Magna Awards honor exemplary school district programs
4/22/03 -- Twenty-four school districts from across the United States have been named winners in American School Board Journal's Magna Awards 2003 program during NSBA's Annual Conference earlier this month in San Francisco.
The Magna Awards, presented for the ninth year with the support of Sodexho School Services, recognize districts for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools.
The grand prize winner, Burke County Public Schools of Morganton, N.C., receives $2,500 in scholarship money.
Two citation winners -- Berrien County Intermediate School District in Berrien Springs, Mich., and the Pasco County School District in Land O' Lakes, Fla. -- receive $1,000 each in scholarship funds.
Burke County was honored for "Rolling with Pre-K," which blends private and public funds to create a mobile early childhood education program for 150 preschoolers.
Two rebuilt school buses travel to six rural communities each week. Teachers work with students on pre-academic and socialization skills.
Berrien County received a citation award for "Lest We Forget: World War II Veterans Project." This multimedia project includes interviews with World War II veterans and a video history of their experiences. The project, which features a taped introduction by NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, includes World War II-themed lesson plans and classroom activities, as well as images of memorabilia provided by the veterans.
Pasco County earned a citation for its "Earth Patrol" program, which provides hands-on environmental education for students and reduces district utility bills. Approximately 500 students in the elementary and middle grades monitor recycling efforts and inspect their schools to ensure that resources aren't wasted.
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| Reproduced with permission from the Apr. 22, 2003, issue of School Board News. Copyright © 2003, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789. |