<br />

El Diamante High School, Visalia<br />

Farmersville High School, Farmersville<br />

Golden West High School, Visalia<br />

Granite Hills High Schools, Porterville<br />

Harmony Magnet Academy, Strathmore<br />

La Sierra Military Academy, Visalia<br />

Lindsay High School, Lindsay<br />

Monache High School, Porterville<br />

Redwood High School, Visalia<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Union High School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Western High School, <strong>Tulare</strong><br />

Woodlake Union High School, Woodlake


5 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

Allensworth School District<br />

Roberto Cárdenas, Superintendent/Principal (661) 849-2401<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

interventions and enrichment.<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE<br />

Alpaugh Unified School District<br />

Robert M. Hudson, Superintendent/Principal (559) 949-8413<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Robbnet and Associates, TCOE<br />

Burton Elementary School, Burton School District<br />

Marcus White, Principal (559) 784-2401<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

daily bases.<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Dennis Parker<br />

Castle Rock Elementary, Woodlake Union School District<br />

Robert Gonzales, Principal (559) 564-8001<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

development<br />

<br />

program<br />

<br />

on the cusp,


6 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

<br />

Odyssey <strong>of</strong> the Minds, Track Team.<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Woodlake Police Department, Night<br />

Vision, Central Valley Prospectors, YMCA, PIQE.<br />

Elbow Creek Elementary School, Visalia Unified<br />

Shirley Williams, Principal (559) 730-7766<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE<br />

George L. Snowden School, Farmersville Unified<br />

Randy DeGraw, Principal (559) 747-0781<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Boys and Girls Club<br />

Grand View Elementary School, Dinuba Unified<br />

Cynthia James, Principal (559) 595-7275<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Kevin Clark, Pivot Learning Systems.<br />

Ivanhoe Elementary School, Visalia Unified<br />

Deborah Cardoza, Principal (559) 730-7849<br />

The school’s innovation has been:


7 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

<br />

home visits, sending get well cards, and taking students to<br />

doctors appointments, as well as developing a PLC culture.<br />

Partnerships: West Ed. Fresno State, <strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />

Sheriff’s <strong>Office</strong>, <strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong> Probation, Vision, Local<br />

Church Savior’s Community Church, AVID, PACT,<br />

HEART (after school program), PIQE, and First Five.<br />

Frank Kohn School, <strong>Tulare</strong> City School District<br />

Paula Adair, Principal (559) 685-7340<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

analysis, re-teaching, and progress <strong>of</strong> focus students.<br />

<br />

Partnerships: American Heart Association and the Rescue<br />

Mission, Parent Teacher Organization<br />

Lincoln Elementary School, Dinuba Unified<br />

Gina Ramshaw, Principal (559) 595-7260<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

focuses on grammar instruction<br />

Partnerships: Kevin Clark, Pivot Learning Systems.<br />

Lincoln Elementary School, Lindsay Unified<br />

Pam Canby, Principal (559) 562-2571<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

staff.


8 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

Partnerships: TCOE<br />

Lincoln School, <strong>Tulare</strong> City School District<br />

Don Dargo, Principal (559) 685-7350<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Kraft Foods (for fieldtrips), “Tutoring<br />

at Grandma’s House” after-school math and reading<br />

intervention<br />

Manuel F. Hernandez Elementary, Visalia Unified<br />

Cheryl LaVerne, Principal (559) 622-3199<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Rotary, Foods Co., Calvary Chapel<br />

Maple School, <strong>Tulare</strong> City School District<br />

Val Brown, Principal (559) 685-7270<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

and Literature Circles.<br />

Partnerships: Libby Pollack, Debbie Head<br />

Oak Grove Elementary School, Visalia Unified<br />

Scott Wahab, Principal (559) 622-3105<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: none identified


9 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

Oak Valley Union School District<br />

Kerry Beauchaine, Superintendent (559) 688-2908<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE (PLC, Data Director)<br />

Outside Creek School District<br />

Elaine Brainard, Superintendent/Principal (559) 747-0710<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

on with each child<br />

<br />

poverty<br />

Partnerships: Parents<br />

Palo Verde Union School District<br />

John Manning, Superintendent/Principal (559) 688-0640<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional development<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Dennis Parker<br />

Roosevelt School, <strong>Tulare</strong> City School District<br />

Ira Porchia, Principal (559) 685-7280<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

all students.


10 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, District Alternative Governance,<br />

Choices Afterschool Program<br />

Royal Oaks Elementary School, Visalia Unified<br />

Samantha Tate, Principal (559) 730-7787<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Oaks Computer Kids, TCOE Student Events<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Parents Institute for Quality <strong>Education</strong><br />

(PIQE), PTA<br />

Saucelito School District<br />

Cynthia Lamb, Superintendent/Principal (559) 784-2164<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Dennis Parker<br />

Springville Union School District<br />

Connie Owens, Superintendent/Principal (559) 539-2605<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

staff.<br />

Partnerships: TCOE


11 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

Strathmore Union School District<br />

Dr. Shelly Long, Superintendent (559) 568-1283<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

all students.<br />

Partnerships:<br />

Tipton School District<br />

Chris Greisbach, Superintendent (559) 752-4213<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Local Kiwanis, and Safer Children,<br />

ACES after school program<br />

Vandalia Elementary School, Porterville Unified<br />

Isaac Nunez, Principal (559) 782-7260<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

mathematics.<br />

Partnerships: TCOE<br />

West Putnam Elementary School, Porterville Unified<br />

Laura Geren, Principal (559) 782-7280<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Guiding Good Choices Parent Ed.,<br />

