DISTINGUISHED DAY FOR KIDS 11 SCHOLS WIN STATEWIDE HONOR IN LOCAL DISTRICTS.

Byline: SUE DOYLE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Eleven local public elementary schools are among 377 statewide that will each carry the title of 2006 California Distinguished School, the state Department of Education announced Tuesday.

The high honor went to schools in the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified, Newhall, Saugus Union and Sulphur Springs school districts. The 21-year-old state program recognizes elementary schools and middle schools in alternate years.

Although the title doesn't bring extra funding to classrooms, it brings a distinction to schools and their districts that sets them apart from others.

``It's pride and recognition,'' said Marc Winger, Newhall School District superintendent. ``It's a very public recognition of a job well done for those sites.''

The title was bestowed this year on one-half of the schools in the Newhall School District: Old Orchard Elementary, Peachland Avenue, Pico Canyon, Valencia Valley and Wiley Canyon. The district had the highest number of schools in the Santa Clarita area recognized this year.

Students at Old Orchard Elementary School learned of the news from an announcement over the applied for the title before but never previously won it.

``We are thrilled,'' Principal Ruth Gauthier said. ``Oh, my gosh - a long time coming.''

Eligible schools have state Academic Performance Index scores of at least 800 and have met additional criteria established by the state Department of Education. Criteria include teaching state standards and having strong programs and library and technology services that foster healthy behaviors among students.

The application process requires extensive work.

Applicants at winning schools described their own academic programs - from letter writing to reading-intervention courses - that they felt contributed to their success. All pointed to strong community support in their classrooms, from parents assisting teachers to members of community clubs reading to students. ``Our parents are highly involved. We have parents who will drop by and have lunch with their child. Many parents work in classrooms one day a week,'' said Margaret Gonder, principal at Meadowlark Elementary School in the Acton-Agua Dulce Unifed School District.

This was the first year that Gonder and her staff worked on an application for the award and she thought, at the very least, it would be a good review of the school and make all there take a harder look at themselves. She was thrilled that the school won.

While it was a first for Meadowlark Elementary School, it was a fourth for Mint Canyon Community School in the Sulphur Springs district.

``It's nice to be recognized for all the hard work that the teachers, students and parents put in,'' said Principal Sherry Klein.

Three other winning schools in that district are Fair Oaks Ranch Community School, Mitchell Community School and Sulphur Springs Community School.

Rosedell Elementary School in Saugus Union School District also received the title.

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Old Orchard Elementary Principal Ruth Gauthier, left, waves goodbye to students after an exciting day in which their campus won California Distinguished School status.

David Crane/Staff Photographer