Blue Ribbon: Criss Elementary earned distinction
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Wood County residents already know how well our schools have met the challenges of the past year-and-a-half, and how dedicated the staff, teachers and administrators are to providing the best education possible for our kids. One of those schools has performed well enough to earn rare honors, as Criss Elementary in Parkersburg was named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School.
Only 325 schools across the country -- and only three in West Virginia -- earned the honor.
"This year's cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better."
Department of Education officials are looking for two things as they decide which schools have earned that blue ribbon: exemplary high-performance and exemplary achievement gap-closing. Being a cut above in those categories is not easy, particularly when facing the very unusual challenges created by a pandemic.
But those at Criss Elementary have done that and more. Congratulations, folks, for earning the honor; and thank you for continued dedication to excellence for our kids.