Claremore Daily Progress

Top Stories

Related Photos

  • PHOTO PROVIDED

    images_sizedimage_279120005
October 6, 2009

Roosa named Blue Ribbon School

October 6, 2009 — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently announced the 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools and Claremore’s Roosa Elementary School was among those with the distinction.

Roosa Elementary will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, where each Blue Ribbon School receives a plaque and flag to signify its Blue Ribbon School status. These schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation.

“These Blue Ribbon Schools are places where improved teaching and learning benefits every student, and where students are challenged to meet high expectations with the active support of teachers, parents and the community,” Secretary Duncan said.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state tests, and 2) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state or national tests.

In addition, public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, in reading and mathematics.

Glen Abshere, principal at Roosa, was quick to point out that Blue Ribbon status is achieved through a group effort.

“We have a wonderful staff of teachers who strive each and every day to educate and challenge our students to do their very best. Additionally, we are blessed with fabulous parents who take the time to be involved in their children’s education and provide support at home.”

“The Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets an exemplary standard that should be a goal for all improving schools and schools striving for high levels of achievement,” said Claremore Public Schools Superintendent Michael McClaren. “We are proud of Roosa Elementary — the students, faculty, and parents — who have made this distinction possible.”

The Blue Ribbon program dates back to 1982, when then Secretary of Education Terrel Bell commissioned a study of American education. The report, called A Nation at Risk, described a “rising tide” of mediocre schools that threatened the nation’s future. In part, it galvanized the extraordinary energy that has been devoted to educational research over the last quarter century.

Secretary Bell created the Blue Ribbon Schools Award to bring the best U.S. schools to public attention and to recognize those schools whose students thrived and excelled. Working with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Bell launched the Blue Ribbon Schools and the National Distinguished Principals Programs. Both highlighted outstanding models of American schools and school leadership.

Since then, the U. S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored many of America’s most successful schools. A Blue Ribbon School flag waving overhead has become a mark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.

That Blue Ribbon School flag will soon be waving over Roosa Elementary.

Text Only
Top Stories
  • BARGASweb.jpg NAIA WORLD SERIES: RSU upsets No. 1 LSU-Shreveport

    The ninth-seeded Rogers State baseball team choreographed its second straight come-from-behind victory at the Avista-NAIA World Series with a 2-1 upset over top ranked and top seeded LSU-Shreveport on Saturday evening at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State.
    The Diamond Cats snapped the Pilots 16-game winning streak and handed them just their fifth loss of the season. It’s the first time in program history the Cats have topped the No.1 team in the country.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • commissioners-02web.jpg Rogers County candidates face off

    Rogers County candidates faced tough questions Thursday during a debate at Rogers State University.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • KidsCamp-iconweb.jpg Send a Kid to Camp fundraiser kicks off

    Forty Rogers County children will have the opportunity to attend the Heart O’Hills Salvation Army Camp in Tahlequah — if generous Progress readers can raise the needed funds.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • SpecOlympic-family01web.jpg Copelands get state Special Olympics honor

    Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer presented the 2012 family of the year award to the Copeland family at the opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma Special Olympic Games May 9 in Stillwater.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • Memorial Day event to mark bridge collapse

    The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says a Memorial Day event will mark the 10-year anniversary of the collapse of the Interstate 40 bridge into the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls.

    May 26, 2012

  • Eagle Academic All-Stater

    Sequoyah High School senior Cadence Wong was named as part of Oklahoma’s Academic All State Class of 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • TSCRA Rangers deliver reward money to sheriff’s department

    Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton recently received reward money from agents with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, which will soon be distributed to tipsters in a case involving the bow and arrow deaths of several livestock.

    May 25, 2012

  • GRDA is bringing power into the future

    The Claremore Chamber of Commerce hosted Dan Sullivan as the guest speaker during the monthly luncheon Thursday at Rogers State University Centennial Center.

    May 25, 2012

  • FEC postpones Mullin advisory opinion ruling

    The Federal Election Commission requested an extension today to review 2nd District Congressional Candidate Markwayne Mullin’s request for an exception to federal electioneering laws.

     

    May 24, 2012

  • Special session looms as House rejects $6.8B budget

    The Oklahoma House failed Thursday to pass a $6.8 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government, setting up the possibility of lawmakers returning for a special session.

    May 24, 2012