Moreland School District continuously strives to achieve academic excellence for all students.  In doing so, our schools have soared beyond what we could have imagined, and continue to excel with our students becoming the ultimate winners.

As we continue to strive toward reaching our strategic goals every day, it is an honor to be recognized for the hard work and achievement reached by our teachers, staff, and volunteers.  A small district with big goals, we are truly a family and community unlike any other.

 

Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education Exemplary Project Award, 2019

Moreland Middle School, Academic Empowerment for Student Success

Moreland Middle School’s (MMS) Academic Empowerment Program was named the 2019 Goldin Foundation of Educational Excellence Exemplary Project,  a distinguished honor that includes a monetary award of $5,000 that will go toward program needs. Founded by former Moreland parent volunteer, Amy Bencomo, and MMS’ Assistant Principal Hilary Gill, the Academic Empowerment Program is in its fourth year.  Academic Empowerment matches adult volunteer mentors to middle school students who have a 2.0 or lower GPA with the goal of giving students struggling in school the tools necessary to become better learners.  This program has successfully achieved this goal year after year by mobilizing parents and community members to serve as volunteer academic mentors for at-risk students in 6th - 8th grade.  Approximately 20-25 students per year choose to participate in this one-on-one opportunity. 

Junior League of San Jose's Volunteer Recognition 2019, Crystal Bowl Winner
Moreland Education Foundation President, Melissa Rhyne

Melissa Rhyne, a Payne Elementary School parent, has been selected as the Junior League of San Jose’s Crystal Bowl Award Winner, in the category of Leadership.  Melissa was nominated by the Moreland School District for her work as the President of the Moreland Education Foundation (MEF). As the President of MEF, Melissa increased fundraising revenue to the Moreland School District while decreasing the workload on volunteers, creating a more sustainable program.  Because of her leadership style, Melissa has recruited volunteers to lead MEF’s branch of Sports in Moreland, supporting over 550 students in middle school sports. Under her leadership, more than $21,000 has been earmarked annually to fund teacher grants for the Moreland school community.  

 

Project Cornerstone's Peer to Peer Influence Award, 2019
Moreland Middle School's Claire Kampmeier

Claire Kampmeier, 8th grade student at Moreland Middle School, has been selected for the 2019 Project Cornerstone Asset Champions Award in the Positive Peer Influence category. The annual Asset Champions Award recognizes schools and individual efforts to make the community a better place for young people to live and grow. Nominated by her peer, 8th grade student Jack Roue, Claire is described as an informed, passionate, and courageous leader who inspires both her fellow students and staff at Moreland Middle School (MMS).  As a leader of the Inclusivity Club at MMS, Claire brings together diverse students to discuss contemporary issues and how to provide a nurturing space for all students on campus. Her leadership role requires research and planning to lead weekly meetings, in addition to executing activities around the school to support all students who may feel marginalized.

 

Junior League of San Jose's Volunteer Recognition 2018
Anderson Volunteer, Herminia Linares
Herminia Linares, a former Anderson parent and current grandparent of a student, was honored by the Junior League of San Jose Volunteer Recognition. Herminia received a certificate for her work in organizing Anderson Elementary School’s tamale sales at the Moreland Education Foundation’s (MEF) annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser.  In partnership with Anderson’s Community Liaison, Eva Chesnut, Herminia has organized this annual fundraiser for Anderson and the Moreland Education Foundation for over 10 years.  In addition to being the lead cook for this event, Herminia also ensures that all the food items are donated to avoid additional costs for those families who wish to assist with this fundraiser.  Through the years, this fundraising event has transformed into a 20+ person volunteer force of parents who have brought together Moreland’s entire community and highlighted the culture and community within Anderson.

 

California Department of Education 
California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement DataSystem (CALPADS) Data Management Recognition 2018
The Moreland School District was recognized by the California Department of Education and the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team for the submission and maintenance of high-quality data for the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS).  Three times a year, staff must enter and maintain student and staff data that in turn is used for many significant purposes, including Local Control Funding Formula, the test registration system for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), and the Accountability Progress Reporting System. It is integral for Moreland to work with CALPADS throughout the year to maintain up-to-date, current and accurate data by the established submission deadlines.

