Magnolia and Murray elementary schools have been named California Gold Ribbon Schools for promoting academic achievement, positive student behavior, parent engagement and efforts to close the achievement gap.

“Congratulations to Murray and Magnolia for being recognized for their commitment to serving our students,” Azusa Unified Superintendent Dr. Linda Kaminski said. “These schools create a college- and career-readiness environment and promote a culture of lifelong learning that spreads from class to class, student to student.”

Murray Elementary pursues continuous improvement in student achievement, while encouraging pupils to be respectful and courteous toward others. Every classroom has desktop computers and students have daily access to Google Chromebooks and iPads. An instructional leadership team provides enrichment and intervention assistance tailored to student needs. A classroom reserved as a “Parent Center” serves as a hub for parental involvement.

“Our school staff recognizes the importance of the parent community; we are their partners in their child’s education,” Murray principal Norma Camacho said.

Magnolia Elementary strives to create a safe and happy environment through a discipline system dubbed WILD, which stands for “Wise choices, Inspiring others, Leading by doing, and Developing solutions.” Magnolia supports collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, building relationships with each child, finding their needs and then fulfilling those needs.

“The ultimate goal is for all of our students to be considerate, problem solving individuals,” Magnolia principal Alexis Norman said. “We want them to be able to negotiate and succeed in a variety of contexts, as well as have the ability to contribute positively to their community.”

The Gold Ribbon is California’s highest academic award, created in 2015 as a substitute to the Distinguished School Program to celebrate schools for model programs during rollout of the new California Standards. The program recognized middle and high schools last year. This year, it honors elementary schools.

“Murray and Magnolia represent the core values we work toward at Azusa Unified School District, and it is wonderful to see them get the recognition they deserve,” AUSD Board President Yolanda Rodriguez-Peña said.

PHOTOS:

GOLDRIBBON1: Murray Elementary School in Azusa, which was recently named a California Gold Ribbon School, pushes for continuous improvement in student achievement, while encouraging pupils to be respectful and courteous toward others.

GOLDRIBBON2: Magnolia Elementary School in Azusa, which was recently named a California Gold Ribbon School, creates a safe and positive environment through the implementation of WILD – “Wise choices, Inspiring others, Leading by doing, and Developing solutions.”