Harbor View celebrates Blue Ribbon

Deirdre Newman

CORONA DEL MAR -- The long and arduous road to becoming a Blue Ribbon

School culminated in a grand celebration Friday for Harbor View

Elementary School.

The Harbor View community and school district officials joined

together to honor last year’s staff, administrators and students for

earning the prestigious accolade.

The Blue Ribbon criteria focuses on schools that are models of

excellence and equity, and which achieve high academic standards or have

shown significant academic improvement over five years.

Principal Karen Kendall, who is on special assignment at the district

office, said the secret to the Corona del Mar campus’ success is the

nurturing teamwork displayed by the staff and the laser-like focus on the

students.

“We really care about every single child,” Kendall said. “We monitor

every child and jump in at the first sign of a problem.”

Harbor View staff began the application process, which includes a

56-page, single-spaced, two-sided application, right after being named a

California Distinguished School in May 2000, along with two other

elementary schools in the district. The state honor is a prerequisite for

becoming a national Blue Ribbon School.

In the spring, Kendall found that Harbor View had made it to the

highest echelon as one of 270 Blue Ribbon Schools in the country.

In October, teacher Scottia Evans traveled to Washington, D.C., to

accept the Blue Ribbon plaque and flag.

During the ceremony, student representatives from each grade level

spoke about why they love Harbor View.

“Everything at Harbor View is close to perfect,” sixth-grader Allison

Foster said.

Well, almost everything. When school board member Serene Stokes and

Newport Beach Mayor Gary Adams tried to unfurl the Blue Ribbon flag, it

did not cooperate. But Site Manager John Goodwin saved the day by quickly

climbing to the roof and unraveling it.

Since Harbor View was the only school to earn Blue Ribbon status in

the district last year, Supt. Robert Barbot emphasized that the students

have a responsibility to model their high standards and performance.

“With honor comes the responsibility of living up to that honor,”

Barbot said.

Kendall has already been tapped as a resource to help the district at

other campuses where there is not the same level of financial support or

parental involvement, Barbot added.

Parent Susheila Sheagley said she was moved by the Blue Ribbon

ceremony.

“It was very touching, a tear-jerker,” Sheagley said, crediting the

sincere dedication of the teachers and parents for the school’s

achievements.