A recognition worthy of a Blue Ribbon… West Side Elementary faculty, staff treated to luncheon, visit from Congressman Roe
Published 9:52 pm Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Director of Elizabethton City Schools Richard VanHuss serves Dr. Tammy Markland salad during Wednesday's luncheon.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders West Side Elementary faculty and staff enjoyed a great luncheon on Wednesday consisting of chicken strips, salad, choice of potato, rolls, condiments, and cake for being named as a Blue Ribbon School. The meal was provided by the Elizabethton City Schools Administration and attended by First District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe who is serving his final term in Congress.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders It was a special day at West Side Elementary for faculty and staff as First District Congressman Phil Roe visited the school to honor and celebrate the school being one of seven schools in the state to receive Blue Ribbon status. Pictured (L-R) Director of Schools Richard VanHuss, Dr. Tammy Markland, Dr. Myra Newman, Principal John Wright, Congressman Phil Roe, and John Hutchins.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders West Side Elementary Principal John Wright gives opening comments during Wednesday's luncheon at the school to honor the faculty and staff for being named a Blue Ribbon school.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders First District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe was on hand at West Side Elementary on Wednesday to honor the faculty, staff, and administration for their work on being named only one of seven schools in the state as Blue Ribbon winners.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton City Schools Director Richard VanHuss thanks the faculty and staff for their hard work in being named a Blue Ribbon school.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Dr. Tammy Markland shares about how the way she was inspired to go back and get her teaching degree after her children were instructed by the educators of West Side Elementary School and the positive impact they made.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A handmade sign congratulates faculty and staff for obtaining National Blue Ribbon status.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Assistant Director of Schools for Operations John Hutchins has some fun with the camera while serving faculty and staff lunch to celebrate West Side Elementary being named a Blue Ribbon School.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders West Side Elementary's four 'be's' are posted to remind students and staff of their daily challenge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders John Hutchins offers West Side Elementary faculty and staff the choice of a baked potato or sweet potato as part of the celebration luncheon held at the school on Wednesday.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton City Schools Administrators were doling out lunch to the faculty and staff of West Side Elementary to celebrate the school receiving National Blue Ribbon status. Myra Newman, Josh Boatman, and Director of Schools Richard VanHuss work hard to make sure everyone has plenty to eat.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Faculty and staff of West Side Elementary enjoyed a luncheon provided by the Elizabethton City School administration for being named a Blue Ribbon winner - only one of seven schools in the entire state.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders John Hutchins serves Congressman Dr. Phil Roe a potato during a luncheon at West Side Elementary School.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders West Side Elementary School prinicipal John Wright raises a new flag given to him by Congressman Phil Roe. Roe informed in a few days that he would receive a flag that was flown over the State Capital to fly at the school.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Wednesday afternoon was a special day for the faculty and staff at West Side Elementary School as they were treated to a luncheon provided and served by the Elizabethton City School Administration in recognition for the school being named only one of seven National Blue Ribbon schools in the state of Tennessee.
On hand to help celebrate the occasion was First District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe and district director Bill Darden.
In a previous letter to the school, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said, “Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees. It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”
According to the letter the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.
Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.
School Principal John Wright opened the ceremony to honor his faculty and staff.
“Today is not just a celebration of a single event or individual – it’s a celebration for the accomplishment of the communities and the families,” said Wright. “Both of my children came here and grew and learned as part of the West Side family of learning.”
Director of Schools Richard VanHuss greeted those who were being celebrated for their achievement and told them that in a year where there hasn’t be much to celebrate that the faculty and staff of West Side Elementary had been bright stars.
“I am proud of you and the work that you are doing,” said VanHuss. “I am a proud West Side graduate in 1983 and I know firsthand what a great school it has been for many, many years, and the positive impact it had on my life.
“Through your efforts, you have raised the bar higher for teachers and students at West Side for years to come and you are having the same positive impact on your students as West Side did for me years ago.”
Congressman Roe took the floor and reminded the school how hard it was to be recognized for such an honor as being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.
“Let me just sort of tell you how big this award really is,” said Congressman Roe. “There are 100,000 schools in the United States and only about 337 schools were picked to receive this recognition.
“There are 1883 schools in the state of Tennessee and only seven were selected for this award. This award happens because of a team effort and I am talking about everybody.”
Congressman Roe said that he had spoken with Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Lamar Alexander and both had sent their congratulations to the school as well.
Dr. Tammy Markland shared with those in attendance the reason that she went back to school and became an educator was because of the way her own children had been taught when they came through West Side Elementary.
“I watched as you poured your heart and soul into every student that passed through the school,” said Dr. Markland. “You not only tell students they can do something but you believe that they can.”
Each faculty and staff member was presented with a plaque to commemorate the school being named a Blue Ribbon School.
