Honors Humanities Seminar is a Golden Bell Awards Finalist
SAN MARINO, CA - The Honors Humanities Seminar program at San Marino High School was recently selected as a finalist for the 2017 Golden Bell Awards.

The California School Boards Association's Golden Bell Awards, in its 38th year, recognizes outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county office of education throughout California.

In 2015, the San Marino Unified School District created the Honors Humanities Seminar course in partnership with The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. The innovative online blended program utilizes cross curricular collaboration and integrates the Huntington's collections into a unique learning experience. The Honors Humanities Seminar is a Golden Bell Awards finalist in the program category “Community Schools through Partnerships and Collaboration.”

English teacher Amanda Hernandez and Visual Arts teacher Michelle Pauline both serve as teachers for the Honors Humanities Seminar course.
Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss stated, "The Golden Bell Award recognizes extraordinary programs while rewarding innovation. This is the most prestigious achievement a program can receive, and I'm so proud of Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Pauline, Assistant Principal Berry, and our students for making this dream a reality".

San Marino High School Assistant Principal Mr. Doug Berry added, “This groundbreaking course is taught by two amazing teachers and strives to provide San Marino High School students a 21st-century learning experience through innovative instructional strategies, while taking advantage of the one of a kind resources at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. The collaboration between these two groups provides students with a college-level class experience which is equivalent to a UC course.”

Board of Education President Mr. C Joseph Chang expressed, “On behalf of the Board of Education, congratulations to Mr. Berry and his team for this remarkable achievement. The Honors Humanities Seminar program is an excellent example of working together with the Huntington Library and the District's successful partnerships with the San Marino community to benefit our students."

The Golden Bell Awards will be presented during the 2017 Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 30, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Marriott Grand Ballroom 1-6, San Diego.

For more information contact: San Marino Unified School District, 1665 West Drive, San Marino, CA 91108, visit www.smusd.us, or call (626) 299-7000.

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The San Marino Unified School District provides safe supportive environments and innovative opportunities for student learning, promotes individual student excellence, invites collaboration and discovery, and challenges students to take responsibility as members of a diverse, global community.

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