Randi Lieber, who taught at Castlebay Lane Charter Elementary for 25 years, was the recipient of the Unforgettable Educator award from the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce at their annual dinner on April 18 at the Odyssey Restaurant. Upon news of Mrs. Lieber’s upcoming retirement, her room mom and parent fan base launched an enthusiastic campaign to nominate her for the award, complete with over 80 nominations and a video. Mrs. Lieber was overwhelmed when she received the news in front of her class, parents, and family.

“It's not just Mrs Liber's teaching style and the fact that she incorporates outside materials in her curriculum that make her stand out as an exceptional teacher; it’s the caring and interest she shows in the students that make her unforgettable. The things Mrs Lieber does that students will remember for a lifetime are the eggs they hatch into chicks and ducks via an incubator in the class, going to a Dodgers game as a class and all the soccer/baseball games, gymnastics meets, piano recitals, etc. she has personally attended,” shared room mom, Renee Missakian.

Principal Miss Littlejohn notes, "There is never a wasted moment in Mrs. Lieber's classroom...not only are her students covering all the curriculum, but also needlepointing, hatching eggs, celebrating each others' cultures, and practicing how to bat a ball! You can feel the children's enthusiasm for learning every time you walk through her door."

Mrs. Lieber is loved by students and parents alike for all the special attention she gives her second grade class and the dimension she adds to her teaching, including giving each student a t-shirt signed by their fellow students for their birthday. One student shared that Mrs. Lieber explains math slowly and carefully so that everyone could understand. Students get special art projects, learn the bones of the body and sing the names of the states. Parents are invited to help and participate in leading projects.

Castlebay is not merely resting on Mrs. Lieber’s laurels. This year they have added Math Night, when about 150 students came to learn math games. At Literacy Night students get to hear teachers read stories aloud. At the upcoming Science Night, student will stargaze through telescopes and conduct experiments.

The school is in the process of raising money for a Science Lab where each class will have space to conduct hands on experiments, without having to clear space in their regular classrooms. The science lab will be outfitted with tables, stools, and demonstration table and scientific equipment such as microscopes and casts of bones. They are well on their way towards launching the lab next year.

Construction will soon start on the new multipurpose room. Bungalows will be removed to clear the way for construction in June. The YMCA program bungalow will be replaced with a larger bungalow placed further south and will be made ADA compliant. No trees will be removed with the shift of the YMCA bungalow.

The Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council has supported Castlebay over the years with equipment including a recent purchase of an emergency sound system.

Castlebay is current accepting applications for students in the attendance boundaries. Students outside of the attendance boundaries may participate in a lottery by grade level on May 31. Current plans call for four kindergarten classes and one transitional kinder class.

The Porter Ranch Community School also won awards at the Unforgettable Educator Ceremony. Read about them.