Rick Oser
Golden Avenue Elementary
Golden Avenue Elementary
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GOLD MEDALIST Principal Rick Oser has positively transformed Golden Avenue Elementary (GAE), an urban school located in Lemon Grove, in his four years of leadership by emphasizing the importance of childhood wellness. In 2007 Mr. Oser developed a “Comprehensive Wellness Program” (CWP) that addresses four interconnected facets including child, family, staff, and environmental wellness. The CWP was founded on a set of alarming statistics including: • 17% of GAE students and 32% of adult family members are uninsured • 58% of Lemon Grove second and third grade boys are either obese or overweight • 46% of GAE 5th graders report never feeling safe or seldom feeling safe outside of school The basis of Mr. Oser’s CWP model is to influence student wellness by addressing all facets that impact a child’s well-being and consequent learning. Specifically, the child wellness component focuses on physical and emotional wellness, healthy lifestyles, and access to healthcare. Limited school funding has not deterred Mr. Oser from actualizing this goal; rather, he has used creativity and perseverance to write grants to foundations, businesses, and government agencies. The results of his determination has been the implementation of a daily PE program with the use of the SPARK program promoting Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, daily before school jogging club, implementation of the School Community Violence Prevention grant and implementation of a school wellness policy. In addition, financial donations have provided for a wellness teacher and a part-time physical education teacher that were initiated in Spring 2008 and will continue into the 2009-2010 school year. Prospective private foundations have also expressed interests in funding the CWP’s part-time doctor and access to health care components. In addition to having an impact on student wellness and fitness, Mr. Oser’s leadership has provided remarkable academic growth. Specifically, in four years Golden Avenue has grown from 21% proficient to 48% proficient on the STAR Language Arts test, 38% to 52% proficient on the STAR Math, and 17% to 51% on the STAR Science test proving that focusing on the whole child can yield significant academic growth. Mr. Oser is a powerful Principal at GAE. His commitment and passion for a healthy generation of children is what makes him the perfect candidate for the Principal of the Year. |
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