Schools to Celebrate State Recognition

Three Thousand Oaks elementary schools honored by the state Department of Education will celebrate Friday with state and local officials.

Westlake Hills, Park Oaks and Glenwood elementary schools will soon hang large wooden plaques at their entrances proclaiming each campus a 1998 California Distinguished School, officials said.

Of 598 schools statewide that applied for the honor, 211 were selected. School officials and parents accepted the award in a ceremony last week at Disneyland, said Westlake Hills Principal Rachelle Morga.

The local celebration will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Westlake Hills. Assemblymen Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard) and Tom McClintock (R-Northridge), county Supt. of Schools Charles Weis and Thousand Oaks Mayor Mike Markey will attend.

“As in business and in our families, we all need to have a pat on the back. Public education doesn’t always receive the kudos it deserves,” Morga said.

“The amount of work these teachers put out and the programs they put on are incredible,” she added.

The state recognition brings no money but provides a coveted distinction many schools use to sell themselves.

Morga said her school has begun filling out an application for a similar national award called the “Blue Ribbon.”

The school’s application will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in early October.