The Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council salutes our schools, both of which won awards from the Chatsworth / Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce at the Unforgettable Educator Dinner on April 18, 2013.

PRCS Principal Mary Melvin (center) receives the Principal of the Year Award

At the Porter Ranch Community School, Mary Melvin is the recipient of the Principal of the Year Award for getting this new school going, a monumental task, which she undertook with a smile on her face. Coordinator Mindy Park shared that Principal Melvin is not your typical principal, but she leads from the heart. She is an empathetic listener. She builds leadership capacity in others to make creative decisions and bring innovative ideas to the school.

LAUSD School Board Vice President Tamar Galatzan announces her endorsement of Eric Garcetti in the PRCS Science Lab

Susanna Chong at PRCS is the recipient of the Science Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Chong collaborates with teachers to develop, prepare for, and complete hands on science lab activities that extend and illustrate the regular curriculum. Students use the standard LAUSD curriculum and Foss science kits. Teachers conduct science lessons in the class and then students head to the science lab, a classroom dedicated to this purpose, to conduct hands on activities that illustrate and reinforce learning. First and second graders are hands on once a week, third graders twice a week and fourth and fifth graders three times a week. Students benefit from having both their regular classroom teacher and Ms. Chong directing their lab learning.

Ms. Chong's enthusiasm makes science a favorite subject among students. This outstanding elementary science program is possible through creative funding: a Care Concepts grant for supplies and parent donations to pay for the teacher. PRCS is celebrating the success of its first year with a Community Celebration and Open House on Tuesday, May 21, 6-8pm. Find out more.

PRCS Parents Celebrate the Unforgettable Educator Awards with Susanna Chong (Front row center in purple)

Recognizing the importance of education in our community, the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council has provided both Porter Ranch schools with continuing support over the years: technical equipment for Castlebay students and teachers, community input on the design for PRCS from inception to ribbon cutting. Read more about Castlebay.