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According to the superintendent of the Blind Brook – Rye Union Free School District, everyone from the teachers, students and administrators, to the parents and other community stakeholders is thrilled with the prestigious designation.
Schools are recognized for their overall academic excellence or for their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
In a letter to the school community, Jonathan Ross congratulated the Blind Brook High School on its selection.
It was among 279 public and 50 private schools that will be formally recognized in November in ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
Three other schools in the Hudson Valley were also among the overall recipients: the Todd Elementary School in Briarcliff Manor (Westchester); Haldane High School in Cold Spring (Putnam) and Nanuet Senior High School in Nanuet (Rockland).
The Blind Brook – Rye district itself plans to celebrate at the Board of Education’s Nov. 21 meeting, Ross said.
“This honor validates and confirms the district’s commitment to its vision and mission,” Ross wrote.
That commitment, the superintendent explained is “a reflection of the high value that all school constituency groups place on public education in this community.”
It’s the team effort that makes the school district so “special,” said Ross, saluting students, parents, teachers, administrators and staff members “for this incredible accomplishment.”
The National Blue Ribbon School flag will be displayed at the King Street Campus entrance as a symbol of the exemplary teaching and learning that occurs, Ross concluded, not only at the high school, but also at the Blind Brook Middle School and the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School.
Ross said he planned to attend the Washington, D.C. ceremonies with the high school’s principal, Patricia Lambert.
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. addressed all the recipients in a video.
The fact that there are so many on the list is, King said, “proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers.”
"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,” he added in the taped address.
For more information about Blind Brook High School and the district, click here.
For a list of all the Blue Ribbon schools and a brief description, click here.
For a related story, click here.
To see a video of King’s speech, click here
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