Today, our friends at Bald Creek Elementary in Yancey County were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, one of only 329 schools (279 public and 50 private) to recieve the honor this year and one of only eight in the state and two in Western North Carolina. This honor is given to schools that “either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.” Bald Creek was honored for the exemplary high academic performance of its students. We'd like to offer our congratulations to the distinguished educators at Bald Creek, especially our board member, principal Sherry Robinson.
At the ceremony today, Susie was asked to speak, thanks to her role in making sure that nearly every teacher at Bald Creek is trained in Orton-Gillingham methods. Sherry has said that Orton-Gillingham training has played a big role in her students being able to achieve success. "Today, the entire school takes great pride in being able to say we are an Orton school,” she says.
Fewer that 9,000 schools nationally have recieved the Blue Ribbon honor since the program was initiated in 1982. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. in a letter to award-winners. “Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices—professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems—making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation.”
North Carolina state Superintendent June Atkinson congratulated educators and students at winning North Carolina schools. “In my travels across the state I see firsthand how hard our principals, teachers and support staff work to ensure that students excel in the classroom and life. It’s rewarding when those efforts are recognized,” she said.
YCS Superintendent Tony Tipton stated, “We are proud to have Bald Creek Elementary represent YCS with state and national recognition of high learning standards and student achievements. Bald Creek is living up to the Yancey County Schools vision statement of Our Vision–Excellence. “
Congratulations, Sherry and Bald Creek on this well deserved honor!
Watch a video message from the US Secretary of Education featuring all the award-winners below!
