Winning one for the teachers

A basketball hoop, a soccer net, hundreds of children and a plush anteater filled the courtyard of Victoria Elementary School on Wednesday morning as the Westside school held its annual Teachers Day celebration.

Every spring, Principal Judy Laakso gathered the school community and a number of outside guests to honor the work Victoria’s teachers have done. Victoria has won the Title I Academic Achievement Award, which recognizes high-scoring schools with low-income populations, each of the last two years, and was named a California Distinguished School last year as well.

Laakso served as master of ceremonies while her husband, Ed, organized games for students on the grass. A number of UC Irvine athletes served as volunteers while a friend dressed as their mascot, Peter the Anteater, ambled around the premises.

Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard, Assistant Superintendents Susan Astarita and Elizabeth Novack, and elementary education director Bonnie Swann sat on the sidelines along with Victoria’s teachers. In a brief speech, the principal paid tribute to her staff.

“They definitely go above and beyond,” Laakso said.