“Enough said. We’re pretty good. And some of us have just gone to Washington, D. C., to be told we’re pretty good. Oh, yes, here’s a little confetti for the world to see.” McLeod’s PK-4K students are celebrating.
The blue cup cakes seem to be worth a blue ribbon, too, as the entire school has just received. At least, these two third graders might agree.They are Alaina Hale and Levi Moore.
A flag to hang for years to come. Holding the National Blue Ribbon School banner are, from left,Elementary School Principal Erin Lambeth and Superintendent Jennifer Lance.
McLeod students in their honor award tee-shirts are all attention as they are being told how to throw the confetti they’ll soon receive. The adults are Britanny Hobbs, Brenda McCoart, Beth Byargeon and Tammy Logan.
McLeod named‘Blue Ribbon School’
Two leaders of the McLeod public school told students, staff and parents they were about to make history as they tossed confetti high in the air Friday afternoon in the school’s gym.
The occasion was that the elementary school’s program had been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023, one of 26 in Texas. The superintendent and principal had gone to Washington, D. C., to accept the award for the school.
And so, on this school day, students Pre-K through K4 in blue and white school t-shirts, threw blue confetti and received blue cupcakes — all to commend their school’s blue ribbon status.
“That’s the history you are making,” Elementary Principal Erin Lambeth told the crowd. “One day you will look back at this moment and be happy to know you were part of a recognized school. We’re a family, and we’re happy for us all.”
The National Blue Ribbon School recognition program began in 1982 with the U. S. Department of Eduction’s goal to shine a spotlight on best schools.
McLeod had transitioned from a school with “a history of highs and lows related to academic performance,” to today’s recognized school for its focus on each student, according to Principal Lambeth.
“Academic achievement paired with good character lessons … make McLeod Elementary stand out,” Lambeth continued.
Superintendent Jennifer Lance added, “We are very much a family, and our students love our school. It goes beyond academics. It’s a support system.”
The adjective of family comes up often when patrons describe the school district. After the confetti toss it was parents who joined with staff to begin sweeping the paper tabs off the gym floor.
Superintendent Lance was one of the first to grab a broom and began sweeping. The school had achieved its award, now it was gong to make the effort to keep it.