On Friday, October 9, the students and staff of Oleander Elementary School gathered for a school-wide rally to celebrate their success on the 2009 Academic Performance Index (API).  Oleander students jumped 77 points on the index, scoring 808 compared with last year's API of 731.  The improvement puts Oleander squarely above the State's targeted score of 800 for public schools, which is based on state-standardized test scores and that is definitely cause for celebration.

Interim Superintendent Oscar Duenas and Director of Staff Development Miki McCabe Inbody came to the rally to support Oleander's achievement.  They were assistant principal and principal of Oleander back in 2000.  At that time, they remembered, Oleander's performance on the API was less than stellar.  "Some people said that Oleander was the worst school in Fontana - can you believe that?," Mr. Duenas asked.  "Oleander has come a long, long way!"

Fontana High School Principal Sergio Flores also came to the rally and he brought along members of the Fohi Band to get the party started.  As the band played, students cheered and danced with Oleander mascot, Hug-a-Bear.  Teacher Rick Champine kept spirits high as he called out names of 40 students who received the BUG award - Bringing Up the Grade - for moving up a strand on the test.  Students came forward and ran through a tunnel of their teachers to receive high-fives and pats on the back.  Next up were approximately 275 students who scored Proficient or Advanced on the Language Arts and/or Math portions of the test.

Principal Gorge Santiago remembers that back in 1999, Oleander's API was 403 and four years ago, the school was in Year 3 of Program Improvement, which meant that Oleander parents had the right and the choice to send their students to another, better performing school - and many did.  But those days are gone!  "Each year, we have consistently improved and I attribute our success to Oleander's hardworking, dedicated staff and committed students and parents.  There is a strong sense of collaboration at Oleander - staff, students, and parents all work together."

But, as Mr. Santiago said at the rally, Oleander's work is not done. "Can you say 850?" he shouted to the students.  They can!

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