State of the School District — Principled, Student Focused, Moving Forward

Superintendent Peter Livingston and school site administrators shared how far the district has come just this past year and outlined good things to come in the near future at the May 12th meeting of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s Board of Trustees.

 

Mr. Livingston began the presentation by saying the district’s “Unity of Purpose” points the direction for the district:

 

“Belief Statement: We embrace being a small district where each student has a name and not just a number.”

“The Lucerne Valley Unified School District Vision Statement: All students will be proficient in State grade-level standards as determined by valid assessment measures. This will be achieved through the use of a highly qualified and trained staff, full implementation and effective curriculum, and research proven interventions under the guidance and support of highly qualified administrators. LVUSD will be a safe, caring, supportive environment for all.”

 

“The Lucerne Valley Unified School District Mission Statement: Lucerne Valley Unified School District is committed to maintaining our status as a model district in the State of California. Our students will be prepared academically, socially, and ethically to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens.”

Since Mr. Livingston arrived, the LVUSD has seen a steady increase in enrollment. There were 669 students in 2015-16 followed by 697 (2016-17) 749 (2017-18), 764 (2018-19), 834 (2019-20), 891 (2021-2022), and 980 (2021-22). The trend, and other growth factors, indicate the school district will have more than 1,000 students — the first over the mark in many years — next school year, he said.

 

Elementary School Principal Ricky Anderson, who recently received his doctorate degree, touted the school’s many recent achievements. Topping the list is that LVES was a 2022 Recipient of the California Pivotal Practice Award Program from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The award replaces the coveted Distinguished School Award. The following are other highlights at LVES:

 

• LVES will be working with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to become a Social Emotional Learning model school. 

• Facilities improvements include shade structures and additional concrete new and improved drop off area for parents (under the advisement of the JPA risk management team) and a new marquee.

• Recent staffing includes new teachers due to a marked increase in Kinder enrollment, an intervention teacher, bilingual and instructional aides, elementary school counselor, increase in cafeteria/campus proctor hours, a 2022-23 Elementary PE teacher and a STEM lab teacher.

• Programs include Orton Gillingham Reading Intervention, the wellness app Inner Explorer, an increased partnership with the Middle High School with sports and activities for 6th graders, and the addition of Interactive Smart boards in the 1-6 grade classrooms.There also are program improvement plans for the district’s transitional kindergarten program.

• Highlights for the past year at the Elementary School include the “Moana Jr.” Drama Club production, the Fall Festival — which raised a record amount for the school — the return of field trips and dances, and the return of electives and sports.

 

Lucerne Valley Middle High School Principal Kelly Boeing gave an update on the Middle High School. She shared the following highlights:

 

• Recent staffing has included bilingual aide Aleida Hernandez, full time contracted nurse Lana Sharma, Teacher on Special Assignment Mrs. Haecker serves as EL Coordinator, lead SAI teacher, SAT Coordinator, Data Coordinator, WASC Coordinator, Mission: Graduate coordinator and CTE Coordinator, full time counselor Ashley Ackerman and Maintenance & Operations Electrician Bradley Strain.

• New programs include Opportunities and Mission: Graduate, two programs which have helped students recoup a total of 340 units with only one student referred to alternative education. Working with the elementary school, the 6th graders have been able to join Middle School athletics. With the booming EL population, the school has created an EL support class and have two full sections where EL students have gained an average of 60 points in iReady testing.

• The Middle High School has 11 Pathways through a number of CTE course offerings. Sector categories include Transportation, Health Science & Medical Technology, Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation, Manufacturing and Product Development, Public Service, Special Subjects and Agriculture and Natural Resources.

• Cosmetic improvements include converting the handball courts to storage, upgrading the softball and football fields include clay and DG and a windbreak, rockscapes and Pride posters.

• Facilities improvements will include a new AB wing where the Cadet Corps will have secured storage, new restroom and storage, a new marquee and concession stand and nearby restrooms at Peavy Field.

• Highlights for the past school year include Agape League Champions in Girls’ Basketball, Brandon Barkley named Agape League Coach of the Year for the third year, HS football traveling to Mammoth, MS Soccer made it to playoffs, Levar Timmons made CIF prelims in triple jump, HS girls soccer won Sportsmanship Award, HS boys soccer won Sportsmanship Award, HS and MS Volleyball made the playoffs, HS football won the Sportsmanship award, and Emma Neferdorff was selected to play in the Honor Band

• Individual Sports All League Highlights include the following:
Football: Lukas King (Sr.) 1st team, defense, Mario Sierra (Sr. ) 2nd team, Dylan Muldoon (So.) 2nd team, Kevin Angeles (So.) 2nd team
Volleyball: Elissa Otwell (Sr.) 2nd team
Boys Soccer: Mario Sierra (Sr.) 2nd team
Girls Soccer: Kayden David (So.) 1st team, Zoey Davis (Fr.) 2nd team
Boys Basketball: Robert Cook (Sr.) 1st team, Levar Timmons (Sr) 2nd team
Girls Basketball: Jewel Moy (Jr.) 1st team and League MVP, Kailey Quintero (Jr.) 1st team, Elissa Otwell (Sr.) 1st team, Chloe Evans (Fr.) 1st team, Andrea Garcia (Sr.) 1st team
Baseball: Mario Sierra (Sr.) 2nd team, Michael Warnock (Sr.) 2nd team
 Softball: Andrea Garcia (Sr.) 2nd team, Elissa Otwell (Sr.) 2nd team, Kimberly Luna (Jr.) 2nd team, Chloe Evans (Fr.) 2nd team.