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Schools

Two Pacifica Schools Receive Prestigious Kent Award

Ocean Shore School and Ingrid B. Lacy recognized for excellence in school programs.

The San Mateo County School Board Association honored two Pacifica schools, and , at the Kent Awards dinner on Monday, May 23.

The Kent Awards, named after J. Russell Kent, a past Superintendent of Schools for San Mateo County, marks new school programs and teachers that positively influence school communities.

Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School received the award for its new advisory program. The program allocates 30 minutes of student time each week for character education, specifically on values important to further education: Responsibility, integrity, honesty, compassion and respect.

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Principal Tina Van Rapphorst said that the advisory program, led and organized by Meghan Blackman, school counselor, and teachers Kristi Eifert and Allen Seul, attempts to answer the question, “What do we stand for?”

“We are committed to creating and sustaining a positive and tolerant campus atmosphere where we all can teach and learn, safely and peacefully,” Van Raaphorst said. “We hope our program will serve as a vehicle for students to develop who they are as they help to shape our school community in a positive, learning-friendly environment.”

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Ocean Shore School received the award for its "Celebrate Diversity Day", where students hear from guest speakers and participate in activities designed to “nurture positive attitudes so that bullying based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, physical and cognitive ability, and family structure no longer exists.”

Seeking to end the harassment of "others", Shain and the school community look to teach and promote understanding and empathy and help ensure that students maneuver through life compassionately.

Both schools are excited about their programs, and look forward to continuing them in the next school year.

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