Edison Elementary Honored as a "Distinguished School"

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson has named Edison Elementary School a "Distinguished School" for its strong commitment and innovative approaches to improving student academic achievement.

This year's Distinguished Schools Program, which is run by the California Department of Education, both focused on California’s students’ right to an equitable and rigorous education and recognized those schools that have made progress in narrowing the academic achievement gap. Only 424 schools from across the state received the 2014 award.

“I applaud these strong, thriving schools that are making such impressive strides in preparing their students for continued success,” Torlakson said in a press release last week.  “This award is well-deserved by these school communities for their enduring dedication to high standards, hard work, and unwavering support.”

Signature Practices

As part of winning the Distinguished School title, schools agree to share their best practices (called "Signature Practices" in the program) with other schools and to mentor those who want to do similar work.  Edison's Signature Practices are:

 Multiple Methods in Math, a program that teaches students more than one way to solve problems, as well as professional development for teachers and parent education; and

 Community of Readers, a program that focuses on teaching children to read (and love reading) via technology, reading groups, intervention practices, writing about reading, and annual readathons.

You can find more information on Edison's Signature Practices here.

"A Community School"

"Even being recognized as eligible is exciting," Edison principal Aurora Sweet said. "But to be able to showcase all our hard work and success is even more exciting. Our unofficial motto is 'it takes a village' and we really are a community school. We couldn't do half of what we do without the support of our great teachers, hardworking students, and community of parents and guardians."

To announce the news to her students and staff, Sweet staged a fire drill and then, when everyone was gathered on the blacktop, told them about the recognition and handed out more than 500 popsicles. "The yell of joy was so loud some of the neighbors heard it!" she said.

Edison will be honored at a regional award ceremony in Walnut Creek in mid-June and will receive a 2014 Distinguished School plaque and flag. The event and awards are funded by donations from many of California’s most prominent corporations and statewide educational organizations.

"I am so proud and so pleased that Edison was chosen as a Distinguished School this year," AUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital said. "This is a true validation of Edison's very successful program, a program to which the entire Edison community contributes. And I am thrilled that Edison is now in a position to share its best practices not only with other schools in Alameda, but with schools around the state."

Margie Sherratt, president of the Board of Education, added: "Edison teachers and staff are truly deserving of this honor. The entire Board congratulates the Edison community."

A number of other AUSD schools have also been named Distinguished Schools in recent years, including Earhart Elementary School (2012), Lum Elementary School (2012), Lincoln Middle School (2011), Amelia Earhart (2008), and Franklin Elementary (2006).  An updated searchable database with full explanation of the state's Distinguished Schools' Signature Practices is available on the CDE website, but it won't include the 2014 winners' practices until later this spring.