PYLUSD Recognized with Project GLAD® Excellence and Legacy Award

On Thursday, April 23, the Orange County Department of Education recognized the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District with the Project GLAD® Excellence and Legacy Award during the Project GLAD® Spring Institute held in Costa Mesa. This distinguished honor acknowledges school systems that demonstrate a sustained and systemic commitment to high-quality instructional practices, with a particular emphasis on supporting multilingual learners through integrated language and content instruction.

The Project GLAD® Excellence and Legacy Award extends beyond recognition of strong implementation; it reflects a long-term commitment to instructional excellence, leadership coherence, and the development of systems that ensure sustainability across time. Recipients are selected based on their ability to embed research-based practices into the fabric of their educational systems, ensuring that effective instruction persists beyond individual classrooms, educators, or initiatives.

The district’s efforts align closely with the principles outlined in the California English Learner Roadmap. In particular, Principle Two emphasizes the importance of intellectually rich and rigorous learning environments in which language development is fully integrated with academic content, ensuring accessibility for all learners. Principle Three underscores the critical role of systems and leadership in creating the conditions necessary for student success, including intentional program design, strategic resource allocation, and capacity-building across the organization.

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District was recognized for exemplifying these principles in action. The district has demonstrated a consistent and focused effort to ensure that Project GLAD® is not merely implemented, but deeply embedded across multiple dimensions of its educational system. This includes integration within classroom instruction, ongoing professional learning opportunities, and leadership development structures that support coherence and sustainability.

As part of the recognition, attendees were invited to view a video presentation highlighting the district’s journey, impact, and ongoing commitment to Project GLAD® implementation. The presentation featured panelists of district educators and leaders, including Alejandra Álvarez-Valdovinos, Stella Campos, Blanca Gibbons, Olivia Lytton, and Dr. Janice Weber.

Additionally, Dr. Candace Perez, Deputy Superintendent, Academic Leadership Team of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, accepted the award on behalf of the district.

This honor reflects the district’s ongoing dedication to fostering equitable, high-quality educational experiences and its commitment to building systems that support the success of all students.