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Jefferson Elementary Receives Prestigious 2010 National
Blue Ribbon School Honor
By Susan Sawyer Wise, CUSD
Today*
Posted on October 10, 2010
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Jefferson
Elementary School [in Clovis, California] was one of
only 21 California public schools and 304 schools
nationwide named a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes elementary
and secondary schools that are both academically
superior and have demonstrated dramatic gains in student
achievement while serving an economically disadvantaged
population of students. Recognized schools are national
models of excellence that other schools may emulate.
Each 2010 Blue Ribbon School serves a large population
of disadvantaged students – ranging from 48 percent of
the school’s enrollment to 100 percent – and all have a
history of dramatically improved achievement in
English-language arts and in mathematics. On average,
these 2010 Blue Ribbon schools increased the percentage
of students scoring at the “proficient” and the
“advanced” levels by 49 percent on statewide tests.
“The National Blue Ribbon Award symbolizes academic
achievement for all students. Our community has always
taken great pride in our school and is extremely proud
of Jefferson’s academic accomplishments over the years,”
said Principal Jeff Tiftick.
Jefferson, along with the other 2010 National Blue
Ribbon Schools, was initially nominated last fall on the
basis of its achievement history for 2005 to 2009, but
to receive final Blue Ribbon certification, the schools
had to make all of their 2010 Academic Performance Index
state targets and all Adequate Yearly Progress federal
accountability targets.
“The criteria to qualify and obtain this award are
grueling,” said Tiftick. “All state and national goals
must be met for all sub groups in your school. In
addition, a school must be in the top of its class to be
nominated by a state. Thirty-five schools in California
were nominated with only 21 making the final cut.
Jefferson Elementary was one of two schools to be named
in Fresno County. ‘Try Hard and Never Quit!’ is our
school motto and every member of our community rose to
meet that challenge.”
Tiftick noted the critical role teachers have played in
student success, working together to analyze, plan and
strategize for the maximum academic success of every
student.
“Our teachers have worked very hard with our community
to meet the needs of the children we serve. For our
teacher family, this award means validation of their
academic programs and their expertise in focusing on
what their students are learning,” he said.
Several programs the school employs have sustained
academic success over the years including following the Sparthenian concept of cultivating the mind, body and
spirit, he added. Jefferson’s articulated co-curricular
program combined with its academic program keeps
students interested, involved and connected to school.
Jefferson’s intervention program has also worked to meet
the needs of many students. “Our intervention teachers
are creatively used by our classroom teachers to ensure
that no student falls through the cracks,” said Tiftick.
Another area that has led to Jefferson’s success,
Tiftick said, has been the assistance of District Office
personnel in providing teachers the latest in staff
development with Professional Learning Communities the
most recent example of district support, as well as
input from schools across the district.
“Networking is an important aspect of our success,” he
said. “Jefferson teachers and administrators seek out
the best practices of many schools throughout the
district and apply those practices to our instructional
programs. The network we have established with very
talented teachers, principals and district personnel
throughout the Clovis Unified School District that
willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with us
led to our success.”
The 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored
Nov. 15-16 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The
principal, a teacher and two school representatives from
each Blue Ribbon school are invited to participate. Each
school will receive a plaque and a flag to signify its
Blue Ribbon status.
Jefferson’s community celebration will take place in the
spring.
*This article was originally
published in CUSD Today, October 2010, and is
published on
ExperienceClovis.com with permission. All rights reserved.
 Academic gains
continue across Clovis Unified
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17
district schools now scoring over 900 on state's
Academic Index
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