Two Springs schools singled out for national recognition
Two Colorado Springs schools are among 314 nationally to be named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Soaring Eagles Elementary School, in Harrison School District 2, and Chipeta Elementary School, in Colorado Springs School District 11, are among five Colorado schools that will be honored at a ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.
The award recognized public and private elementary and middle schools that have either placed in the top 10 percent on state assessments or have made dramatic gains in state assessment tests, thus closing the learning gaps among minority and disadvantaged students.
Chipeta was cited in the first category, Soaring Eagles in the second.
At Soaring Eagles, the percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch grew from 37 percent to 49 percent in the past five years. In the same period, the average test scores increased 22 percent in writing, 11 percent in reading and 10 percent in math. Among African-American and Hispanic students, scores rose 10 percent in reading, 21 percent in writing and 7 percent in math.
Chipeta principal Lori Butler said that the school went from 80th in the state in 2003 to eighth last year in CSAP scores for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. The state recognized the school last year for having more than 90 percent of students scoring proficient or above.
Butler attributed Chipeta’s success, in part, to hard work by its teachers, of which 85 percent have master’s degrees.
"Everyone has been involved in this award. It means the teachers, the parent involvement. It means children come to school ready to learn," said Butler.
Two people from each school, the principal and a teacher, are invited to a ceremony in Washington, DC, on November 3 where each school will receive a plaque and a flag signifying its Blue Ribbon status.
In all, 314 schools nationwide have achieved this status.
Soaring Eagle principal Kelli Trausch gave a nod to collaboration among the school’s staff.
“We hold each other accountable for the success of our students,” she said.
“We work together, share ideas and learn from each other.”
The other Colorado public school winners were High Peaks Elementary School in Boulder, and Morton and Haaff elementary schools, both in Pueblo.
We had a great time at the ceremony where we were able to see a slideshow of our Principal, Lori Butler, in Washington D.C. as she accepted the award for our school. We also got to sing our new blue ribbon school song and do our new chant. The kids, teachers and staff all wore special shirts they were given and then they made a living blue ribon outside in front of the school. Way to go Chipeta! We are so proud to attend such a wonderfully staffed, and parent supported school.
No comments:
Post a Comment