Santa Clara County Office of Education Teacher of the Year 2017
Moreland Middle School Teacher, Shanna Urbancic
Moreland Middle School English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher for English Learner students, Shanna Urbancic, has been selected as one of three teachers to represent Santa Clara County at the California State Teacher of the Year competition.  Every year, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) nominates three teachers, one for every 5,000 teachers working in the region.

National Blue Ribbon Award 2017
Payne Elementary School
Payne Elementary School has been recognized as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. Payne is one of 342 schools chosen in the country, and the only school chosen in Santa Clara County to be recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School under the National Blue Ribbon honors.

As one of 25 schools selected in California, Payne was selected for being in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked on the performance of all students who participated in the state assessments (California Assessment of Performance and Progress) and for being in the top 40% of all schools in the state when schools are ranked on the performance of all students in the subgroup who participated in the state assessment tests.

Project Cornerstone's Caring School Climate 2017
Baker Elementary School
Baker Elementary School was selected for the 2017 Project Cornerstone Asset Champions Award in the Caring School Climate category. The annual Asset Champions Award recognizes schools and individual efforts to make the community a better place for young people to live and grow. Vickie Miyaoka, the parent who nominated Baker, commented that Baker’s programs have contributed to a safe and nurturing place for students and staff members. More importantly, these programs have created a culture of inclusion and respect among their entire school population.

 

Junior League of San Jose, Crystal Bowl Winner & Honoree 2017 

Moreland Education Foundation Treasurer Vasudha Rao & Music in Moreland Chair, Liz Youngman

Vasudha Rao, a Moreland Middle School parent, has been selected as the Junior League of San Jose's Crystal Bowl Award Winner in the category of Professional Services. Liz Youngman, a parent at Easterbrook Discovery School, will also receive a certificate and be honored in the Leadership category.  Vasudha was nominated by the Moreland School District and the Moreland Education Foundation (MEF) for her work with MEF as their Treasurer, Moreland Middle School MEF Site Representative and Music in Moreland co-chair.  Liz Youngman, a parent at Easterbrook Discovery School (EDS) was also nominated by the District and MEF and will receive a certificate and be honored for her work as the Music in Moreland co-chair in the category of Leadership.

Santa Clara County Office of Education Classified Employee of the Year, Services & Security 2016
Anderson Community Liaison, Eva Chesnut
Eva Chesnut, Community Liaison at Anderson Elementary School, has been selected by the Santa Clara County Office of Education as the Classified Employee of the Year in the Services and Security category. Eva is one of six people in the County who is being recognized for her exemplary services.

The Moreland School District’s Parent Education Programs titled, “The Power of Parent Engagement” has been selected by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association to receive a Glenn W. Hoffmann Award. As only one of four Hoffmann awards selected, “The Power of Parent Engagement” recognizes The Parent Project and Moreland’s Community Based English Tutoring program (CBET). 

 

Moreland Middle School was awarded the 2015 California Gold Ribbon Schools Award from California Department of Education. In addition, Moreland Middle is one of 38 schools in the state that were given an additional honor of being selected as having an Exemplary Program in Arts Education and Physical Activity and Nutrition.  The only middle school in West San Jose to receive this honor, Moreland Middle School was one of 193 middle schools in the state to receive the California Gold Ribbon Schools Award, taking the place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessments and accountability systems.

California Distinguished School Award 2012
Country Lane Elementary School
Country Lane Elementary School has been selected as a 2012 California Distinguished School due to their signature practices of using data to determine instructional focus and their ability to accelerate student learning with flexible grouping. Country Lane has been able to narrow the achievement gap through the use of formative assessments, benchmark data and individualized instruction to ensure that all students are succeeding to their full potential.

Glenn W. Hoffman Award Honorable Mention 2012
Payne Elementary School
Payne Elementary School has been awarded Honorable Mention in the 2012 Glenn W. Hoffman Awards for its program, “Excellence in Academic Performance” which initially originated in an effort to provide each student with data-driven instruction in all academic areas. The results of the program were evident through the growth and consistency of the STAR test results and decrease in the achievement gap ranging from 3% to 41%. The prestigious Glenn W. Hoffman Award honors exemplary educational programs that have a significant impact on student success in Santa Clara County.

