Southside recognized as National Blue Ribbon School

Posted 11/10/14

The school was named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education — one of only three in Wyoming.

On Thursday, the school officially received its Blue Ribbon award and celebrated with an assembly, special guests, cake …

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Southside recognized as National Blue Ribbon School

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For years, Southside Elementary’s motto has been “Southside Shines.”

Southside is shining especially bright these days.

The school was named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education — one of only three in Wyoming.

On Thursday, the school officially received its Blue Ribbon award and celebrated with an assembly, special guests, cake and dancing.

Kevin Mitchell, superintendent of Park County School District No. 1, congratulated Southside students.

“I’m very proud of you, as everyone in this school district and community is,” he said. “We appreciate your hard work.”

Since 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has set a standard for excellence and honored schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals.

Southside received the award as an Exemplary High Performing School based on students’ success on state assessments or national tests. Southside also attained the rating of “Exceeding Expectations” through the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act.

Powell’s three elementary schools have all received a Blue Ribbon award — Westside in 2004 and Parkside in 2012.

During a school-wide assembly Thursday, comments from Southside students were read, saying why they believe their school is successful.

“We listen to our teachers and show respect,” said a first-grader.

A fifth-grade student said Southside “has been successful for as long as I have been here … the school is successful in reading, math and writing. What makes us successful is our hardworking teachers. Without them, our school would be going downhill. We are also successful because our students accept challenges.”

Southside Principal Scott Schiller said when he is asked what makes the school great, he always has the same answer: Southside puts students and their learning first.

“We all know kids are our greatest asset, but a Southside kid knows how much their teacher loves them and that they will do everything they can to help them be successful,” Schiller said.

In turn, students put forth their best effort at school, he said.

“Our students are dedicated to good behavior, putting a stop to bullying, doing their best work in class and meeting the challenges of homework, assessments, busy lives and just being a kid,” Schiller said.

For Southside, it’s the second major honor within a year.

In December, the school was named a National Title I Distinguished School, an honor given to only two schools in Wyoming each year.

“There’s no doubt that Southside is a very special school,” Schiller said, commending students and teachers.

He said Southside has been on a special journey for the past 10 years. Southside never set a goal to become a Blue Ribbon School or a National Title I Distinguished School, he said, but the staff does set goals every year to make students’ learning the priority.

“This focus on their goals and student achievement allows them to put learning interventions in place to help all students, ensuring they’re doing everything they can to meet the needs of every single student, so no student falls through the cracks,” Schiller said.

Ginger Sleep, the former principal at Southside, also was recognized for her work to make the school what it is today. Sleep is now the principal at Shoshone Learning Center.

During Thursday’s assembly, Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill thanked all staff members, both current and former, for everything they’ve done for the school.

Hill told Southside students that becoming a Blue Ribbon School doesn’t occur in a day, a week or even a year.

“It happened over time,” she said.

Hill congratulated students for the rare distinction of being a Blue Ribbon School, noting Wyoming has more than 350 schools, but only three Blue Ribbons are given annually.

“Each one of you — and your school, and your parents and your teachers, and all your staff and leadership — make Wyoming proud,” Hill said.

Schiller also said the journey isn’t complete for Southside.

“I think the staff would say they’re very honored to be recognized as an excellent school in a district full of excellent schools and that they feel very fortunate to teach in a community like Powell, where the education of our children is a top priority,” Schiller said.

But tomorrow, next week and next year will bring new learners to Southside, he said.

“Even though the Blue Ribbon is an awesome achievement for our students, staff and school, we still have work to do,” Schiller said.

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