Administrators traveled to Washington, D.C. on Nov. 9-10 to accept the Blue Ribbon Award the elementary received.
Elementary Principal Amy Huseman said being honored with the Blue Ribbon Award shows the dedication the students and staff have.
“Receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award validates the hard work of our teachers, students, staff and community,” she said. “It showcases the success of our students in closing the gaps and in fostering high academic performance.”
Elementary Guidance Counselor Vicky Lopez said the elementary was one of two schools to be given both awards.
“There are 5,130 elementary schools in our wonderful, big state of Texas and there were 31 schools in the entire state chosen for this award,” Lopez said. “However, there were only two schools that received two awards and Archer City Elementary was one of them.”
Superintendent Jon Hartgraves said it’s an honor to be given a national award.
“Winning this award means a lot because each school has to be nominated by the Commissioner of Education,” he said, “which proves the hard work of the elementary staff.”
Former Superintendent C.D. Knobloch said the Blue Ribbon Award is a bigger accomplishment than it seems.
“Being given the National Blue Ribbon award means a lot more than what the media sets it out to be,” Knobloch said. “It’s a big deal because our elementary was ranked 1/2 % of all school’s in the nation.”
Huseman said each school’s acceptance speech was uplifting.
“The atmosphere of the award ceremony was filled with pride and honor,” Huseman said. “Each school receiving an award had inspirational messages and shared the importance of education, perseverance and the impact of our dedicated teachers.”
Hartgraves said the staff’s hard work is paying off for the students.
“To continue the Blue Ribbon Award expectations, students have to continue to work hard, come to school and listen to the teachers,” he said. “We have a top notch staff, not just in the elementary but in the high school too.”
Lopez said everyone has to contribute to keep the school’s high standards.
“Students and staff can collectively work towards maintaining the high standards required for the Blue Ribbon Award, ensuring that everyone is contributing to the success of our school expectations.”
Knobloch said need to continue to work hard to meet the National Blue Ribbon expectations.
“Our students and staff need to keep the standards up to par,” he said. “believe that if we continue to make our weak points stronger that we can prepare all of students for challenges to come.”
Huseman said she is prideful to be a member of a school of excellence.
“Being part of a school that has been awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award is a tremendous honor,” she said. “The school’s achievement brings recognition not just to the current staff at Archer City Elementary, but also to the efforts of everyone involved over the years, creating a feeling of belonging to something special.”
Hartgraves said everyone who aided with the national award will be honored with a banquet.
“We have a big banquet coming up in February to honor the staff and school board members,” he said. “Everyone who contributed in the Blue Ribbon process will also be welcomed like former teachers.”
