Kettering elementary school wins national recognition

Indian Riffle Elementary School staff celebrate after being named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2018 by the Department of Education. CONTRIBUTED.

Indian Riffle Elementary School staff celebrate after being named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2018 by the Department of Education. CONTRIBUTED.

Staff members at Kettering’s Indian Riffle Elementary School were cheering and confetti was flying when the school was named a National Blue Ribbon winner.

Indian Riffle was the lone local school among the 16 in Ohio to receive the award, announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on Monday.

“This coveted award affirms the hard work of Indian Riffle staff and families and the ongoing support of the entire Kettering community for high-quality, high-performing schools,” said Kari Basson, coordinator of community relations and auxiliary services for the school district.

The recognition each school receives is based on overall academic performance or progress to close achievement gaps among the student subgroups.

“I’m pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said DeVos in a video message to the honorees.

“We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is in its 36th year. This honor has been given to more than 8,800 schools since then. The Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with all honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 7 and 8, according to the release.

There are up to 420 schools that can be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau if Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

Visit the National Blue Ribbon School's website for a full list of schools honored.

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