Buckner students and Principal Lichelle Alford (far right) celebrate being named a 2007 National Blue Ribbon School with BOE members Kevass Harding, Connie Dietz, Betty Arnold, and Superintendent Winston Brooks.

• Buckner Performing Arts Magnet has been named a 2007 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School from the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious national award honors gains in student achievement.

• 31 schools received the 2007 Standard of Excellence—the state’s highest honor based on their performance on the Kansas State assessments in math, reading and writing.

• Three schools received the 2007 Challenge Awards from the Confidence in Public Education Task Force, for their outstanding achievement in reading and/or math, despite challenges in school population

• Stacie Valdez, Language Arts teacher at North High School, was named one of 8 finalists for the 2008 Kansas Teacher of the Year

• Seven high school students have received thousands of dollars to further their education from the Dell and Gates Millennium Scholars Programs 2007

• Three students were named National Achievement Scholarship semi-finalists

• 85% of East High School’s International Baccalaureate 2007 seniors were awarded their IB Diplomas. This is well above the U.S. average of 75% and the world average of 80%.

• Alex Robinson, District Supervisor of Security Services, personally received the President’s Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush.

• Heather Smith, senior at North High School, has been named to the 2007 National Hispanic Recognition Program, sponsored by College Board

• East High School band director Dana Hamant received the Bandworld Legion of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation

• Northeast Magnet High School’s chess team placed 10th in the nation at the 2007 National Chess Tournament

• Board of Education president, Connie Dietz, was one of only six urban BOE members from across the United States nominated for the 2007 Richard R. Green Award