Agenda Item
2.05 Presentation of Magna Award
Meeting:04/16/2009 Regular Board Meeting 7 p.m.
Category:2. PRESENTATIONS - RECOGNITIONS
Agenda Type:Information
Agenda Item Content
Background Information
The Lee's Summit R-7 School District has been selected as a first-place winner in the American School Board Journal’s 15th annual Magna Awards program.

The district was recognized in the 5,000 to 20,000 enrollment category for its “21st Century Learning” program. Students learn 21st Century skills through several integrated initiatives: the International Baccalaureate high school program; foreign language course offerings in middle and high school, including Spanish, French, German and Chinese; a modern global issues course that is a graduation requirement; an international travel exchange program with Japan, China, France, Italy, Mexico, and Germany; and the Summit International Studies Academy, which simulates a business environment. The district was the first public school district in Missouri to offer Chinese, which is currently taught by two visiting teachers.
Lee’s Summit R-7 is a two-time Magna Award winner, also earning top honors in 2008 for Great Beginnings Early Education Center.

The Magna Awards recognize districts across the country for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools. This year’s three grand-prize, 15 first-place, and 15 honorable-mention winners were selected based on three enrollment categories: less than 5,000 students, 5,000 to 20,000, and 20,000 and above.

“As schools face unprecedented challenges in today’s difficult economy, the Magna Awards are an opportunity to showcase innovation and the bold steps taken by districts every day,” said Marilee Rist, ASBJ’s publisher and associate executive director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA). “This year’s entries reflect the hard work of school boards, superintendents, and staff who strive to meet changing community needs in creative and innovative ways.”

Lorna Donatone, president of Sodexo School Services, said, "Sodexo is proud to support the Magna Awards because they celebrate partnerships that encourage fresh approaches to education. This year's winners inspire others by showing us how school boards and communities can innovate and persevere to advance student learning."

American School Board Journal initiated the Magna Awards in 1995 to recognize school boards for taking bold and innovative steps to improve their educational programs. An independent panel of school board members, administrators, and other educators selected winners from more than 340 submissions. This year’s applicants came from more than 45 states; districts in 22 states were winners or honorable mention recipients.

SOT: Dr. David McGehee
Time: 5 mins.