Page Two Blue Ribbon
School! As a Blue Ribbon School, La Costa Heights excels in all areas of academic leadership, teaching and teacher development and school curriculum. In addition, it exhibits exceptional levels of community and parental involvement, high student achievement levels, and rigorous safety and discipline programs. La Costa Heights is one of five recipients in San Diego County and one of 42 in the state. The award will be presented in October in Washington, D.C. At left, La Costa Heights teacher Jeanne Benowitz with her sixth grade class. Native American Day
In its second year, this exciting day gives students first hand knowledge of the Native American and introduction to the gardens as a wonderful community resource. Students encountered Abel Silvas (right) along the native plant trail at Quail Gardens. Silvas told the third graders stories in mime and in his ancestors native language.
Jackie Nunez leads the snake dance with Ocean Knoll teacher, Linda Verga and third graders from Capri, Paul Ecke Central, and Ocean Knoll for their Native American day at the gardens. |
U.S. Secretary
of Education, Richard W. Riley, announced in May that La Costa Heights is one of 221
public and 45 private elementary schools designated as a 1998-99 Blue Ribbon School. 
Students danced and
sang with Jackie Nunez, ending their time with her in a native snake dance. The native
plant trail was the setting for Abel Silvas, a well known storyteller whose ancestors
lived in the Encinitas area. He enchanted the students with mime and his native language.
Richard Bugbee is an expert in cordage and weaving. He shared many of the instruments used
for music and hunting. The students were awed with the reindeer hoof rattle.
