Leo Croce Elementary School Celebrates 20 Years

Leo Croce Elementary School Celebrates 20 Years

Leo R. Croce Elementary School celebrates a milestone as it turns 20 this month. Croce School has proudly provided educational excellence to the community of Livermore since 1991. The school was named after former Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Superintendent (1973-1989), Leo R. Croce, who attended the event.

Mr. Croce graduated from the University of California at Berkeley (UCB) in 1947. He also received his teaching and administrative credentials and his master’s degree from UCB. Mr. Croce began his teaching career in the Oakland (California) Unified School district in July, 1948. During his 24 years in that district he served as teacher, counselor, coach, vice-principal, principal and as an Area Superintendent. On July 1, 1973, Mr. Croce was appointed Superintendent of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, where he served for 16 years. This was the longest tenure of any superintendent in the history of the school district. Mr. Croce retired on June 30, 1989 marking 40 years in public education. In appreciation of the honor of dedicating the school in his name, Mr. Croce and his family established a perpetual scholarship fund. This fund awards a college scholarship each year to an outstanding student who attended Croce School and graduated from a Livermore School District high school.

As part of the celebration, Victoria Lee, former Croce student and the first recipient of the Leo R. Croce School Scholarship spoke about her memories of when the school was first built.  She also spoke about her love of reading and how that helped her to become a math teacher at CMS.

The celebration served a dual purpose. While celebrating 20 years of service, Croce also kicked off its commitment to reading. The celebration began on Friday, October 14 at 8:45 a.m. on the Croce playground with a dance performance to a song titled Gotta Keep Reading. The celebration ended with small cakes for the students (donated at cost by Nothing Bundt Cakes). The schools’ commitment to reading will continue with their PTA sponsored Scholastic Book Fair October 17-21.

Pictured from l-r: Shari Johnston, principal; Victoria Lee, Former Croce Student; Leo R. Croce, former LVJUSD Superintendent; Kelly Bowers, Superintendent; and Chuck Rogge, President of the LVJUSD Board and Croce parent.