3 From Local Schools to Receive APPLE Award

Volunteers and employees from three Valley elementary schools are among 10 people being honored Thursday by Los Angeles Unified School District board member Valerie Fields.

Sheri Osborne from Topeka Drive Elementary School in Northridge, Vivie Ochoa from Hart Street Elementary School in Canoga Park and Ellen R. Fanale from Beckford Avenue Elementary School in Northridge will receive the 1998-99 LAUSD District 4 APPLE Award. That stands for Appreciation for People who Promote Learning Excellence.

Osborne is being recognized for the countless hours she has spent raising money for air-conditioning, 21 new computers and field trips for every class at Topeka Drive Elementary.

She also started the school’s booster club and developed a school traffic plan. Her husband, singer Jeffrey Osborne, has even performed at school fund-raisers.

“She’s become an institution here,” said Principal Suzanne Hofmann. “She does a lot of taking charge, but it’s all for the good of the students. She’s really a dynamo lady.”

During her 25 years at Hart Street Elementary, Ochoa has been active in the PTA and currently works as an education resource aide.

She encourages parents of absent children to make an extra effort in getting them to school, said Principal Dorothy Padilla.

Ochoa also has helped organize the school’s holiday programs and frequently translates for teachers when Spanish-speaking parents have questions.

At Beckford Avenue Elementary School, Fanale has been busy computerizing and reorganizing the library. She won a $5,000 grant to buy new books, formed a Library Club that teaches children library skills and she has developed tutorial programs to help students improve their academic skills, said Principal Patricia Cox.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Skirball Cultural Center and Museum with actor Gregory Peck serving as master of ceremonies.