Carmel River School

Carmel River School is one of three elementary schools in the Carmel Unified School District in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It is a public school with about 430 students as of 8/06 in kindergarten through fifth grade. As of 2005, Jay Marden is the principal of Carmel River School.

Description

The school is located on the corner of Monte Verde and 15th Street, one half mile west of the historic Carmel Mission. River School students not only live in the Carmel area, but travel to school from as far south as Rocky Point in Big Sur, east into part of Carmel Valley, and north into Pebble Beach.

Volunteer projects

Following a recent parent survey in which parents expressed interest in their children becoming more involved in community service activities, Carmel River School has, between January and May 2005, engaged in four volunteer projects, including one tsunami relief effort which raised more than $5,000. In another project, students restored wetlands around the Carmel River.

On May 24, 2005, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, joined by actor and national spokesman for Take Pride in America Clint Eastwood and Take Pride in America executive director Marti Allbright, announced the Carmel River School in Carmel, California as the first Take Pride in America School. Take Pride in America is a national partnership program that encourages, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. [cite web
url=http://www.doi.gov/news/050525a1.htm
title=Interior Secretary Gale Norton announces designation of first Take Pride in America school
publisher=U.S. Department of Interior
accessdate=2006-08-15 ]

The announcement followed the wetlands restoration project involving 52 Carmel River School students at the Carmel River State Park, along with Secretary Norton, Eastwood, youth from the California Conservation Corps, and other volunteers. [cite web
url=http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22003/consumer.shtml
title=Clint Eastwood & Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton Kick Off Take Pride in America Wetlands Restoration in Carmel, CA
publisher=www.prnewswire.com
accessdate=2006-08-15 ]

Criteria for award

To be designated as a Take Pride in America School, a school must commit to participating in two Take Pride in America volunteer projects each year benefiting public lands. Participation can be by an entire school, a class or even an after-school club. Designated schools are eligible for national awards, as well as other recognition.

Public service announcements were recorded that day that aired on national and local broadcast and cable outlets beginning in the summer of 2005.

ee also

* Pebble Beach, California

References

External links

* [http://carmel.ca.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=2 School website ]
* [http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22003/consumer.shtml Clint Eastwood & Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton Kick Off Take Pride in America Wetlands Restoration in Carmel, CA]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/city/Carmel/CA Top-Rated Carmel Public Schools]
* [http://california.schooltree.org/public/Carmel-River-Elementary-006580.html Carmel River Elementary School]