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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Washington Elementary will be formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. November 9 & 10. Two representatives from the school, Principal Chad Lueck and 6th grade teacher Jan Beauchman will travel to Washington, D.C. to receive the National Blue Ribbon School flag and an engraved plaque as symbols of the schools success.
Superintendent Dean Koppelman issued this statement following the announcement on Tuesday, September 29th.
I would like to congratulate and recognize ALL of the Washington Elementary staff, students, parents, and our community for achieving this award as it takes everyone I have mentioned to build a culture that allows for an excellence in education to take place.
I understand the award is for 2015 but we need to keep in mind that over the years there have been many teachers, support staff members, students, parents, community members, along with administrators and school board members who have played a part in helping Washington Elementary School reach the point of achieving this award.
Washington Elementary School is definitely in the spotlight, and deservedly so!! Not to take any of that spotlight away, I would be remiss if I did not mention all of our schools provide a top quality education to the students we serve. The Valley City Public School District is known as a leader in K-12 Education in North Dakota and I am very proud to be associated with this great school system and great community!
Mr. Chad Lueck (Washington Elementary School Principal) and Mr. Jan Beauchman (Sixth Grade Teacher) will be attending a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on November 9 and 10, to receive the award for Washington Elementary School. I know they will represent our school district very well. Sometime after that, State Superintendent of Schools Kirsten Baesler, along with other officials will be coming to our community for a formal recognition of Washington Elementary School. This event will be open to the community and we will certainly pass along the details when they become available.
Mr. Lueck does a very nice job in providing the leadership necessary for a top quality education to be received by our students at Washington Elementary School. It is also very fitting for Mr. Beauchman to attend the ceremony as he will be retiring at the end of this school year, at which time he will have completed 43 years of teaching, all at Washington Elementary School!! That is truly remarkable!! Thank you Mr. Beauchman for so many years of outstanding service to Washington Elementary School and to Valley City Public Schools!
To everyone at Washington Elementary School, THANK YOU!! Great work!! I am very proud of all of you!!
Dean Koppelman, Superintendent, Valley City Public Schools.
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven announced that the U.S. Department of Education selected Washington Elementary School in Valley City as a National Blue Ribbon School in recognition of its overall academic achievement.
Hoeven said. “Washington Elementary and the community of Valley City have earned their Blue Ribbon award by creating an environment that engages and encourages kids. That helps them to learn valuable lessons, take on challenging work and develop the skills and knowledge they need to build a healthy, prosperous future for both themselves and our nation.”
North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer said “North Dakota continues to be home to some of the best schools in our nation,” he added, “Washington Elementary’ s recognition as a Blue Ribbon School is a testament to the hard work of the students, teachers, administrators and parents in creating an open and productive institution of learning.”
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp congratulated Washington Elementary School in Valley City for being selected as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.
“Receiving recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School signifies the hard work and dedication of the teachers, students and parents at Washington Elementary,” said Heitkamp. “It was through quality public education and access to academic opportunities that I was able to go from the daughter of a school cook and a seasonal construction worker in Mantador to serving our state in the U.S. Senate, and I have no doubt these students are also on a path to success. Congratulations to the folks at Washington Elementary and in Valley City for receiving this high honor and thank you for your commitment to our next generation of leaders.”
North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says the entire state should celebrate Washington Elementary’s achievement.
The federal Department of Education gives Blue Ribbon School awards annually. This year, Washington Elementary was one of 285 public schools to get the honor.
Baesler says Washington Elementary won the award as an exemplary high-performing school.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was founded in 1982 to recognize the work of the nation’s top schools. Since the program’s founding, the Blue Ribbon distinction has been awarded to schools achieving impressive results through exemplary teaching practices. To date, more than 7,500 schools have received the designation.
- Far left front row L to R VCSU professors Dave Bass and Gary Thompson.
- Washington Elementary Principal Chad Lueck said he is proud of all the hard work from so many teacher and staff members to help make Washington a National Blue Ribbon School.
