KENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NAMED AS 2003 GOVERNOR'S STERLING AWARD RECIPIENT


May 9, 2003


For increasing student achievement and developing and maintaining exceptional service practices, Kendale Elementary School will receive the Governor's Florida Sterling Award in a ceremony at the Orlando World Center Marriott on May 30. The school is one of only four organizations within the state to receive the honor.

"This award represents an achievement that schools across Florida can be proud to emulate," said Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Merrett R. Stierheim. "It shows that our schools can not only achieve, but be models of excellence for others to follow."

Kendale Elementary School serves 619 pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students. To garner additional support for school technology and science programs, Kendale established key partnerships with the school's PTA and Educational Excellence School Advisory Council and with local businesses. The school developed three key performance areas in alignment with school district and state plans, including student achievement, dedicated high performing workforce and effective operational systems. In the past four years, Kendale has improved from a school performance grade of "C" to an "A."

The award recognizes organizations and businesses in Florida that have achieved performance excellence within their management and operations. Each winner underwent a series of in-depth assessments and evaluations by Sterling examiners that analyzed productivity and organizational performance. Joining Kendale Elementary are the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the City of Coral Springs, and Boeing Special Operations Forces Aerospace Support Center in Ft. Walton.

"The Governor's Sterling Award is the highest honor an organization can receive for performance excellence," said Governor Bush. "During these challenging times, it is refreshing to hear organizations from four very different sectors of our great state are taking strides to work toward a common goal of ensuring Florida maintains a competitive edge."

Established in 1992, the Florida Sterling Council is a public/private not-for-profit corporation supported by the Executive Office of the Governor. For more information on the award winners or the Florida Sterling Council, contact Dione Geiger at 850-922-5316 or visit the website at [www.floridasterling.com]. Kendale Principal Kristine O. Dittmar can be contacted at 305-274-2735.

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03-MV/132/JJS

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