Superintendents Honored With Summer Matters Superhero Award For Their Efforts

OAKLAND, Calif. - Nov. 30, 2016 - PRLog -- Three superintendents from throughout California are being honored with a Summer Matters Superhero Award for their efforts to support and expand summer learning opportunities for youth in their communities. The awardees will be recognized by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, during the California School Boards Association Annual Education Conference in San Francisco on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Moscone West San Francisco (747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103).

This year's awardees are: Superintendent Richard Martinez of Pomona Unified School District; Superintendent Dr. Deborah A. Flores of Gilroy Unified School District; and Superintendent William McCoy of Sausalito Marin City School District.

The award highlights efforts by superintendents to provide quality programs that help children in low-income and low-resource communities avoid the devastating effects of summer learning loss. A study by the Pew Research Center released last year found that the summer "opportunity gap" not only contributes to gaps in student achievement, but also in employment, and college and career success – especially for low-income youth. It is estimated that summer learning loss is responsible for two-thirds of the achievement gap for students.

"I want to congratulate all the award winners for doing such terrific work," said Tom Torlakson, California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction and co-chair of the Summer Matters campaign. "The Summer Matters Superhero Award recognizes the commitment to provide high-quality and exemplary summer learning programs that help increase student participation in class, boost student confidence and attendance, and keep kids active during the summer. Accessibility to learning opportunities during summer makes a real impact in the lives of kids, which is why we need to spread the word," added Torlakson.

In today's school environment, to succeed in school students need support beyond what a typical school day can offer. Programs must be creative and innovative in order to keep students challenged, engaged and excited about school, which, through their unique programs, and ongoing commitment to students, the Summer Matters Superhero awardees achieved.

Richard Martinez, Superintendent for Pomona Unified School District and one of the three honorees, is a tireless advocate for children's rights, who's been recognized by the White House and President Obama for his innovative digital learning initiatives. Since assuming the leadership of the district, Martinez has shifted his focus toward closing the achievement gap for inner-city students – and summer learning is key to his efforts.

Dr. Deborah Flores brings more than forty years of experience in the education field. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her work on behalf of children including the Santa Clara County and California Superintendent of the Year 2016 Award by the Association of California School Administrators. Dr. Flores credits the Summer Matters campaign as key to combating summer learning loss and increasing student confidence.

"For 8 years, we have all worked very hard to create this model summer program, as we are passionate about eliminating the typical summer learning loss that occurs for our most disadvantaged students," said Dr. Deborah Flores, Superintendent for Gilroy Unified School District. "Our vision is that every disadvantaged student in our district will be eligible to go to a 4-year college when they graduate from high school. Many of the students who have attended this program are now not only succeeding in school, but are confident, articulate, creative and collaborative students," she added.

William McCoy has worked in education for more than twenty years. As a superintendent for the last 8 years, McCoy has focused on improving systems that will render higher quality programs for students. His work with systems improvement caught the eye of state officials who invited him to participate in the Governor's Select Committee for Expanding Student Success. In February of 2016, McCoy was recognized by the White House as a "Champion for Change." According to McCoy, it's critical to provide all students with effective and high quality instruction, a high level of resources, rigor and expectations, for high school and beyond.

"Summer learning provides equity for students in order to help level the playing field year round," said William McCoy, Superintendent for Sausalito Marin City School District. "At a time when equity is being discussed on the national stage, the provision of quality programs locally is of incredible importance. I know that I cannot change the discourse at the national level, but I can help students locally build their skills and experiences to help them eventually contribute on a much broader scale. The programs and people dedicated to summer learning are vital to student success, and I am honored to help bring a spotlight to work," added McCoy.

         For more information about summer learning programs, Summer Matters, and/ or interviews, please contact Evelyn G. Alemán at (818) 881-7976 (tel:(818)%20881-7976) (office) or via e-mail at evelyn@mipr.net. You can also visitwww.summermatters.net or view the video Summer Learning: An Inspiring Alternative to Summer School at this link:http://www.summermatters.net/summer-learning-an-inspiring-alternative-to-summer-school/

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