Association of California School Administrators’ Summer Matters Awards
Dr. Cesar Morales, Superintendent of the Oxnard School District. Courtesy photo.
OXNARD — Dr. Cesar Morales, Superintendent of the Oxnard School District, is one of three school superintendents honored with the Summer Matters Superhero Award for his efforts to support and expand summer learning programs for youth in his district.
The Association of California State Administrators (ACSA) awarded the recognition during the Superintendent’s Symposium held at the Monterey Convention Center in Monterey, Calif. on January 25, 2018.
“I am very proud to receive this recognition,” Morales said. “This represents so much teamwork with our Educational Services Department leaders and continuous support of our school board to provide the highest quality summer programs for our students.”
The Summer Matters Superhero Award was established in 2013 by the Summer Matters campaign that advocates for access to high quality summer learning opportunities for students in California. The award highlights efforts by superintendents to provide quality programs that help children living in low-resource communities avoid the devastating effects of summer learning loss. Awardees are nominated by summer learning stakeholders from throughout the state, and selected by Summer Matters.
Morales set aside nearly $1 million to operate a five-week summer learning program to serve students in need. Furthermore, he hired a dedicated coordinator whose job is to develop expanded learning opportunities for youth. Morales also secured a summer feeding program that operated at several Writing and Science Camp locations.
“Summer is a time for kids to learn new things, expand their horizons, and discover new talents, skills, and relationships. It’s a time for learning to be fun,” said Jennifer Peck, Co-chair of the Summer Matters campaign and President and CEO of the Partnership for Children and Youth, a nonprofit that works to ensure all children have the learning, health, and social supports they need to succeed in school and life. “School district leaders have the power to make this possible for kids, and we must recognize those who step up to make sure every child has a great summer and bright future,” added Peck.