On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the Board of Education presented the Outstanding Achievement Awards to students, parents, and staff of Jones and Norton Elementary Schools, Curtis Middle School, and Indian Springs High School (ISHS).
The Board recognizes Outstanding Student Award winners to build self-esteem and honor excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, and most improvement. The Board also presents the Outstanding Parent/Grandparent/Volunteer Award and Outstanding Employee Award to individuals who embody the District’s dedication to student achievement and well-being.
Jones Elementary School, Principal Crecia Sims-Robinson:
Carter Weber is a fifth-grader and Outstanding Student. Carter is a phenomenal scholar. He attends school ready to learn and puts forth his best effort on every assignment. He brightens up the class with his positive attitude and contagious personality. He is very inquisitive about the world around him. Carter wants to attend Stanford and become a biologist.
Ezequiel Huerta Acuna is a sixth-grader and Outstanding Student. Ezequiel always has a great, positive attitude, and you can find him singing throughout his day. He is helpful, looks out for others and demonstrates amazing Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) skills by being safe, respectful, and responsible. Ezequiel is focused on being successful in his academics so he can keep his career options open since he isn't sure what he wants to be.
Outstanding Parent Award winner Patricia Avila Ramirez is an active member in the Jones Elementary community, as well as being active in her children's education and their social emotional needs. Her commitment to Jones and her input is much admired and appreciated. You will always see a smile on Patricia’s face, which helps brighten everyone’s day.
Bilingual Attendance Clerk Patricia Alvarado is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Patricia creates a welcoming environment for parents, staff, and students. She consistently displays a positive attitude and maintains a high level of professionalism at all times, both in overall ability and communication. She's extremely conscientious in ensuring educational partners receive the guidance and answers they need in a timely and courteous manner.
Outstanding Certificated Employee Bonnie Luce seeks out, discovers, and praises all student success in the areas of behavior and academics. She makes learning, particularly for those who are not succeeding, fun and accessible. Bonnie sets high, but not impossible, expectations for her students. She pushes students to achieve, knowing that they can with some TLC.
Norton Elementary School, Principal Elizabeth Cochrane Benoit:
Lucy Baker is a third-grader and Outstanding Student. Lucy is kind to others, always willing to help, and participates in class discussions. She is reading above grade level, she writes interesting stories, and understands grade-level math. Lucy loves to draw and enjoys teaching others how to draw. Lucy wants to attend college in San Diego and become an art teacher.
Ayden Smith is a fifth-grader and Outstanding Student. Ayden is a high-achieving student who uses his leadership skills to motivate his classmates by being a positive role model. Ayden is also a gifted musician, playing the viola in Norton's Advanced Orchestra and singing in the choir, as well as participating in the District's Elementary Honor Orchestra and Honor Choir. Ayden wants to join the military and serve his country.
Outstanding Parent Award winner Lauren Lucas is the School Site Council Chairperson and a member of the Superintendent's Advisory Committee and many other District committees. Lauren has been a positive voice for all at Norton, bringing parent and community concerns and solutions to the attention of administrators. Lauren has a positive spirit and giving heart.
Bilingual Secretary II Shanyn Sanders is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Shanyn is Norton's wonder woman with the midas touch. Her positive attitude and service meets Ritz-Carlton's gold standards. It is amazing how she is able to multitask, completing various assignments so effortlessly. Parents and staff always comment how they appreciate her kindness, helpfulness and supportive knowledge and guidance.
Special Education Teacher Bradley Breier is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Bradley is Norton's relief pitcher. He steps up to the plate in all areas to provide support. He has implemented new academic software that allows for learning collaboration across grade levels. Bradley focuses on results together with other members of the staff and has a positive passion to help others wherever he can.
Curtis Middle School, Principal Guillermo Guerrero:
Eighth-grader Andy Lazaro is an Outstanding Student. Andy has excelled in his classes and demonstrated citizenship and leadership. He is the school site council president, vice president of the Engineering Club, and was a representative of the Curtis STEM Pathway at the Intelligent Transportation Society's World Congress Conference in Los Angeles earlier this school year. Andy loves STEM and wants to become an aerospace engineer or an astronaut.
George Hernandez is an eighth-grader and Outstanding Student. George is an outstanding citizen, a hard worker, and a class leader. He has shown growth in reading and math and been enrolled in more advanced classes for science and history. He continues to grow and push to meet his learning goals. George wants to study math and science in college.
Margarita Velador is an Outstanding Grandparent Award winner. Margarita has made a positive impact for her grandson and Curtis scholars by being an active supporter of their athletics and academics. She generously provides transportation, food and her presence at each sporting event. Additionally, Margarita does everything possible to ensure her grandson’s academic and lifelong success.
Office Assistant I/Health Aide Rosa Gastelum De Lopez is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Rosa goes above and beyond to ensure the needs of all scholars are met. As a Health Aide, safety and empathy are always her number one concerns. Rosa is an intricate part of the Curtis family. She exemplifies every element that builds our District’s Basics for Excellence.
Christopher Petriccione is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. As a Pathway and Demonstration teacher, he facilitates Saturday STEM Camps twice a month, during which scholars work on projects and entrepreneurship. He also serves as a school site council representative, admin designee, community liaison, department chair, and mentor to our scholars.
Indian Springs High School, Principal Kristen Bicondova:
Senior Brenda Herrera Rincon is an Outstanding Student. Brenda has been involved in ASB for four years, culminating in being ASB president. She has taken initiative to work with staff to organize events and dances. She is extremely professional, a self-starter, holds herself and others to a high standard, and leads by example.
Nubian Prince Nelson is a sophomore and an Outstanding Student. As a student athlete and campus leader, Nubian is well respected by his peers. He is enrolled in the Manufacturing Academy and plays on the basketball team. Nubian wants to attend a Division 1 university so he can play basketball while studying law.
Maritza Romero is an Outstanding Parent. Maritza has been an active member of the Indian Springs English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) for the past two years. She actively recruits other parents and community members to be a part of ELAC and other school committees. She participates in decision-making that affects children and families and informs, influences, and creates practices within the school and the educational community.
Educational Assistant III Severe Impairments Guadalupe “Lupe” Escobar is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Lupe teaches students how to provide self-care and assert their independence. She has helped ISHS students obtain their food handler’s license, and she works tirelessly to develop the skills her students need to cook and serve food.
Program Facilitator Jenna Jinks is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. She played an instrumental role in helping ISHS achieve the Silver PBIS Implementation award. With the PBIS team, Jenna developed systems that reward both staff and students for the positive contributions they make on campus. She provides professional development so everyone may continue to grow their skills to create the conditions for rigorous learning and academic and social successes.
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