NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
January 23, 2015 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909)595-1261 ext. 31204
Board Honors outstanding students, parent volunteers
WALNUT, CA--The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees honored C.J. Morris and Quail Summit star students and community partners during the January 21 meeting. A fifth grader from Westhoff Elementary was also recognized as the 2014 Holiday Card Contest winner.
C.J. Morris Elementary student Brandon Rubalcaba was honored as a Super Star Student.
The 4th grader was lauded as for his kind and caring attitude.
“Brandon is an excellent example of a C.J. Morris student who shows I.B. attitudes and Matador spirit. He comes to school each day with a positive and very happy attitude despite many learning challenges,” said teacher Carol Mead.
Brandon makes friends with everyone in class. He is often the first person over to someone who needs help or just someone to talk to.
“He cares about everyone on campus,” Principal Donna Hunter said.
“Brandon is always polite and says thank you – even when I give him a test!” Mead quipped.
C.J. Morris Elementary parent Molly Mendoza received the Partner in Education award.
“Mrs. Mendoza deeply cares about our kids,” Hunter said.
For over five years, Mendoza has served the school and community. She is highly involved in the Community Club, often helps out in classrooms, and is the current school site president. Last year, she chaired the ice cream social - one of the school’s biggest events. In December, she headed up the school’s holiday shop.
“She does an awesome job, we truly appreciate her at C.J. Morris!”
Quail Summit Elementary 1st grader Jayden Shinjo was recognized as a Super Star Student.
This year, she is being home-schooled due to health reasons.
“Jayden is part of the school and we miss her very much. All the teachers at our school are so inspired by her can-do attitude and perseverance,” Principal Jeanette Koh said.
“You are awesome and amazing inside an out!”
Quail Summit teacher Lori Aicard provides the independent study describes Shinjo as intelligent, a quick learner, having shining character, brave, and optimistic.
She has made a powerful impression on her teacher.
“Jayden loves learning, works hard, and is joyful about everything. And this little girl always has a smile and a giggle,” Aicard said.
Quail Summit Elementary selected Marlene Cantrell and Chris Cantrell of Cantrell Photography as recipients of the Partner in Education Award.
“We want to recognize them because they exemplify what it means to give back to the community,” Koh said.
Cantrell Photography has been the school photographer for over 25 years.
Every year, they provide the staff Christmas card and sponsor the family portrait night with the school’s Community Club.
This year, the Cantrells generously provided their time and resources by taking pictures of the school’s parent volunteers.
“They all received a volunteer I.D. badge and they feel very official,” Koh explained.
“We are so thankful for our partnership with Cantrell Photography and look forward to many more years!”
Westhoff Elementary 5th grader Stephanie Yeh won the 2014 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest. The Board of Trustees recognized the talented young artist with a certificate and framed copy of her original artwork. She also received a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A restaurant courtesy of owners Bob and Michelle Sun.
Yeh’s entry depicted a Santa-capped globe with children from around the world dancing around it. She came up with the idea for the design from a holiday trip to China when her family stayed in a high-rise building.
“At the bottom there was a park and we saw people dancing,” the ten-year-old explained.
She used pencil to create the drawing, and then outlined the people in black marker to so they stood out. Colored pens, pencils and markers were used to fill in the details and background. Yeh completed the project in just two hours.
Shown:
The WVUSD Board of Trustees honored C.J. Morris Elementary student Brandon Rubalcaba as a Super Star Student on January 21. Shown with family members, teacher Carol Mead, Principal Donna Hunter, and Board President Larry Redinger.
C.J. Morris Elementary parent Molly Mendoza received the Partner in Education award during the January 21 Board Meeting. Shown with family members, teacher Lisa Peterson, Principal Donna Hunter, teacher Carol Mead, and Board President Larry Redinger.
Quail Summit Elementary 1st grader Jayden Shinjo was recognized as a Super Star Student during the January 21 Board Meeting.Shown with family members and Board President Larry Redinger.
Shown with family members, teacher Lori Aicard, Principal Jeanette Koh, and Board President Larry Redinger.
Westhoff Elementary 5th grader Stephanie Yeh was honored as the winner of the 2014 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest.