Willets Road Blue Ribbon Celebration - November 22, 2011

Mr. Kimmel's Speech - Willets Road Blue Ribbon Celebration

November 22, 2011

Good morning.  Welcome to the Willets Road Blue Ribbon School Celebration.  Before we begin this morning’s program I would like to formally welcome our Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorna Lewis, our Board of Education president, Mr. Mark Kamberg, vice president Mr. Bob Frier, and our Board trustees                Mr. Robert Fallarino, Mr. David Keefe, and Mrs. Barbara Sloane.  In attendance this morning we have a very special guest, New York State Department of Education Regent, Mr. Roger Tilles. On behalf of our District, I would like to thank you for finding time in your very busy schedule to join us this morning.  Also in attendance, we have Sandy Portnoy from Assembly woman Michelle Shimmel’s office, and State Senator Jack Martins.  Lastly I would like to welcome the administrative team of the East Williston School District and members of the Willets Road PTO Executive Board including co-presidents Gabrielle Karikas and Nancy Williams. 

At this time I ask you all to rise and turn your attention to our wind ensemble under the direction of Mr. Scott Hoefling and members of our chorus under the direction of Mrs. Karen Brandine for a performance of our National Anthem.

Last Monday and Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the National Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C. with faculty representative Mr. Joseph Coladonato. Throughout this incredible event, I was at often times reflecting on the answers to the big questions that I believe all of the recipients were asking themselves.  First: What does the Blue Ribbon mean?  For the Willets Road School it means that we have been recognized as one of the very best schools in our nation.  There are 95,000 public schools in the United States and we were selected as one of 250 schools to receive the 2011 Blue Ribbon.  Since the Blue Ribbon Schools program was established in 1981, only 7000 schools have received this honored distinction out of 135,000 public and private schools.

The second question we asked ourselves was: “What have we accomplished to deserve this honor” Our school was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a school that maintains a very high level of academic and developmental achievement for every one of its students.  Over the past five years with the support of our Superintendent, Board of Education, PTO, and our incredible faculty and staff, we have implemented systemic changes to our instructional

programs that have truly made a remarkable difference in the learning outcomes of our students. The major changes include our shift to a 9 period day instructional day, self-selected acceleration in 7th grade mathematics, academic teaming, modified block scheduling, academic support workshops in ELA and Math, enrichment courses in the arts, humanities, and sciences, and expanded course opportunities for all students.  Additionally we have broadened our co-curricular club program to capture the interests and imagination of our students, and created SPARK as a means to foster our continued commitment the social/emotional welfare of our students and ourselves.

The final question we asked ourselves was “So now that you have achieved the distinction of being a Blue Ribbon school, where do you go from here?” The answer is quite simple.  The Blue Ribbon provides us with a sense of validation that we are among the very best and as such we have an obligation to our students and community to remain one of the top schools in our great nation.  We must continue in our pursuit of excellence by continuously challenging our students and ourselves.  We must continue to provide our students with a program that provides them with an academically rich environment that allows them to explore their interests and passions.  And we must continue to provide our staff with the support, resources, and encouragement that is so needed during these challenging times.

Lastly, as I sat among educators representing all 50 states at last week’s Blue Ribbon ceremony in Washington, I couldn’t help but think how fortunate we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.  I realized that the single most important element that binds us together as Americans is our system of education.  The goals are the same.  Prepare our students to be academically strong, independent, socially competent adults who are prepared to succeed in college, enter the workforce, contribute to our culture and society, and to cherish the freedom that we all have as Americans.

Before I close, I have a few more people to thank.  First, the world class faculty and staff of Willets Road. Please stand so that we may show our appreciation and gratitude.   Please know that you are among the very best in our nation.  Your tireless effort and commitment to the students of our community is extraordinary.  Next, on behalf of the Willets Road staff, I would like to thank the parents of our students and the Willets Road PTO for their endless support, kindness, and encouragement.  Lastly, we have 400 students thank. To all of us, you also represent the thousands of Blue Ribbon students who have made the

Willets Road School such a joyous place to learn, work, and grow.

Thank you!

At this time I would like to invite our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lorna Lewis to officially receive the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon Plaque awarded to the Willets Road School.