Rio Vista School Savors National Achievement

A blue ribbon, freshly painted on the office door of Rio Vista Elementary School, marks the specialness of the occasion.

The emblem symbolizes the U. S. Department of Education’s award for innovation, and the Canyon Country site is one of only two schools in Los Angeles County and 19 in the state to receive the designation for 1992. Also cited was Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills, part of the Calabasas-based Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Rio Vista, a part of the Saugus Union School District, has about 620 students and 22 faculty members.

“I think what distinguishes a Blue Ribbon school from other high-quality schools is an emphasis above and beyond its programs,” said Linda Vranesh, a Rio Vista mentor teacher who works with new teachers and programs. “It’s a school where everyone takes pride.”

Vranesh was part of the seven-member team of volunteers who wrote the school’s 37-page application.

Principal Catherine Laws described the Blue Ribbon as “the highest award of academic excellence” in the country. The award is alternated annually between secondary and elementary school levels.

A total of 227 schools nationwide received the 1992 Blue Ribbon award. Cathy Crossley, education program specialist with the U. S. Department of Education, said 376 public schools and 102 private schools were nominated.

“They’re looking for good test scores. They’re looking for innovative teaching, innovative curriculum,” said Julie Bogosian, head teacher and a member of the writing team. “They look to see the leadership opportunities for teachers. They look for an overall climate.”

Administrators credit Rio Vista’s array of activities for students and teachers, ranging from reading incentive programs and fine arts workshops with parents giving lessons to student clubs and an active PTA.

Laws, Bogosian and writing team member Valerie Hickey are scheduled to visit Washington, D. C., Thursday and Friday to receive the award and participate in a reception ceremony on the White House lawn.

Rio Vista is scheduled to be the site of a Blue Ribbon Day, tentatively set for May 26, featuring slides from the trip to Washington, writings from students about why they think their school deserves the national award and more.