11 Schools Among Attendance Honorees

The Los Angeles Board of Education recognized 34 district schools, 11 from the Valley, on Tuesday for their excellent attendance.

The schools received awards for the best attendance or the most improved attendance during the 1997-98 school year and were honored during a ceremony at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters, spokesman Eric Cuadra said.

Valley schools recognized for best attendance are Castlebay Lane Elementary in Northridge, Nobel Middle School in Northridge, Richard E. Byrd Middle School in Sun Valley, Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills, Patrick Henry Middle School in Granada Hills, Granada Hills High School in Granada Hills, El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet (elementary) School in Northridge and Henry David Thoreau Continuation High School in Woodland Hills.

Valley schools honored for most improved attendance are Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga and Maclay Middle School in Pacoima.

This was the first time Verdugo Hills High received the award for most improved attendance, said Assistant Principal Christine Clark.

She cited a new schedule for the improvement. In an arrangement similar to that of colleges, most students take three classes a day, each lasting about 95 minutes, instead of the customary six shorter periods.

“Because of that, teacher attendance is up and student attendance is up,” Clark said.

This was the third straight year Nobel Middle School was honored.

“I think the kids like to go to school here,” said Assistant Principal Robert Coburn.

Students are also rewarded for perfect attendance, Coburn said. “We try to make things as positive as possible for the students to be here,” he said.