Green Valley Middle School Honored by State

Green Valley Middle School Honored by State
By Audrey Wong

FAIRFIELD - Green Valley Middle School in Fairfield and Buckingham Charter Magnet High School in Vacaville were named distinguished schools Monday by the state Department of Education.

State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell called Green Valley Principal Greg Hubbs to deliver the good news. Green Valley is one of 76 middle schools in the state to receive the award.

"It's very, very thrilling to the whole school," Hubbs said Monday afternoon. "In order to be eligible the kids in school had to reach their academic goals in state tests."

In the past five years Green Valley students have grew 100 points on the Academic Performance Index test and 45 points from the previous year. In the 2005-2006 school year Buckingham students grew 43 points according to the state Department of Education Web site.

This is the first time Green Valley Middle School has received the honor, Hubbs said. Sullivan and Dover middle schools in Fairfield have been recognized previously as distinguished schools.

Green Valley was likely recognized because of its programs, including its online ones, Hubbs said. Math teacher Dennis Sherman helped post students' grades online so parents can check them. Many Green Valley teachers have their own Web sites where students and parents can see teachers' notes and assignments.

Hubbs said the school takes pride in how it communicates with parents. The school has 15 days for parent conferences and a parenting class, he said.

Eighth graders help new students adjust to the school through the Where Everyone Belongs program. Before the beginning of the school year the incoming seventh graders meet "eighth graders that care about them," Hubbs said. This year 90 percent of the incoming seventh graders participated.

Students can also join Rachel's Challenge, a club that encourages students to be nice to each other and discourages bullying.

Hubbs plans to celebrate the title with a barbecue lunch this month and probably a public event in May. School staff will attend a state awards ceremony in Disneyland, Hubbs said.

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net.