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Verdugo Hills wins 2000 Platinum Apple Award for Copernican schedule
September, 2000. The Platinum Apple Awards honor excellence in education by recognizing deserving programs or personnel in our schools. Each chapter was eligible to nominate an individual or a program for such accomplishments as innovative curriculum, exemplary instructional techniques, an outstanding educational program, reform successes, or effective professional development. These exceptional teachers and health and human services personnel honor all of us through dedication to their profession.
The winners were selected by teacher members of the Platinum Apple committee from nominations made at UTLA chapter meetings.
Charles Noyes, chapter chair, and Judy Tejeda, co-chair, accepted the award for the Verdugo Hills faculty "[for the] courage to try the Copernican Accelerated Block Schedule ... and improve student achievement."
Charles Noyes's nomination that resulted in Verdugo's award:
"I would like to nominate the entire faculty and staff at Verdugo Hills High School for having the courage to try the Copernican Accelerated Block Schedule and for being able to use the schedule to improve student achievement.
Many schools have looked at this schedule, but have not had the courage to try it. VHHS went out on a limb to try to improve student achievement and is now enjoying the fruits of VHHS of its success.
VHHS was hindered at every turn by the district bureaucracy. Our entire staff stood strong and showed 450 N. Grand that we do know how to improve our school. As you can see, the Benchmark Performance Indicators we have, improved student attendance, A - F pass rate, dropout rate and teachers' absenteeism.
The district has not acknowledged our success. In fact, some would like to take this schedule away from us.
We believe it is fitting for UTLA to acknowledge a school that has take on a major schedule change, stood up to the district, and showed great improvement in student achievement."
Charles Noyes's acceptance speech:
"Thank you. It has been a wonderful experience to work with a staff that is willing to take risks to improve student achievement. We did it and have been successful. Thank you."
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