Three Dublin Elementary Schools Named Gold Ribbon Schools

DUBLIN, CA–Dougherty Elementary School, Green Elementary School and Murray Elementary School have been recognized by the State of California as Gold Ribbon Award honorees. The California Department of Education officially announced the Gold Ribbon Award recipients Wednesday afternoon. Dublin’s three honorees were among 29 in Alameda County and 772 statewide.

“We are proud of Murray, Dougherty and Green Elementary schools for their ongoing work to improve student learning,” said Dublin Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke. “Recognition as Gold Ribbon schools is a validation of the outstanding efforts of teachers, support staff, parents and students. We congratulate the three schools for receiving this prestigious award.”

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to honor schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment and accountability systems. Nearly 6,000 elementary schools were eligible to apply this year.

Schools applied for the award based on a model program their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies. The award recognized middle and high schools in 2015.

The Gold Ribbon awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

For Dougherty Elementary, this is the second significant honor in the last two years. James Dougherty became Dublin Unified’s first National Blue Ribbon School in 2015, honored by the U.S. Department of Education. Dougherty was also named a California Distinguished School in 2012. “James Dougherty is proud to receive the Gold Ribbon Award,” said Dougherty principal Brett Nelson. “It is the commitment of the staff to serve every child through our ‘Response to Intervention’ that has translated to a significant increase in our most at-risk students”

Green Elementary principal Joe Romagna expressed appreciation for the honor. John Green was named a California Distinguished School in 2012 as well. “It is truly an honor to have John Green recognized as a Gold Ribbon School,” Romagna said. “This award is the direct result of the hard work and dedication of students, staff, and the community of our school.”

Murray Elementary was most recently named a California Distinguished School in 2008. “Magical Murray is honored to be a recipient of the Gold Ribbon Award” said Murray principal Carrie Nerheim. “We will continue our commitment to every student to serve their educational, social and emotional needs.”

All three schools will be honored at the California School Recognition Program on May 5 in Santa Clara.