2012 Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education Award
Recipient Wendy Johnson
Payne fifth grade teacher Wendy Johnson is being honored with the Goldin Foundation Excellence in Education Award. Wendy has a strong commitment to academic excellence, provides for a nurturing and challenging classroom climate, and is a natural leader. She is a consummate professional, an outstanding educator and a strong role model for new teachers. The Goldin Foundation bases its criteria on educators who play a vital role in society in supporting young people’s growth and preparing them to be adaptable, flexible, creative, and responsive to future societal change.

Payne Elementary School
Nominated for Project Cornerstone
Assets Champion Award
Payne Elementary School was nominationed for the Project Cornerstone Assets Champion Award for their commitment to fostering a positive school climate. One of Payne’s strategic goals stipulates that students, parents, and staff will feel safe, connected, respected, and engaged at Payne School, leading to a shared sense of ownership for school success.

California Distinguished School Award 2011
Moreland Middle School
Every year, the California Department of Education alternates between selecting elementary schools and middle/high schools to be recognized as California Distinguished Schools.  This year, among the 42 middle schools and 78 high schools throughout Santa Clara County, only 3 middle schools will be recognized as California Distinguished Schools, Moreland Middle School being one of them.  Through a robust application process and site visit, Moreland Middle School shined, showcasing among many other successes, their Roadmap to Academic Excellence program.

Glenn Hoffmann Award 2011, Santa Clara County School Boards Association
Moreland Middle School
Selected in the Accountability and Assessment category, Moreland Middle School was a recipient of the Glenn Hoffman award highlighting exemplary educational programs in Santa Clara County that have a significant impact on student success.  With the belief that “every child is our child,” Moreland Middle School established a school plan with a long-term vision and specific measurable objectives to ensure that all students are academically, emotionally, and socially successful.

The National Magna Award 2011
Moreland School District
One of only three grand prize winners in the Unites States, the Moreland School District was honored at the National School Boards Association Conference for its Academic Excellence for All program initiated at Anderson Elementary School.  Once the lowest-performing elementary school in Santa Clara County, Anderson took on a new approach to teaching strategies in order to improve student achievement.  Four years later, Anderson’s API score rose over 200 points, bringing with it a closeing of the achievement gap, raising test scores for the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students and Hispanic students.  Moreland School District was the only grand prize winner in the Western United States.

2011 Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education Award Recipients – Chelsea Armann and Susie Morales
Two highly respected teachers within the Moreland School District were awarded the 2011 Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education Award:  Chelsea Armann, 6th grade teacher at Moreland Middle School and Susie Morales, Preschool Teacher and Enrichment Coordinator at Moreland Child Development Center.  Both Chelsea and Susie were recognized for their excellence, expertise, and demonstrable achievement in education.  The Goldin Foundation bases its criteria on educators who play a vital role in society in supporting young people’s growth and preparing them to be adaptable, flexible, creative, and responsive to future societal change.

2011 California League of Middle Schools Region 5
Educator of the Year – Seema Salgaonkar
Chosen among a large geographic territory, inclusive of San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties, Seema Salgaonkar, 7th grade teacher at Moreland Middle School won the annual California League of Middle Schools Region 5 Educator of the Year Award.  Seema’s energy and dedication toward her students are perfectly aligned with Moreland’s vision of every student succeeding.

The Golden Bell Award 2010
Anderson Elementary School
The California School Boards Association honored Anderson Elementary School at the 31st Annual Golden Bell Awards in the “Bridging the Achievement Gap” category.  Anderson set the bar for closing the achievement gap in Santa Clara County by increasing their API by 206 points in just three years.  Anderson’s “Academic Excellence for All” program uses data-driven instruction to successfully bridge the achievement gap.  The Golden Bell Awards program promotes excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts and county offices of education throughout California.  The Moreland School District was the only district in Santa Clara County to win.