Blanche Sims students were seeing blue on Monday when their school was awarded a Blue Ribbon for excellence in education from the Michigan State Board of Education.
Sims was one of 23 schools from across Michigan being honored this year with the award. They join seven other Lake Orion schools that have been previously been recognized as Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools.
State Board of Education President Kathleen Straus presented the award to Blanche Sims students, staff and parents. Members from the Lake Orion School Board, principals from other Lake Orion schools and local officials were also on hand to witness the presentation.
‘You are very special,? Straus said to Blanche Sims students. ‘You are a Blue Ribbon Exemplary School. You are setting an example to other schools in Michigan.?
For Blanche Sims Principal Eric Whitney, who started the process of applying for recognition a year ago, this award is an exciting thing for both the school and the community.
‘We all knew we were Blue Ribbon Exemplary, but this is a sign for our community,? he said.
The Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Program, which began in 1982 by the Michigan Department of Education, recognizes outstanding public and private schools throughout Michigan. Schools are selected based on their effectiveness in meeting rigorous state education goals.
As far as Whitney is concerned, they can teach anyone at Blanche Sims, he said.
Besides Blanche Sims? normal curriculum, they also have their students participate in service learning with the local nursing home and Paws with a Cause. In fact, Blanche Sims has been participating with Paws for 13 years, as one of the longest running schools in the nation.
Both school board president Leeann Bartley and vice president Bob Gritzinger have soft spots when it comes to Blanche Sims Elementary, as they both attended elementary school there.
‘It’s always been a great school and it’s always getting better,? Gritzinger said. ‘They are not overstating when they say they can teach anyone.?
For Bartley, Blanche Sims holds a lot of memories, as both her and her husband attended, along with their children. It was also where she started her volunteer career with Lake Orion schools, having served as PTO treasurer and president before moving on to serve on the school board for 12 years, eight of which were as president. She is retiring from the board at the end of this school year.
‘Blue Ribbon is a point of pride,? she said. ‘When I finish my term in June, these are the things I am going to miss.?