Two MVUSD programs honored with Models of Excellence Awards

By: Ariel Dun

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

MVUSD

Photo Description:

The ASTERISK program (top): Teacher James Ooten, Administrative Assistant Regina Castellano, Student Clarissa De Leon, Teacher Roseann Reynolds, Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora, Career Development Facilitator Maria Lozano, Board ClerkSusan Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Robert Verdi, Board Member Jesús M. Holguín and County Superintendent Dr. Judy White. Project Moving Forward (bottom): County Superintendent Dr. Judy White, Teacher Debra Johnson, Professional Development Specialist Sonia Quinn, Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora, Project Moving Forward Director Dr. Linda Navarrette, Seneca Principal Emilio Gallegos, Board Clerk Susan Smith and Board Member Jesús M. Holguín.

Moreno Valley Unified is proud to have received two Riverside County Office of Education Models of Academic Excellence Awards, presented Tuesday. The most awards that any district was eligible for is three. The awards were presented at a luncheon during the Riverside County Education Summit, the awards recognized programs that have been successful in improving student academic achievement. The district’s Accelerating Success Through Employment, Responsibility, Inspiration, Skills and Knowledge (ASTERISK) internship program, which provides approximately 150 students with valuable work experience each summer was recognized, as well as Project Moving Forward at Seneca Elementary School. Seneca Elementary School is a Project Moving Forward demonstration school, which has shown significant gains in language and literacy. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant in partnership with the University of California Riverside. “Having programs recognized by the county as Models of Excellence is a strong acknowledgment that our district is a leader in the county in academics. We are so proud of the programs providing resources and proven results to our students,” said Board President Cleveland Johnson. Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora, along with team members from each program, also gave presentations during the Education Summit to share the successes with educational leaders from around the county.