Bearing gifts while wearing beaming smiles, a number of Lucerne Valley Elementary School staff members gathered around Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s five board of trustees members and Superintendent Peter Livingston to personally thank them for giving the green light for a summertime training trip to the Ron Clark Academy’s training center in Atlanta, Georgia.
“My staff has a lot to say about how awesome that trip was,” said Principal Joanna Mora at the recently monthly Board of Trustees meeting.
Teacher Stephanie Klinger was one of the teachers — and a part of that first core group — who shared her enthusiasm.
“We’re extremely grateful for the opportunity that you gave us and the belief that you have in our campus,” she said. “It shows the investment and the belief that you have in us. I’ve seen positive change already on the campus culture.”
School counselor Candice Carter and several others also shared words of appreciation.
They also talked about funny things that happened during the trip and on the plane with 32 educators from Lucerne Valley. They had to coach the principal on how to turn on airplane mode, for one.
The elementary school began implementing the RCA House System at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year after a handful of educators attended a training expedition that June. Under the system, the school “sorted” students, teachers and others to one of four “houses” — Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi, and Reveur. Each house has its own unique colors, symbols, chants, and customs, which help to create a vibrant community within the school. The House system was inspired by UK boarding schools — and later made better known through the “Harry Potter” books and movies.
LVES educators say the proof is clear — RCA system has fostered a sense of unity, enthusiasm and school pride among students. That has translated into an atmosphere for success for everyone on campus.
