Four Kansas elementary schools receive National Blue Ribbon recognition
Lincoln Elementary principal Dan Dinkel talks about how much the National Blue Ribbon award means to him and his students. Lincoln Elementary was one of four Kansas elementary schools to receive the National Blue Ribbon honor this year. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Geary County Schools)
Four Kansas elementary schools are being recognized nationally for efforts to improve local learning.
The U.S. Department of Education announced that the schools are in this year's cohort of more than 300 National Blue Ribbon Schools. They are Garfield Elementary in Augusta, Herington Elementary in Herington, Lincoln Elementary in Junction City and Sunflower Elementary in Paola.
Officials at each of the schools hosted all-class assemblies to announce their Blue Ribbon designations. In Paola, Sunflower Elementary principal Staci Wokutch said the atmosphere of the school was "pretty electric" after she told students the news.
"We did a quick assembly at the end of the day, and we kind of built up the story," Wokutch said. "I played a bit of a video that shows the schools being honored. When Sunflower popped up, the kids cheered and clapped."
Wokutch has served as Sunflower Elementary principal for almost 20 years. She said the Paola school district is tight-knit and that now she has the "good problem" of planning an event to further celebrate the school's Blue Ribbon honor.
More than 400 schools nationwide were nominated to be National Blue Ribbon Schools. Only 356 were chosen. Officials from each submit a written application detailing the school's culture and programs, as well as professional development opportunities and community involvement. Schools are recognized for high academic performance among students, and for school leaders' abilities to close achievement gaps.
Garfield Elementary principal Trever Lockamy said his school previously received the Blue Ribbon award in 2006 for the category of closing achievement gaps. This year, he said the Augusta school received the honor for high academic performance.
"I actually student taught in Garfield, and had the honor to come back as principal," Lockamy said. "When I left student teaching, I just knew this was the place I wanted to be, and I got lucky."
He said the students at his school are "pumped" about the Blue Ribbon honor.
"They've always had pride in their school," Lockamy said. "I think that's been evident way before me, and this is my 10th year here."
Dan Dinkel is in his first year as principal of Lincoln Elementary in Junction City. He said the Blue Ribbon designation is an achievement educators strive for because "it's a tremendous recognition."
"The students were unaware, as we told them we were having an awards ceremony," he said. "Then our mascot presented letter cards, and we had kids hold up the cards ... and revealed 'Blue Ribbon' to everyone."
This year's honor marks the 12th time Geary County Schools has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education as Blue Ribbon schools.
"Just being able to tell people that your kids go to a Blue Ribbon school, there is great pride in that, and it makes you feel good," Dinkel said.
In Herington, Nick Morgan is in his seventh year as principal of Herington Elementary. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership. He said he wants to show the students "how big of a deal" receiving the Blue Ribbon recognition is.
"The staff and community understand the magnitude of winning something this prestigious," Morgan said. "We'll plan some fun stuff for students later on."
Morgan said a celebration event is being set for Oct. 11 at the school.
A flag naming the school as a National Blue Ribbon award winner will be hung in each school's entryway or flagpole outside.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said this year's National Blue Ribbon Schools are "raising the bar" for student achievements and school-community collaboration.
