Patty Stierles daughter Megan Wilson left Escalona two years ago but kept tabs on the agreement, “She is always asking me what the score for the school is, and asked me if she could get out of school if Mrs. Lytle kisses the pig. I said absolutely.”

Benton Middle School principal Michelle Green, left, and La Pluma Elementary principal Terry Pace, right, dropped by for support. Photo Tony Aiello

Kyle Gerdetz graduated from Escalona last year and also was keeping track even though he had left the school, “We were really excited after the tests last year. We were really confident we were going to get the 900.”

Some of the other alumni to relish in the fruits of their hard work included Jessica Olson, Galaxy Ruiz, Mikaylah Luces, Isabel Alvarez, and Toby Hager.

Norwalk-La Mirada School Board members Karen Morrison and Chris Pflanzer attended the event, and Benton Middle School Principal Michelle Green and La Pluma Principal Terry Pace showed up in support, “This is their crowning moment. They should be so proud,” said Pace.

We sat down with Lytle, who has been the principal at Escalona since 2004, for a couple of moment’s right before the big smooch.

She told us about the rarity of the 900 API score and how she used it as a motivational tool, “At that time (three years ago) there wasn’t a school in our district that had made 900 yet. So, I told the teachers, I think we could do this, and I threw out the challenge to them. They took it out to the kids, and it spread, and they accepted the challenge.”

She elaborated how the concept played out, “This process has really brought all of the students together.”

She explained to us that the students who are tested at elementary schools are grades two through five. So, this last spring in preparation for the 2011 testing she said, “It was really a collaborative effort at the urging amongst the staff. We thought, well, what can we do at all grade levels to encourage the kids before the testing?”

“So, we had all students, including our kindergartners and first graders, participate in a spirit assembly on a Friday to cheer on the students who were taking the test. We kind of followed this idea of-never give up, encourage others, and do your best. If you think about those three things, you will be successful.”

“And the success isn’t really in that number (900), the success is that the children are achieving academically. They have set a goal and they have reached a goal, and there is great power in believing in yourself and reaching a goal. They can take this-setting goals-into other parts of their life”, she said.

“The kissing of the pig is just a symbol to let them know we are proud of them and we knew that they could do it.”

Lytle also noted, “The parents really play a vital part of this school. This would not be possible; this school would not be what it is, without the great partnership we have with the parents in this community.”