Kelly Lane to Host Blue Ribbon Celebration on Monday

It’s understandable that is still in celebration mode after being named a national by the U.S. Department of Education, even though its principal, Bob Gilbert, returned last week from Washington D.C. for the official ceremony.

Indeed, Kelly Lane, which will host a Blue Ribbon School Celebration Day celebration on Monday, Nov. 21, was one of just five schools in the state and only 315 out of 130,000 public and private schools nationwide to earn the distinction, which, according to a press release, is considered to be the highest award an American school can achieve.

The Granby school was bestowed the honor for its five-year gains on the Connecticut Mastery Test.

“We put Granby back on the map in Washington,” said Gilbert at the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Wednesday. “We were very, very proud. It’s a huge honor.”

Several students - Kate Hosack, Joey LaFlamme, Rachel Hennessy, Siena Sandridge and Jackie Grimaldi - appeared before the school board to read essays that they composed as to why Kelly Lane is a Blue Ribbon School

“The teachers support us and tell us, ‘You can do it,’” Hennessy read to the board.

LaFlamme cited the “special activities” as the reason why the school is set apart from the rest.

Student Eden Cowles sang a new school song, composed from a poem written by Hosack.

The poem is as follows:

Kelly Lane, Kelly Lane
The trees and knolls surround you
Kelly Lane Kelly Lane
Your students wrap their arms around you

A place to learn
A place to grow
A place to feel
A place to know

Kelly Lane we’ll always think of you as home

The teachers are amazing
They open up the door
Our students walk right in
And just keep learning more

Blue Ribbon students
In a Blue Ribbon school
Where character counts
Our number one rule

Kelly Lane, Kelly Lane
In later years we’ll know
Kelly Lane, Kelly Lane
How much you’ve helped us grow

Our minds afire
Our hearts aglow
This song of thanks
To you we owe

Kelly Lane, we’ll always think of you as home

The celebration at the school on Monday will start with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and a ceremony at which the essays will be read and the song will be sung again.