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Young Elementary Named National Blue Ribbon School
Young Elementary Named National Blue Ribbon School
Bernice Young Elementary School has been named a 2020 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.
“I commend you for striving to do what’s right for your students and to personalize instruction to meet your students’ unique needs and strengths,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a letter to the school. “Thank you for what you do to help your students realize their potential and achieve their dreams.”
In her first year as Young Elementary principal, Christy Norwood said, “It’s an honor to lead a school that already had so many good things happening. It’s amazing to be recognized at a national level.”
Debbie Flora, the principal at Young for many years before retiring in May, shared in the exciting news. She said, “If anyone deserves to be recognized, it’s the incredible team at Young. Through the great relationships built between students and staff, every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
“While this validates the work the Young staff does, it is a reflection of the entire Springdale School District. Young puts into action district values and initiatives. The entire district utilizes research that shows what works best for kids.”
Young is one of five schools in Arkansas to be recognized with 2020 Blue Ribbon status. The most recent school in Springdale to have been named a National Blue Ribbon School was Hunt Elementary in 2018.
A Letter from Betsy DeVos
A Letter from Betsy DeVos
Congratulations on your recognition as a 2020 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School! The U.S. Department of Education acknowledges your students’ success as an inspiring example of how teachers, parents, and community leaders can work together to help students prepare for what comes next.
I commend you for striving to do what’s right for your students and to personalize instruction to meet your students’ unique needs and strengths. Thank you for what you do to help your students realize their potential and achieve their dreams.
A world-class education must be available to every young person if our nation is to meet the challenges of the future—and of right now. Great school leaders pivoted and kept learning going for their students as health realities disrupted everything.
I commend your dedication and recognize the essential work that you do in helping students prepare for successful futures. Our country needs more dedicated educators like you. It is my hope that you will become a beacon for other educators, working with them, and sharing the practices that make your students so deserving of this national recognition.
I wish you and your students continued success in the years ahead.
Betsy DeVos
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