Dixon High Celebrates its Distinguished School Award

Dixon High School teemed with excitement this morning as the school celebrated a well-deserved award during its end-of-the-year rally.

The school celebrated its designation as a California Distinguished School – the only school in Solano County to have earned that honor – amid a festive rally that signified the end of the school year at DHS.

Students poured into DHS’ gymnasium along with community leaders including Dixon Mayor Jack Batchelor, City Manager Nancy Huston, and Police Chief Jon Cox; Dixon Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Brian Dolan and DUSD Board member Gil Piñon were also in attendance.

The celebration also drew in State Sen. Lois Wolk and Erica Rodriguez-Langley, a field representative from Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada’s office as well as Cheryl Lynn de Werff, from Solano County Office of Education and Lisette Estrella-Henderson, also from SCOE.

“I represent one million people,” Wolk told the students. “We are the only high school in my district to be honored as a Distinguished School. I want to tell you that you did it because you have excellent teachers … because you as students are terrific and because you’ve done a wonderful job the last two years.”

“I want to let you know that you are only one of 49 high schools in the state to receive this award to keep up the good work,” De Werff told the students.

Former DHS principal Lisette Estrella-Henderson, the former principal at DHS who currently works for the assistant superintendent of educational services for SCOE, was beaming with pride as she address the students.

“I had the privilege to begin my career here and had the privilege of working 20 years in Dixon schools,” she said. “Dixon High School was selected for this honor because they have made progress in shaving the achievement gap. Dixon High has stepped up to the plate.”

DUSD Assistant Superintendent Brian Dolan, who was also a former DHS Principal, received a thunderous ovation as he took the podium to address the crowd.

“It’s ultimately because of you students,” said Dolan, explaining how the school won the award. “Dixon High School (students) are distinguished students.”

DHS was awarded several proclamations during the rally. Mayor Batchelor bestowed a city proclamation recognizing the school; De Werff presented the school with the Distinguished School plaque and Estrella-Henderson, for County Office of Education Superintendent Jay Speck, bestowed the school with the California Distinguished School flag along with a plaque from Solano County Office of Education.

The rally was bittersweet for Dixon Principal Ivan Chaidez, who will begin working for the Napa Valley Unified School District in July as that district’s director of English Language Learner and Alternative Education Services.

“It’s mixed emotions,” Chaidez said.

Chaidez’ last day at DHS is June 23, and he will begin working in Napa on July 29. Until then Chaidez said he will take a vacation and perhaps do a bit of camping.

After Friday morning’s awards rally. The school commenced its end-of-the-year rally with several student performances and skits. The school will have one more bit of fun as it closes out its weekend, during a lunchtime carnival at DHS.