Our office offers the New Haven Teacher's Appreciation award as a way to thank New Haven Unified School District teachers for the wonderful work they do for our community and our children. This year, we split our nominations into parent and student categories with the prompt, "Tell us about a teacher who has gone above and beyond." The winning student nomination was a three page report, single spaced, title page w color graphics, and bound in a presentation folder. Clearly this student was both passionate and inspired by an amazing teacher. I was honored to present a plaque and check for $1000 to Mrs. Rainbow Lobo from Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School. Congratulations!

For the last several years, we've offered an annual New Haven Teacher's Appreciation award as a way of thanking our teachers for their invaluable work with our children. Because we received so many heartfelt nominations, my mother, Judy Chong, decided to match our award in my dad's memory. We were honored to present Mrs. Sarita Chawla from Delaine Eastin Elementary with the Leonard S. Chong Memorial Teacher Appreciation award. Besides the plaque presented by the nominating parent, Mrs. Chan, Mrs. Chawla received a check for $1000. Congratulations!