March 29, 2012

        State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that 387 exemplary California public elementary schools were named 2012 California Distinguished Schools for their innovative education programs that encourage students to learn and help close the achievement gap.

            “The schools we are recognizing today demonstrate the incredible commitment of California’s teachers, administrators, and school employees to provide a world-class education to every student, in spite of the financial hardships facing our state and our schools,” Torlakson said. “Their dedication is inspiring, and I applaud and admire their passion and persistence.”

MESA NEWS!

The Natomas High School Mock Trial team participated in 4 Rounds of competition from February 16 to February 29. The team of 15 students took on roles of attorneys, witnesses, clerk and bailiff, and argued both prosecution and defense sides of a simulated criminal trial in which the defendant was accused of second-degree murder.

On Monday, March 5, three Natomas High students were recognized at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Mock Trial/Moot Court Awards Ceremony. Aidan Freeman Butalla was selected by the scoring judges as Outstanding Clerk, and Ojaswi Adhikari was selected by the scoring judges as Outstanding Attorney and as Natomas High Team MVP.

In addition, Natomas High’s Courtroom Artist, Brina Sylve, won the Sacramento County Courtroom Artist competition. She will now move on to compete in the California Mock Trial State Finals Courtroom Art Contest March 23-25, 2012. The State Finals will take place at the Sacramento County Courthouse. (Attachments are the two drawings done by Brina for the Sacramento County Artist Competition)

Here is a link to the website of the organization that runs the California Mock Trial program. On the site, there is an overview of the program.

http://www.crf-usa.org/mock-trial-program/mock-trial-program.html