Innovative Schools Earn $2.5 Million in Grants and Prizes from Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards

The 2006 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards named Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School/P.S. 161 in New York and Chisholm Middle School in Newton, Kan. as the "Best of the Best” winners. The annual awards, sponsored by Intel Corporation, the world’s leader in silicon innovation and long-time champion of educational improvement, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, honor schools for implementing innovative and replicable programs that support positive educational outcomes, and distribute $2.5 million in grants and prizes to winning schools. Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School/P.S. 161 and Chisholm Middle School earned honors in the "Collaboration & Teamwork” category for their innovative "school as a community” models in which parents are deeply involved and local and national partnerships are formed to further student achievement. "Strong and continuous improvement is essential to the American educational system,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett. "While many talk about improving the education of our children, the people behind these winning schools -- communities, administrators, teachers, parents and students -- demonstrate that thoughtful action can achieve exceptional results.” "These outstanding schools demonstrate the vital role that families and communities play in expanding the educational resources and experiences that we can offer school children,” said Francie Alexander, chief academic officer, Scholastic. "Working directly with teachers and schools to promote a love of learning is at the core of Scholastic’s mission, and this year’s ‘Best of the Best’ winners serve as excellent examples of how families, businesses and communities can work with schools to enhance academic opportunities for all students.” Along with Don Pedro and Chisholm, 14 other schools were honored at a gala tonight in Washington, D.C. As Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Award winners in academic achievement, science, mathematics, technology, literacy and leadership, these winning schools each received $10,000 from the Intel Foundation and a host of prizes ranging from curriculum materials and professional development resources to software and hardware from Scholastic and other sponsors. The two "Best of the Best” schools each received an additional $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation. Best of the Best This year’s "Best of the Best” winning schools offer impressive examples of how parent involvement and public-private collaborations can positively impact student achievement. Each winner showcases a remarkable staff and an impressive academic record combined with engaged parents, community members and local businesses. These schools are excellent examples of how an entire community can come together to educate and inspire its youngest members. Located in Washington Heights, an underserved community in New York City, Don Pedro Albizu Campos Elementary School/P.S. 161 remains committed to each student’s future success by providing a solid academic foundation, instilling civic responsibility and raising global awareness. Parent involvement includes "Learning Leaders,” training to become classroom volunteers, and using oral histories to enhance curriculum in the humanities. Don Pedro’s commitment to welcoming parents into the school community is underscored by its innovative after school and evening coursework for parents -- educational courses ranging from English language proficiency and technology literacy classes to a complete GED program. Don Pedro is also dedicated to forging partnerships that foster high academic achievement, collaborating with Suzuki Program, the Ford Foundation, Lehman College and the City University of New York. Don Pedro is a demonstration school for the Lorraine Monroe Institute, which helps urban minority schools reach parity with the best in academia. The school’s innovative programs are paying off -- the 94 percent attendance rate is the highest in the district, a testimony to the commitment of the staff and determination of the students and parents. Failure is not an option for the teachers and students at Chisholm Middle School in rural Newton, Kan. Despite an explosion in enrollment of English Language Learners in recent years, the school continues to take a unique approach to academic excellence, where teachers and parents are a fortified team, working in the best interest of the students. Parents are actively involved in school activities through daily email announcements, regular parent conferences and the PTO, which has helped raise funds to renovate not only Chisholm assets but educational facilities throughout the community. The school sends home eight progress reports each year and parents have online, immediate access to students' grades, discipline and attendance records. For parents without Internet access, the school provides access each week to technology resources. Chisholm’s faculty is an example of leveled leadership, where teachers accept a rotating leadership role in the school improvement process and the school’s schedule is structured to allow for daily teacher collaboration. All teachers new to the profession are assigned a district mentor and attend monthly training sessions, and rookie and veteran educators alike receive formal peer support and guidance. Chisholm frequently works with the broader community to further learning. Bethel College teams with the school through student teachers, academic research and mentor support, all of which are part of the collaborative approach to learning. Students receive one-on-one tutoring support from business and community volunteers, intramural athletic opportunities through the Newton Recreation Commission and involvement from the "Bigs in Schools program,” a spinoff of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Chisholm works with Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church to hold homework classes for English Language Learners, which helped improve grades and homework completion by 50 percent. Students are encouraged to give back to the community by volunteering at the local humane society and nursing homes. Chisholm, which boasts a 96 percent attendance rate, was recognized with the Kansas Challenge Award Certificate of Merit for outstanding academic achievement and the school’s eighth graders achieved the state Standard of Excellence in reading. The Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction awards include cash grants from the Intel Foundation, and educational products and services including Grolier Online and FASTT Math from Scholastic. In addition, the winners receive curriculum materials, and software and hardware from corporate sponsors including Adobe, Agilix, Blackboard, Dell, eInstruction Corp., Futurekids, Lenovo, Microsoft Corp., NEC, Pitsco, Riverdeep Interactive Learning Limited, Scantron Corp., SchoolNet and SMART Technologies. For more information on the Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards and to view the complete list of winners, visit www.schoolsofdistinction.com. Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children’s books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the company’s Internet site, www.scholastic.com. Intel’s sponsorship of the Schools of Distinction Awards is part of the Intel® Education initiative, a sustained public-private partnership with governments in more than 50 countries. Through this $100 million a year initiative, Intel delivers programs that improve the effective use of technology to enhance 21st century skills, and encourages excellence in mathematics, science and engineering. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education. Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.