COUNTYWIDE : Six School Districts Given Golden Bells

Six Orange County school districts were recognized with Golden Bell awards last weekend at the California School Boards Foundation banquet in San Francisco.

The awards, given to teachers, administrators and school board members, were presented Saturday night in recognition of innovative programs.

MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School in Santa Ana won a physical education first-place award for its program that promotes self-confidence and self-esteem through fitness.

Valley High School in Santa Ana won a reading/English/language arts second-place award for its “E.S.L. Excel program,” which provides opportunities for entering freshmen, non-English speaking students to complete all college entrance requirements during their four years of high school.

The Los Alamitos Unified School District won a visual/performing arts second-place award for the Orange County High School of the Arts. The school is located on the campus of Los Alamitos High School and offers pre-professional training in the performing and visual arts.

In other subject areas, the Santa Ana Unified School District won a second-place award for its “College is in My Future” program, which attempts to inspire students to continue their education through visits to Rancho Santiago College and career-awareness programs at elementary schools.

Kraemer Junior High School in Placentia also won a second-place award for its “ESL/Sheltered Instructional Program,” which adapts instruction in English as a second language and curriculum to the needs of students with special language needs.

The Anaheim Union High School District won a second-place award for Alternative Avenues, which plans educational options for junior and senior high school students who have special needs that cannot be met in a traditional class schedule.