Well, I have to post on behalf of my wife. It has just been announced that her school, Ogden Elementary, will be awarded, by Scholastic and Intel, the Schools of Distinction award.
There were 4,000 schools that applied for this award and it had already been announced that Ogden was one of three finalist in the Mathematics Achievement category. For each of 8 categories, 6 finalists where chosen, 3 elementary and 3 middle schools. Out of those three, Ogden has been chosen as the elementary school for the award in Mathematics for 2006. This puts them in a group of an elite 16 schools awarded. Each school gets a $10,000 award and three individuals will be flown to a black tie event in Washington D.C. for the award ceremony. At the award 1 elementary school will be chosen for the "Best of the Best" and 1 middle school also. These schools receive an additional $15,000 award and Ogden is in the running.
I'm very excited to say that Terri is a part of this story. She's worked very hard and I'm very proud of her. She will be one of the three flying to Washington D.C. in October and I plan to go with her. Also going will be Mike Berndt, fourth grade, and Jim Armendariz, the principal.
Despite Ogden's alleged reputation, I think it's obvious that it is among the very best schools in the district. It may, perhaps, be the best school in the district even despite the fact that they are understaffed for their needs and have such a heavy special needs case load. It's been fun to be a part of this school through my wife and to see how things have developed over the last four or five years. Even though Terri will not be working there after our son is born, I hope that we will still be able to help Ogden in small ways in the future.
Cheers.