CHARACTER COUNTS!, Food and Clothing Pantry


12 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Elementary Schools<br />

William R. Buckley Elementary School,<br />

Burton School District<br />

Chastity Lollis, Principal (559) 788-6412<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

they get enrichment<br />

<br />

Partnerships: West Ed<br />

Wilson Elementary School, Dinuba Unified<br />

Rene Rosas, Principal (559) 595-7270<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Pivot Learning Systems and Choices


13 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Middle/Junior High Schools<br />

Carl F. Smith Middle School,<br />

Terra Bella Union School District<br />

Lupe Roman, Principal (559) 535-4451<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

benchmarks<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Flexible Innovative Curriculum<br />

Consultant Services<br />

Divisadero Middle School, Visalia Unified<br />

Matt Shin, Principal (559) 730-7663<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

growth.<br />

<br />

what the expectations<br />

<br />

<br />

students based on STAR and local assessment data<br />

<br />

time<br />

Partnerships: Parent Partnership<br />

Earlimart Middle School, Earlimart School District<br />

Phillip Nystrom, Principal (661) 849-2611<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

and history social-science,<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, After School Program, Community<br />

Service Groups


14 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Middle/Junior High Schools<br />

Farmersville Junior High, Farmersville Unified<br />

Richard Albay, Principal (559) 747-0764<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

and history social-science,<br />

<br />

Thinking Maps, Greg Tang mathematics strategies.<br />

<br />

meetings, summer pr<strong>of</strong>ession development, tutoring students<br />

after school.<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Boys and Girls Club, After School<br />

program, Parents<br />

Green Acres Middle School, Visalia Unified<br />

Angela Sanchez, Principal (559) 730-7673<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

and do the right thing; and life is all about choices.<br />

<br />

<br />

instruction, assessment, collaboration, and extended learning<br />

time<br />

<br />

materials<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: local community groups, parent partnership<br />

Live Oak Middle School, <strong>Tulare</strong> City School District<br />

Tracey Jenkins, Principal (559) 685-7310<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

school


15 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Middle/Junior High Schools<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: AVID, PIQE Parents Involved in Quality<br />

<strong>Education</strong>,<br />

Pioneer Middle School, Porterville Unified<br />

Isaac Nunez, Principal (559) 782-7200<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Tule River Indian Reservation<br />

Woodlake Valley Middle School,<br />

Woodlake Union School District<br />

Lou Saephan, Principal (559) 564-8061<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

guides to benchmark tests (success following first year for this)<br />

<br />

reduction in absences and disciplinary issues<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Woodlake Hispanic Leadership, PIQE<br />

parent education, Parent Partnership, School newspaper<br />

to community.


16 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

High Schools<br />

El Diamante High School, Visalia Unified<br />

Mike Waters, Principal (559) 735-3501<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

based upon benchmark data.<br />

Partnerships: Parents and District in the Winter Academy<br />

Farmersville High School, Farmersville Unified<br />

Ernie Flores, Principal (559) 594-4567<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Academic Academies,<br />

<br />

Staff development on language arts and mathematics.<br />

Partnerships: WestEd., District Alternative Council and<br />

TCOE<br />

Golden West High School, Visalia Unified<br />

Nancy Powell, Principal (559) 730-7814<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

song<br />

<br />

based upon benchmark data.<br />

<br />

students<br />

Partnerships: Parents and District in the Winter Academy


17 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

High Schools<br />

Granite Hills High Schools, Porterville Unified<br />

Jeff Bottoms, Principal (559) 782-7075<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

individual teacher<br />

Partnerships: WestEd<br />

Harmony Magnet Academy, Porterville Unified<br />

Robert Land, Principal (559) 568-0347<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

courses<br />

Partnerships: TCOE School to Career, Project Lead the<br />

Way<br />

La Sierra Military Academy,<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong><br />

Anjelica Zermeño, Principal (559) 733-6963<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

experts,<br />

<br />

student learning<br />

Partnership: PESTO, PIQE, TCOE, ERS Library, TCOE<br />

Consultants


18 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

High Schools<br />

Lindsay High School, Lindsay Unified<br />

Virgil Hammonds, Principal (559) 562-5911<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>iciency <strong>of</strong> all standards before moving onto next content<br />

level.<br />

<br />

<br />

conduct<br />

<br />

performance-based system.<br />

Partnerships: Partnership with community/parents/<br />

students<br />

Monache High School, Porterville Unified<br />

Richard Smithey, Principal (559) 782-7150<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE (CHARACTER COUNTS!), and<br />

community/business partnerships<br />

Redwood High School, Visalia Unified<br />

Dr. Fernie Marroquin, Principal (559) 730-7367<br />

The school’s innovation has been:


19 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

High Schools<br />

<br />

Partnerships: District Winter Academy, Migrant Ed.<br />

TSA’s as coaches.<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Union High School,<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Joint Union High School District<br />

Dr. Michelle Nunley, Principal (559) 686-4761<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Western High School,<br />

<strong>Tulare</strong> Joint Union High School District<br />

Lucy Van Scyoc, Principal (559) 686-8751<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: TCOE, Pivot Learning Systems


20 2010-2011 Torch Achievement Awards — <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

High Schools<br />

Woodlake Union High School,<br />

Woodlake Union High School District<br />

Nicole Glentzer, Principal (559) 564-3307<br />

The school’s innovation has been:<br />

<br />

<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional development.<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Partnerships: Pivot Learning Systems

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