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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
December 9, 2023
LA MIRADA, Calif. – Eastwood Elementary School has been awarded a Golden Bell Award from the California School Board Association (CSBA), a prestigious honor that celebrates outstanding education programs and governance practices. This marks the seventh consecutive year that a District school or program has achieved a Golden Bell award.
Eastwood is one of 60 recipients of California’s leading educational honor, having been recognized for its innovative and groundbreaking EastwoodTV (eTV) platform. Principal Darryll Ramsey, Jr., along with Eastwood staff and the Norwalk-La Mirada Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. John Lopez, formally accepted the award as part of CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show held from Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in San Francisco.
“It is a complete honor to be awarded the Golden Bell Award for the work we have accomplished at Eastwood,” said Ramsey. “The students have worked hard building an innovative program and cultivating a culture of creativity and connectiveness. I am overjoyed that their hard work is being recognized in such a prestigious way. To say I’m proud is an understatement.”
Conceptualized during the pandemic, eTV strengthened the school-home connection during isolation by becoming the digital storytelling and broadcasting hub of the school. Since then, eTV has evolved into a student-led program focusing on multimedia storytelling, broadcasting, video editing, script writing, production, and design. Through student-led content, eTV provides social-emotional learning resources, celebrates student and staff accomplishments, highlights pertinent information, and serves as a catalyst of innovation for partnering schools throughout the district.
“Congratulations to Principal Ramsey and the Eastwood community on joining the esteemed list of Golden Bell winners,” said Dr. Lopez. “Their eTV platform is a testament to the hard work and dedication of students and teachers to build a truly amazing program that cultivates a culture of innovation and connects their community.”
Eastwood’s Golden Bell extends a run of recognitions dating back to 2017. District programs were honored in 2017-2019 (Norwalk Education Alliance, Learning Initiative, Blended Learning Summit), followed by D.D. Johnston Elementary in 2020 (ExCel Intervention), Hutchinson Middle School in 2021 (STEM Magnet Program), and Norwalk High School in 2022 (Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) School Counseling & Support Services.
About the CSBA Golden Bell Awards
Now it’s in 44th year, the CSBA Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs. A judging panel composed of experts from school districts and county offices of education across the state reviewed written entries and made initial recommendations. On-site validators then reviewed the recommendations and assessed the programs in action. This year’s Golden Bell winners demonstrated that they are addressing student needs through areas such as equity and access, school climate and safety, technology, and wellness.