It was a hollering, clapping and foot-stomping good time at LES (Lakeland Elementary School) this morning (12.7.18) amid of sea of blue and white shirts and two bunches of helium-filled gold star balloons.
The festivities honored the school’s selection as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for the 2017-18 school year. Students, faculty and staff wore their pride with blue or white T-shirts stating, “We are Lakeland Elementary – National Blue Ribbon School 2018.”
And celebrate they did. The almost 900 students in grades PK-4th filled the gym bleachers and onto the gym floor to cheer for their school, which was one of 349 schools nationally recognized for the honor. They clapped, they hollered, they stomped their feet and they shined with delight with “Celebration” playing in the background.Lakeland School System (LSS) Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell addressed the crowd saying, “Isn’t this exciting? She (Joretha Lockhart, LES principal) sure knows how to throw a party. This may be the biggest party I’ve been to.”
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oBESXK4DSPXt72Gh7
Although Dr. Horrell routinely wears a coat and tie to professionally represent the Lakeland School System (LSS), he slipped the blue commemorative shirt over his dress clothes, asking the students, “Do I still look professional?” They screamed “YESSS.”
Painting with a wide brush, he said the honor is due to students, teachers, administrators, the community, organizations and even those who formerly worked or attended school at LES.
Dr. Horrell likened the National Blue Ribbon Award to a lifetime achievement award, citing LeBron James, a professional basketball player, as an example. “LeBron James does great just about every single day,” he said. “Every single day you are doing the best you can. But I challenge you. Keep doing it. Keep doing what you are doing every single day. Be the best you can be.”
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright, whose District 3 includes Lakeland, spoke to students, asking, “Are you excited?” YESSS, was the answer. “Do you have great teachers at this school?” YESSS again. “The entire County is proud of you.”
He read a resolution from the Commission recognizing the honor for the School.
The morning program opened with remarks and recognitions from Mrs. Lockhart and the presentation of the flag by two students.
Elected officials from the Lakeland School Board and the Lakeland Board of Commissioners were acknowledged along with City staff, LSS staff and PTA volunteers. Mrs. Lockhart thanked the LES PTA for purchasing the white celebration shirts for all the students. Teachers and staff had blue shirts.
There were seven Blue Ribbon speakers from the fourth grade: Bryce Dotson, Alex Fuica, Kyler Biggart, Elaina Wright, Brecken Boyd, Abby Garcia and Rodger Shao.
Additional students marched into the gym holding giant letters spelling Lakeland Lions, and shouting attributes of the school representing each letter. The LES Cheerleaders announced each student duo with “We are Lakeland Lions.”
The LES Glee Club sang “Go Lions, Go,” written by director Dianne Davis.
The program featured two LES teachers, Kristen Newton and Robin Smith, singing “For Good” and receiving a standing ovation from other teachers, administration and faculty. Ms. Newton is a former LES student.
As the happy event came to an end, Mrs. Lockhart said to teachers, “This is your award. I want all the teachers to be able to touch the award.” So they lined up along the gym wall to touch the coveted award presented to LES this year.
Mrs. Lockhart, Lou Ann Vaught, gifted learner educator, and Dr. Horrell traveled to Washington, D.C. last month to accept the award.
In a press release issued Oct. 1, Dr. Horrell said the honor is the highest the U.S. Department of Education conveys on public and private schools in the United States.
“Lakeland Elementary was nominated as an Exemplary High Performing School. That means the school’s scores were in at least the top 15% in the state, and that disaggregated results for all students, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds, were similar to the results for all students tested.
“In 2017 TN Ready testing, Lakeland Elementary student scores were in the top 1% of elementary schools in math, reading and science.
“Lakeland Elementary is an extraordinary school with an extraordinary leader in Joretha Lockhart. She continues to push her teachers and students to achieve more and more each year while, incredibly, also cultivating a loving and nurturing school climate. We could not be more proud of this accomplishment.”
Dr. Horrell also noted the esteem in which the Blue Ribbon Program is held. “This award is essentially the highest honor a school can receive in the United States and places Lakeland Elementary in great company with the other schools that have received this distinction.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program started in 1982.
Faculty and special guests were treated to a catered lunch after the program. Blue Bell donated ice cream cups for all the students.
… Photos, video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
