From left: BOE member Kevass Harding, student John Wells, BOE President Connie Dietz, BOE member Betty Arnold, student Juli Saga, Superintendent Winston Brooks and principal Lichelle Alford unveil a banner showing their school was named a Blue Ribbon School. Photo by Susan Arensman

Buckner Performing Arts Magnet named a Blue Ribbon School

Buckner Performing Arts Magnet Elementary School has been named a 2007 No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon School from the U.S. Department of Education. The No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools award, one of the most prestigious education awards in the country, distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

The announcement to Buckner students and staff was made like a live TV news report. A student anchor and reporter assisted Superintendent Winston Brooks, principal Lichelle Alford and Board of Education members Kevass Harding and Betty Arnold as they made the “breaking news” announcement.

“Winning this award is like winning the Super Bowl,” Superintendent Brooks told the students. “But instead of tackling other players and making touch downs, you have tackled reading, writing and math. And you have made gains in student achievement instead of gains on just the football field.”

Superintendent Brooks also asked the students to give their teachers a standing ovation for their focus and love of children.

“I want to thank the staff for this award,” said Alford. “Your hard work and dedication paid off.”

Alford also thanked the students for their excitement for learning and their love of the school. “They are the ones who really make it happen,” she said.

The NCLB Blue Ribbon program requires schools to meet either or both of two assessment criteria. It recognizes schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state assessments; and it rewards schools that score in the top 10 percent on state assessments. Buckner qualified for the award in both categories.

“This proves that a good education can be received anywhere in this city,” said Board of Education member Betty Arnold.

Since its inception in 1982, only two other Wichita Public Schools have been designated as Blue Ribbon Schools. Horace Mann earned the distinction in 1984 when it was a middle school, and again in 1999 when it was an elementary school. Earhart Environmental Magnet received the award in 1990.         

A representative from the U.S. Department of Education will visit Buckner on Oct. 11. The school will be officially honored during the 2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony in Washington, DC on November 12-13. 

October 2, 2007