Tucked in a quiet residential housing tract, Danbrook Elementary School, a member of the Centralia School District, which includes kids from Buena Park and Anaheim, received a “GreatSchools Rating” of 7 out of 10, based on its performance on state standardized tests.
In fact, the school’s Principal Erasmo Garcia, who has been with the school for three years, promised if students would increase their test scores by 40 points, he would get a “Mohawk” hair cut.
Tucked in a quiet residential housing tract, Danbrook Elementary School, a member of the Centralia School District, which includes kids from Buena Park and Anaheim, received a “GreatSchools Rating” of 7 out of 10, based on its performance on state standardized tests.
In fact, the school’s Principal Erasmo Garcia, who has been with the school for three years, promised if students would increase their test scores by 40 points, he would get a “Mohawk” hair cut.
The students not only obliged his request but raised the test scores by and incredible 81 points, making Danbrook number one in Orange County for most improved.
And so it was, that on Halloween day, the school held an assembly on the playground, complete with Halloween costumes where Garcia, who was dressed as a Rock Star, sat center stage as the three highest CST scoring students Sarah, 11; Bryce, 9 and Pedro, 10, got to hold the hair clippers in their hand and shave off some of the side hair, along with members from the Centralia School District office.
The “final” cuts were performed by PTA President Peggy Kruse, who also added “purple” hair coloring to the top of the Mohawk as students cheered loudly, lead by the school’s cheer team leaders, as Garcia said, “I need some encouragement here…”
That day the school held its fifth annual Jack-o-lantern Show, created by the students, who carved their pumpkins at home and brought them to school to display on the stage in the auditorium, where a battery-operated candle is placed in each one on the stage.
Two of the larger pumpkins had the school emblem carved in them.
Last year, there were 30 carved pumpkins; this year there were 94 that glowed as the lights were turned out and eerie Halloween music was played.
Students were allowed to clap or say ooh and aah, but no screaming was allowed in the four different assemblies held for grades 5th and 6th, 3rd and 4th, 1st and 2nd, and Kindergarten.
Danbrook, a Title I School, has a student population of 720, of which 75 percent are Hispanic.
The principal is credited with changing the school because, “He speaks the student’s language.”
Kruse said as a PTA, they try to incorporate families into the school activities and to make them feel welcome.
The school has a GRIP or “Gang Retention Intervention Program,” where parents greet every student each morning as they enter the school grounds.
For Danbrook Elementary School information, call 714-228-3230
For Centralia School District information, call 714-000-0000.
