Chamber News

State Supt. of Schools Congratulates Patrick Springs Elementary

Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright extended congratulations today to the principals, faculty and students of nine Virginia schools that received 2010 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Awards.

State Superintendent Congratulates Blue Ribbon Schools Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright extended congratulations today to the principals, faculty and students of nine Virginia schools that received 2010 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Awards. “These schools serve very different communities, but at the center of each is a principal whose leadership and commitment to excellence bring out the best in both teachers and students,� Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said in congratulating the award-winning schools. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presented Blue Ribbon School flags and plaques to the following seven Virginia public school principals during a ceremony today in Washington: • Andrea Cassell — Patrick Springs Primary, Patrick County • Andy Heintzleman — Eureka Elementary, Charlotte County • Dave Michener — Lincoln Elementary, Loudoun County • Karen Grass — Grafton Bethel Elementary, York County • Kelly Wilmore — Highland High, Highland County • Larry Rasnake — Cleveland Elementary, Russell County • Sherry Wharton-Carey (former principal) — Bellevue Elementary, Richmond All seven public schools were honored earlier this year under the Virginia Index of Performance incentive program for exceeding state and federal accountability standards and achieving excellence goals established by the governor and Board of Education. Bellevue Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Patrick Springs Elementary earned the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence; Cleveland Elementary, Grafton Bethel Elementary and Highland High earned the Board of Education Excellence Award; and Eureka Elementary earned the Board of Education Competence to Excellence Award. The principals of two private schools in Northern Virginia also received Blue Ribbon School flags and plaques during today’s ceremony: • Carol Krichbaum, Saint Theresa School, Diocese of Arlington • Barbara Dalmut, Saint Ambrose Catholic School, Diocese of Arlington The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 to spotlight the country’s highest achieving public and private schools and schools that are making significant progress in raising the achievement of disadvantaged and minority students. Public schools are nominated by state superintendents and private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.