District News
WAYNESVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED!
Congratulations due this week as Principal Tammy Burchfield, Superintendent Pat Dubbs, and Staff Representative Krista Muterspaw attend the recognition ceremonies in Washington, D.C. for the National Blue Ribbon Award bestowed on Waynesville Elementary School.
Waynesville Elementary School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2017. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
"National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the honorees. "You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff."
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.
Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools. On Nov. 6-7, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).
Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, addressing the invitees at the National Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Classrooms in the elementary building tune in while Principal Tammy Burchfield accepts the National Blue Ribbon Award, on behalf of Waynesville Elementary School.
At the Regional Conference, Waynesville Elementary School Principal Tammy Burchfield, and Superintendent Pat Dubbs received the official plaque for being honored as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Congratulations to the entire building as they celebrate this enormous accomplishment!!! The entire community is extremely proud!!
Waynesville Elementary School is the recipient of the 2017 National Blue Ribbon School award! We are very honored that Waynesville Elementary has received this prestigious national award; recognized as an exemplary high performance school. National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future. This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Congratulations to Principal Tammy Burchfield and all staff members for all their hard work and dedication to the success of every child at Wayne Local Schools. We are extremely proud of the students, staff, parents and all community members who support Wayne Local Schools!
"The staff and students of WES are so excited to have our school be honored with the National Blue Ribbon award. We are thankful for the recognition and as always thankful for the community’s support of our educational endeavors and accomplishments!" - Tammy Burchfield, Elementary Principal
