Top grades for four district schools

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- Cheers erupted at four elementary schools Monday as each

campus received word that theirs was named a California Distinguished

School.

“I knew we’d get it,” said Mary Ann Gilbreth, principal at Killybrooke

Elementary in Costa Mesa. “It’s just a great school -- I wasn’t even

worried about it.”

The state’s top honor for schools also went to Newport-Mesa Unified

School District’s Harbor View, Kaiser and Victoria elementary schools.

“We’re ecstatic that we received this honor,” said Judy Laakso, principal

at Costa Mesa’s Victoria Elementary. “I think it’s a wonderful validation

for a wonderful staff, dedicated parents, outstanding students and the

community at large.”

The California Distinguished Schools Award is part of the School

Recognition Program, created in 1985 to reward schools and provide

working models for other schools.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District shared the distinction of most

schools honored in Orange County this year with the Orange Unified School

District.

“I think that they serve as great examples of what can happen when

parents, staff and community pull together,” said Supt. Robert Barbot.

“They are to be congratulated.”

The schools will be honored by the state Department of Education at a

ceremony May 5, to be held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

The fun doesn’t stop there, however. Being named a distinguished school

is the prerequisite for applying for a national Blue Ribbon School Award

-- one of the highest honors in education.

Before they’ve even had a chance to bask in their success, a couple of

the principals of Newport-Mesa’s winning schools are already gearing up

for that next challenge.

“Absolutely, we’ll put in for [the Blue Ribbon School Award],” Gilbreth

said. “I have a wonderful staff.”

Daryle Palmer, principal at Kaiser Elementary, said her school will also

forge ahead to the next level of recognition.

But before the schools buckle down again, it’s time to celebrate.

For students at Kaiser Elementary, it was breakfast treats for everyone.

Harbor View Elementary already has plans in the works to build a

commemorative tile wall. And at Victoria Elementary, it sounded as if a

party was in the works.

“The best is yet to come,” Laakso said. “We’ll plan celebrations.”