Stein students, staff have proof positive

State education commissioner Dwight Jones presents national award to Stein Principal Soccorro Alarcorn. Dr Cindy Stevenson is at right. (Photo courtesy Jeffco Public Schools)

LAKEWOOD – Stein Elementary students Thursday were recognized for their hard work, diversity and academic achievement when the Colorado Department of Education recognized the school as a Title I Distinguished School of the Year.
The honor emphasizes Stein’s effort to close “the achievement gap associated with race and poverty,” the state education agency said.

The school received $10,000 at the National Title I Conference in Washington, D.C. this year, but the school gained a physical symbol of it’s achievement Thursday when Dwight Jones, Colorado Commissioner of Education,m presented the award at the Lakewood school.

 “The award itself is absolutely gorgeous, so we will have to display it for everyone to see because it’s not mine, it’s ours,” said Stein Principal Socorro Alarcon.  “My leadership team will help me decide where to use the award money, but we will probably invest in some technology and library needs.”

Stein is one of only two schools in the state and one of only 100 schools from around the nation recognized with the award this year.