Students and teachers at North Sashabaw Elementary School did not know why they had been summoned for a special assembly on Jan. 20.
The surprise guest was Superintendent Al Roberts, who announced that the Michigan Department of Education had named North Sashabaw one of 32 Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools for 2005
The annual awards (alternating between elementary and secondary schools) are given to schools which apply for and meet criteria based on academic achievement, accreditation, school organization and culture, student focus and support, curriculum, quality teaching, and family and community partnerships with the school.
‘I am so proud of you, boys and girls, and so proud of our teachers and our aides and all the people who work in our school,? Roberts said after the cheers and applause died down. ‘One of the things that makes this a Blue Ribbon School in my mind is that this is a real school family.?
According to a press release from the Michigan Board of Education, a series of peer review committees make a preliminary selection of schools they believe warrant a site verification visit. The review committees and site visit teams are composed of teachers and administrators from previously recognized Blue Ribbon Schools.
Geri Moore, executive director of pre-K and elementary education for Clarkston Community Schools, said the work by school staff with parents was especially noted by the committee.
‘It’s a great staff. So many of the teachers have worked so hard for the boys and girls here, and have worked with the parents in really developing community,? Moore said during the assembly. ‘It is that community and caring about all the boys and girls here and their families that really made you stand out.?
As was the case with Clarkston High School and Clarkston Middle School last year, state education officials will make the formal presentation at a yet-to-be-scheduled date.
‘We’ll be having some really fun parties and some recognition when the state comes here,? Moore said.
Principal Debbie Latozas was out of town at the time of the announcement, but upon returning expressed excitement at the news.
‘We were thrilled,? she said. ‘We’ve been working so hard to make this a good school. This is an affirmation of our hard work.?
The ‘family? approach cited by other officials did not come by accident, Latozas said. School staff worked closely with the student council and the parent-teacher organization to organize at least one ‘family? activity each month.
‘The Blue Ribbon program’s selection committee chose these schools as meeting some very tough criteria in delivering quality education to their students,? said Michigan Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. ‘All these schools, their teachers, students, parents and communities should be very proud of their accomplishment.?
Established in 1982, the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Program recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence and significant academic improvement over five years.
The Michigan Blue Ribbon program is far more rigorous and comprehensive than the National Blue Ribbon, Straus noted, as the National Blue Ribbon is awarded on the basis of academic achievement scores alone.
‘The State Board and our Blue Ribbon committee of educators recognize and reinforce the belief that schools are more than a single test on a single day,? Straus said. ‘A Michigan Blue Ribbon school must reflect and exhibit the many facets of a quality educational environment.?
In addition, the State Board of Education stipulates that awarded schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law; have a Michigan Education YES! School Report Card grade of A or B; and not have a Native American-based school mascot, nickname or logo.