Districts of Distinction List Includes DSUSD

TRUMBULL, CONN.— Desert Sands Unified School District has been identified as one of 34 school districts on the coveted list of “Districts of Distinction.”

District Administration magazine in November 2014 established Districts of Distinction to recognize school districts that lead the way with new ideas that solve challenges. Honorees are selected based on quantifiable results and the replicability of their initiatives. The July 2019 Districts of Distinction honorees were selected by the magazine’s editors from numerous nominations.

Desert Sands Unified School District is being recognized for its Goldfish Bowl initiative, through which students and staff may pitch their ideas for innovations in education to a team of local entrepreneurs and celebrities. Classroom and school projects are eligible for up to $4,000 to support implementation.

“We thank District Administration magazine for recognizing Desert Sands Unified School District’s innovative spirit on a national stage. The Goldfish Bowl serves as a district-wide innovations hub and recognizes the importance of community engagement, and student and staff voice in delivering better outcomes for the educational community, Superintendent Scott Bailey said in a prepared statement.

The 34 school systems from 19 states honored in this round have launched programs that range from partnering with outside organizations for career training to improving literacy to using music to support at-risk students and English language learners.

 

“These districts have developed innovative programs to support students in their education and well beyond the classroom,” says JD Solomon, editorial director of District Administration magazine. “We hope our readers are inspired by the efforts of these honorees to create successful initiatives in their own districts.”

To view a full list of the 2019 honorees, and to apply for the 2020 round of the Districts of Distinction program, click here. 

Photo caption: A rap video and branded T-shirts helped teachers and students from Harry S. Truman Elementary School to convince the goldfish that their project was worth funding.

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