Eader Elementary gets top state honor

John Eader Elementary School in Huntington Beach was recognized Tuesday with the Civic Learning Award of Distinction, one of six public schools statewide but the only one in Orange County to receive the honor this year for engaging students in the democratic process.

However, other local schools were among the 78 in California receiving the secondary Award of Merit.

The award was created four years ago to acknowledge schools that teach their students the importance of participating in and learning about democracy. This was the first year elementary schools were included in the running. In previous years, only middle and high schools were eligible.

“This recognizes students for being good citizens and good global members,” said Principal Debbi Randall in an interview. “It’s a nice little validation for our school.”

She said students at the school have participated in American Revolution reenactments, dressed up as historical figures, helped with beach cleanups, put on toy drives, done peer-to-peer tutoring and worked on the school’s newspaper.

Before an assembly Tuesday morning, Randall led visitors on a tour of the school.

In one classroom, second-graders were using construction paper to create trees that would represent the three branches of government — judicial, executive and legislative. In another room, first-graders were creating placemats for Meals on Wheels, which provides meals for elderly people in need.

Kindergartners opened the assembly by singing a tune that involved naming all 44 U.S. presidents.

“We give many opportunities to the kids to actually apply democracy and put those civics lessons into action,” said Randall, adding that students will often vote on matters of importance at the school, like the look of the yearbook cover and name for the school newspaper.

Speaking during the assembly, 4th District Appellate Judge Kathleen O’Leary said she believes schools like Eader help children learn important lessons about democracy.

“Young people need to learn how important democracy is and how our democracy works,” said the Orange County-based judge. “When I looked at the students’ projects and visited their classrooms today, I understood that a lot of students have this down.”

brittany.woolsey@latimes.com

Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey