Santa Ana School Programs Win 3 State Honors

The Santa Ana Unified School District has been honored by the California School Boards Assn. with Golden Bell awards for innovative programs in physical education, English as a second language and college preparation.

The awards are given throughout the state each year in recognition of outstanding curriculum and excellence in public education. Santa Ana Unified has now won 23 Golden Bell awards--more than any district in the state.

A first-place award went to MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School for its Physical Education for Lifetime Success program, which exposes students to 30 activities ranging from gymnastics to team handball.

“The basis for the program is the belief that the intermediate school student is at a pivotal age where successes and failures are magnified,” said school Principal Tom Reasin. “Those who succeed use that confidence as a springboard to greater success.”

Valley High School’s English as a second language Excel program won a second-place Golden Bell award. The program is designed to help non-English-speaking high school students graduate in four years and complete university entrance requirements through high-intensity, accelerated English classes, which enable the students to complete college preparation classes.

The third Golden Bell is a second-place award for the district’s College is in My Future program, which encourages elementary school students to go to college.

Through the program, each of the district’s fifth-graders take a field trip to Rancho Santiago College with their parents. They are told about the benefits of a community college education and are encouraged to finish high school. They also receive guidance regarding college preparation courses and financial requirements.

The Golden Bell awards will be presented at a banquet in San Francisco on Dec. 14.