"To me it seemed very easy. You get Spanish into the curriculum, you extend the school day. And I said, 'Let's go for it!' I didn't think we would get it on our first try, but we did."
Principal Shannon Gomez was talking about her Redondo Beach parochial school, St. Lawrence Martyr, being one of 39 Catholic schools named last month by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2007 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School.
But the 30-year-old, fourth-year principal had a pretty good idea why the elementary school was designated a prestigious "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence" along with 286 mostly public plus private schools this year.
"Our school had a really good foundation here the past 55 years under the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet," Gomez said. "We're known in the community as an outstanding school of excellence, and for a lack of turnover in administration. There's only been four principals here, and then I was the first lay principal.
"So the foundation was built by the CSJs, and then it was just coming in and instituting change that was necessary."
The principal added Spanish to the core curriculum in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, extending the school day to accommodate the new subject. She also hired a full-time resource specialist to work with children who needed extra help and eventually with gifted students, too.
Aesthetically, she went about sprucing up the whole campus, which included a new paint job, carpeting, bathrooms and playground. Water fountains were installed in hallways. "If parents and students are proud about their school and enjoy what they see when they go to school, they're going to feel proud and better about their environment," she explained.
High expectations
Already high expectations for students were raised a notch. Teachers were encouraged to take their classes to the next level, making sure that their charges were not only ready for high school but also motivated to aim for college and beyond. Likewise, parents were offered opportunities to participate even more in their children's day-to-day education.
Technology-wise, computers have been upgraded every year with the help of a grant from IBM. Currently, there are two fully functioning computer labs plus a mobile lab that can go into any classroom for a PowerPoint lesson. Teachers take home laptops so they can do grading and other work at home.
But Gomez raved the most about the role her teachers play at St. Lawrence Martyr.
"Research shows that if the kids are loved and cared for they're going to perform to whatever standard that you set for them," she said. "So I really feel that that is why kids do so well here. It all goes down to the hiring of who's going to fill in your puzzle and make your team, and buy into our vision and our philosophy.
"If your faculty and staff aren't behind the school, you're going to crumble. They're the best proponents of the school. There's always a mix of seasoned and new teachers. But the ones who stay are the ones who support the mission of the school. And in my fourth year here, this is the best faculty.
"They create the sense of a faith community with the students, parents and pastor, Msgr. Paul Dotson, who is very supportive. This is our vocation. It's embedded in our faith. Jesus is our focus. So if God is behind you," she continued with grin, "how are you going to fail?"
Teachers' take
Jeff Lee, who teaches English and literature and has sixth grade homeroom duties, has only been at the Redondo Beach school for a couple months. But he's already experienced the "incredible" supportive environment that permeates its brick-and- stucco walls. "That spirit of community and collaboration is probably one of the main reasons why we won the Blue Ribbon School award," he pointed out.
Lee agrees with his principal that good teachers make a good school. And he describes his colleagues as dedicated and willing to walk the extra mile. But, most important, they care about their students' morals and aren't afraid to address these moral issues in the classroom.
"But when I think about why St. Lawrence is a Blue Ribbon school, I really do think it's the students," Lee said. "They're very dedicated to their scholarship and to their faith. And I think that's very refreshing to be a part of."
Second grade teacher Michelle Heuerman came straight from college to St. Lawrence Martyr and has been there now for 15 years. She says the quality of education at the parochial school starts with the pastor down to the principal, teachers, parents and students.
"Everybody wants the kids to succeed," she reported. "And when you have support like that, the kids are going to achieve and they're going to be happy here. I think great teachers at Catholic school have gotten a calling. It's their faith and their love for God that brings them to a school like this."
Patricia Arnett has been a high school and junior high teacher for 30 years, the last 11 at St. Lawrence Martyr teaching social studies. The sense of community at the elementary school can't really be quantified or even described, she says. It's just a warm, welcoming presence that helps students do their best.
"I believe our size [305 students] really matters," she said. "If a student is having problems in class, we all say, 'Is there something going on we don't know about?' It's not gossip, it's, 'Can we reach out to that child and extend to them an ear, some compassion?'
"And with our resource person, we've got someone else who can reach a hand out to a student who needs a little bit more time than can be given in the classroom. It's that kind of richness that is comfortable for me. So staying up late doing school work is no problem. I just love what I do and feel that teaching here has enriched my spiritual life."
Students sound off
But maybe it's best to go right to the source and ask some seasoned eighth graders what makes their elementary school worthy of the national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence prize.
"I believe St. Lawrence won the Blue Ribbon School award because the teachers are probably the best teachers that we've had in years," said 13-year-old David Tassone. "They're willing to compromise with their students and are always helpful and cheerful and willing to do whatever is best for the student. And we have a great principal in Mrs. Gomez."
After a moment, he added, "Students try their hardest in Catholic school to just work as hard as they can to do their best."
Amanda Shimizu believes her school is special because the teachers are so organized and supportive. "If you ever need help, you can go to any of the teachers and they'll always help you," she said. "And they're trustworthy. It's very important for a student to be able to trust their teacher."
The 13-year-old likes going to Catholic school because she can freely discuss her religion in class just like she can at home. "It's a much closer family environment here," she pointed out. "So you feel more comfortable and more at ease, which for me helps me learn better."
Another 13-year-old, Curren Clune, is convinced St. Lawrence Martyr won the Blue Ribbon award because of all the changes around campus - from new uniforms to new bathrooms to Spanish in every class. Knowing Spanish will not only help him and his classmates get into good high schools, but also give them a leg up throughout their lives in bilingual California.
"I don't think we could have gotten the Blue Ribbon award without Mrs. Gomez being here because of all the changes that she has made," he stressed. "Everything that she's done has made us a Blue Ribbon school."
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