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Distinguished School
Award Goes to Dingeman Elementary
Eleven
elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District have been
designated Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education,
including Dingeman Elementary right here in Scripps Ranch!
"This
is truly a great honor for these schools, their students, principal, staff,
parents, volunteers and the entire community," said Superintendent Bill
Kowba. "It's not easy to become a California Distinguished School. It
requires great scores and a commitment by the staff to go through the lengthy
state process."
The
state makes the awards to elementary schools on even-numbered years, middle and
high schools on odd-numbered years.
"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," said Tom Torlakson, State
Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Their dedication is inspiring, and
I applaud and admire their passion and persistence."
Dingeman
Elementary http://www.sandi.net/dingeman is located in the Miramar Ranch North
neighborhood of the Scripps Ranch community and is proud of its community
connection: it is named after a local civic activist Col. Robert Dingeman. The
school's API exceeds 900 and the school mixes high academic standards with
acknowledgement that supportive and involved parents, teachers and community
members are all partners in education. 100% of Dingeman's 5th grade students
scored "Proficient" or "Advanced" on their 2011-12
standardized Science tests -- only 14 other schools in California can make that
claim.
With
a dedicated team of more than 500 volunteers, parents and community friends
help in classrooms throughout the campus and with special events, such as Art
Corps, which includes a school-wide, Annual Student Art Show, Family Math
Night, Book Fairs, and Family Art Night. Dingeman's innovative "Rockin'
Science Program", another enrichment program, enables students at all
grade-levels to receive additional instruction in science from two part-time
science teachers working out of a dedicated lab. More than 400 students
participate in the before-school Cardio Club, with runners learning important
fitness and life lessons. The school also has a dedicated media center with a
computer lab, offers GATE and Seminar programs, and promotes the active
engagement in philanthropic, hands-on, student-led projects that enhance our
local and global communities.
Parents,
teachers, and administration work as a team via the Family Faculty Connection
(FFC), School Site Council, and Site Governance Team. The school's active FFC
sponsors grade-level assemblies, award-winning Honor Choir, Band and Orchestra,
Safety Patrol/Parking Patrol, classroom mini grants and instructional supplies.
They also support field trips to theater performances, historical sites and
museums, floating biology labs, and math and science institutes, promote
artistic expression and communication, and provide a rich and varied
educational experience.
With
its active parent and staff involvement and team approach, the school also
coordinates an array of annual social events designed to foster a sense of
school pride and community, including Family Fun Night, Father-Daughter Dance,
Spring Carnival, and Mother-Son Night. Over the past 5 years, 4 Dingeman
teachers have received prestigious "Thank a Teacher" awards in the
Time Warner Cable-Mission Federal Credit Union county-wide sponsored contest
which recognizes excellence and dedication in the field of teaching.
Since
the recent announcement, many emails, phone calls, and letters have commended
the school for their award. Mrs. Kimie Lochtefeld, school principal, states,
"We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our hard working
students, our committed and talented teachers and all the families who send
their child to our school. We could not do this without the positive
relationships we have formed here at Dingeman. We are a family and take care of
each other. I am honored to be able to serve in such a fine school with
families who are actively engaged in their child's education." The school
had a site validation visit to observe the two signature practices being
implemented in the school. The two signature practices will be uploaded to the
California Department of Education website so that other schools can replicate
these strategies for improving English Learner student performance and
community involvement.
As
recognized by Superintendent Kowba, "Congratulations to you and the entire
Dingeman community for achieving the incredible milestone of California
Distinguished School! This is the Oscar Statue, Olympic Gold Medal, and Super
Bowl Championship all rolled into a singularly special recognition in K-12
education. I could not be prouder of you, the staff, parents, and most
importantly the students. Long hours, hard work, and a collective laser focus
on academic excellence by all community stakeholders made this a
reality....WELL DONE!"
For
more information from the state Department of Education, go to
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/dslisting2012.asp. For a list of San Diego
Unified distinguished schools through the years, go to this web page
http://www.sandi.net/site/default.aspx
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