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Home :: Discover EGUSD :: Superintendent :: Superintendent's Message
I was eating lunch on a cafeteria bench at Prairie Elementary when a 4th grade student ambassador for an awards ceremony tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Dr. Ladd, can you please scooch?” I slid over.
Two of his colleagues joined him as he sat down beside me. The young man immediately started a conversation about national economics with me and my lunch companions, Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick and Alan Ng, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s Western Regional Director.
The student’s questions and comments were thoughtful, engaging both his fellow-ambassadors and the adults in the dialog. As I listened to his ideas, I knew with certainty that our elementary schools are preparing the next generation of leaders.
Prior to our lunch together, these students had been among a group of Prairie Elementary student leaders who had greeted guests at the USDA’s HealthierUS Schools Challenge Awards presentation honoring all 39 EGUSD schools on October 14. The students were terrific. As they ushered us through the school, they pointed to important campus landmarks, commented on their educational efforts and noted the highlights of the school’s garden. They truly were ambassadors for their community, Prairie Elementary and EGUSD.
At the USDA awards ceremony, Mr. Ng presented the awards to representatives from each of our 39 schools and the district’s Food and Nutrition Department for their work towards improving nutrition for our community’s youth. We were honored to have both Mayor Detrick and Mayor Robert McGarvey of the City of Rancho Cordova, bring greetings to the assembled.
This was just one of several recognitions our district, schools, students and staff have received since the beginning of the school year. At a recent National Future Farmers of America convention students from Elk Grove, Florin, Pleasant Grove and Sheldon high school were honored for their work in agriculture. EGUSD has some of the most respected FFA programs in the nation and the largest in California at our urban Florin High School.
Toby Johnson Middle School was recently redesignated as a “School to Watch” through the California Schools to Watch™ – Taking Center Stage program, sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE), National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and California Middle Grades Alliance. The school was honored for their continued academic excellence and proven track record.
Earlier this year our Facilities and Planning Department was recognized by the American Public Works Association as the 2011 Project of the Year Award for our work on the construction of the new Cosumnes River Elementary School and the SR-16/Kiefer Boulevard improvements. Over the years many people in the district and community contributed to getting a new school built in the far eastern part of our district in order to replace a school that was built 50 years before for a much smaller community. Their work is to be commended.
In October, “Energy Awareness Month,” we were thrilled to recognize our schools and staff for achieving and surpassing our $1 million energy savings goal for 2010-2011, saving over $1.3 million. In addition, all EGUSD schools were able to meet their individual savings goals. In return, they each received a percentage of their savings for their discretionary budgets, which have been cut over the past four years. At the October 4, 2011, Board of Education meeting the schools that made the most progress in energy savings were recognized. These included: Laguna Creek, Valley and William Daylor high schools; Toby Johnson and Harriet Eddy middle schools; and Elk Grove, Foulks Ranch, Florence Markofer, James McKee and Arnold Adreani elementary schools. In addition, our Communications Department and district web specialist were recognized with awards at both the national and state levels for their work on the campaign.
These are just a handful of our recognitions. As we move through the school year we will have many others receive recognition for their work. It is through the accomplishments of our staff, students and parents that EGUSD continues to be a school district to watch in the State of California and the nation.
Steven M. Ladd, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Superintendent's Archived
Messages
I was in a kindergarten classroom the other day...
It is hard to believe that the close of another school year is quickly approaching...
Welcome back and best wishes for 2011...
In late October, I received an email from a principal...
The Elk Grove Unified School District family has sent a powerful message...
For a third year in a row, the Elk Grove Unified School District faces severe budget cuts...
Welcome back from our holiday winter break...
With cooler mornings and shorter days...
Welcome back to a new year...
Springtime in Elk Grove Unified means plays, standardized testing...
At the March 3, 2009, Board of Education meeting...
The State of California’s budget crisis needs to be addressed quickly...
As we move through the 2008-2009 school year it is quickly becoming clear...
The autumn months are a wonderful time at our high schools...
As the state of California continues to wrestle with the budget...
“EGUSD Goes Gold – Celebrating 50 Years of Educational Excellence.”
California’s fiscal crisis and its potential affect on public education funding
Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget
Achievement Gap
Winter Break Message
Safety is one of our top priorities
PSAT For All
Welcome to the newly
redesigned website for the Elk Grove
Unified School District.
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