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Elementaries Are Distinguished Schools

Eight schools in Orange County recently added new banners to their flagpoles in a special tribute to their campuses.

They were recognized as “California Distinguished Schools.”

“It’s a symbol that we have a good school,” said Michele Siebert, 13, who helped raise the new flag at Orangethorpe Elementary.

The Orange County schools are among 211 across the state that received the distinguished school title, which is given every two years.

The other Orange County elementary schools are Acacia, of Fullerton; Theodore Roosevelt, of Anaheim; George L. White, of Laguna Niguel; Philip J. Reilly, of Mission Viejo; Richard Henry Lee and Rossmoor, both of Los Alamitos, and Lake Forest, of Lake Forest.

At the recent 1995 California Distinguished School awards ceremony, schools were praised for their curriculum and atmosphere.

Some noted programs included alternative multi-graded classrooms, which require parent participation and concentrate on individualized learning; early intervention, which allows kindergarten teachers to develop strategies to meet the needs of individual or small groups of first-graders; and parent involvement/at-risk students, which involves parents in development of solutions to student problems.

“Teamwork is the key ingredient to being a good school,” Orangethorpe Principal Patrick J. Backus said. “We got this award because we all work together.”

Parents said they also appreciate the school’s open-door policy, which encourages them to take part in their children’s education.

“It’s like a little community here. You can’t help but get involved,” parent Karen Wright said. “The school makes it really easy for you. . . . All the people welcome you.”

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Estancia High Gets MACY Drama Honor

Estancia High School won this year’s MACY Award for its production of the musical “Kiss Me Kate” by Cole Porter. Estancia was chosen this year’s winner over dozens of high school drama productions from Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties.

“This is just great,” said Barbara Van Holt, director of the school’s drama department. Van Holt said Estancia’s thespians are often awarded for their individual achievements by the MACY judges, but the school has not won the top honor since 1985.

The MACY award was established by Lee and John Childress 25 years ago to recognize the performing arts talents of Southern California high school students.

--COMPILED BY MIMI KO AND HOPE HAMASHIGE