GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community Science Workshop was honored with the “Excellence in Education” award by the Monterey County School Boards Association (MCSBA) during its annual dinner and organizational meeting March 30 at Hartnell Community College in Salinas.
Greenfield Community Science Workshop was selected from a list of 27 nominees, established by Monterey County school districts, to be this year’s “Excellence in Education” award winner for having a transformative and significant impact on students’ life.
“The MCSBA was so impressed with the efforts of the Greenfield Community Science Workshop to build a foundation for scientific literacy and intellectual engagement with students and provide them with inspirational spaces, hands-on activities and fascinating exhibits,” said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss. “Our school leaders are very thankful for their after-school and mobile science programs, and the interactive field trips that are helping to ensure our children have opportunities to develop a strong interest in science that will endure throughout their lifetime.”
School governance team members from throughout Monterey County attended the dinner event, with Greenfield Community Science Workshop Director José Sanchez and his staff accepting the award.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the Monterey County School Boards Association. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers and community partners, and it motivates us to continue our efforts to create opportunities for all children in South Monterey County to explore, discover and be inspired by the wonders of science,” Sanchez said. “We are proud to be working with a community that values science literacy and who recognizes and embraces new and innovative ways to learn and do science. This award and the work we are doing together is proof of our shared vision of a world where all children have the opportunity to realize their full potential.”
Criteria for the Excellence in Education Award include: a program that is available and accessible to students countywide; has a transformative and significant impact on students’ quality of life; and demonstrates a commitment to exceeding expectations in pursuit of addressing significant and unmet student needs.
Greenfield Community Science Workshop, a program of the City of Greenfield, supports and complements science teaching at local schools by providing a free public space full of tools, materials and hands-on exhibits. Staff also use the Science Mobile to take the wonders of the Workshop to schools’ after-school programs as well as nearby community spaces.
“I’m proud to be part of a City government that is making a positive impact in the lives of children, not just in our community, but throughout the entire county,” Sanchez said. “Our work has not gone unnoticed, and this award is a reflection of our dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners who have all contributed to our success.”
In addition, the Workshop hosts Bike Repair Workshops throughout the county, including in Greenfield, San Lucas and most recently in San Ardo, where staff helped youth and adults repair more than 60 bikes on March 25. Free helmets were also distributed to those in need during the event.
“We are extremely grateful for the collaborative efforts of the Greenfield Community Science Workshop, helping to ensure our children are inspired with the wonders of nature and science,” said MCSBA President David Gaboni, who is also board president for South Monterey County Joint Union High School District. “We are proud to recognize them with this year’s Excellence in Education award.”
Monterey County School Boards Association helps governance teams fulfill their school district’s educational missions by providing information and training on governance standards and current issues. MCSBA consists of one representative from each of the 24 school districts, two community colleges and the county board of education.
