By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

It was a morning of recognition and optimism at the 13th Annual State of the Schools Breakfast held on Thursday morning, Oct. 5, at Pacific Community Center. The breakfast is hosted by the Glendale Educational Foundation and provides information on how Glendale Unified School District schools are performing. It is also an opportunity to showcase an area that the GEF will focus on for the next two years.

According to its mission statement, “the GEF is committed to enrich and enhance the programs and projects of the GUSD for a healthy and quality learning environment to benefit students, parents and the community.” The board supports three areas: visual and performing arts, science and technology, and health and fitness. For the next two years, GEF is turning its attention to health and fitness with a motto of Getting Everyone Fit.

At Thursday’s breakfast, Superintendent Winfred Roberson lauded the GUSD board for its vision.

“The work we do builds on the culture of care,” he told the audience.

He outlined the board’s strategic plan, which is to continue to build a “robust and excellent school system,” while referencing the many recognitions on the state level received by the district’s schools. He also touched on the district’s goal of creating opportunities for every single student, including special needs students, with the promotion of Special Olympics regional competition held at Crescenta Valley High School.

Three educational excellence awards were also presented during the morning. Rima and Donnell Cameron and teachers Randy Kamiya and Dr. David Platt were recognized for their contributions. When thanking the GEF for the recognition, Kamiya acknowledged the strength of the district’s robotics program and accredited its success to volunteers and donations.

Platt, a physics teacher at Crescenta Valley High School, applauded the years of education his students received prior to arriving at his classroom, noting that these years prepared his students for his rigorous course.

A film produced by Clark Magnet High School instructor Matt Stroup and his students outlined the importance of athletic programs within the district, with several student athletes sharing how participating in these programs benefitted them.

A highlight of the morning was a speech by GUSD board president Nayiri Nahabedian that touched on the positive aspects of physical education.

“Intramural sports and games provide an opportunity for some students to gravitate toward others and to the school environment,” she said.

Then, following her comments, a check in the amount of $110,000 was presented to the GUSD board by the Glendale Educational Foundation.

In his comments, Superintendent Roberson summed up the positive outlook for the district.

“The future looks bright,” he said.

  Leonard Coutin, robin goldsworthy