Bemis Elementary Awarded 2nd National Blue Ribbon

Bemis Elementary Awarded Second National Blue Ribbon

Troy School District’s Bemis Elementary has been awarded the National Blue Ribbon for this year by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. One of only 367 schools across the country, the recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Bemis celebrates diversity with over 40 different languages spoken by students, staff and families. According to Bemis Principal Jeremy Whan, it is an honor to receive its second National Blue Ribbon award in the past decade with recognition of their culture of collective efficacy where all teachers are rooted in best practice through world class professional development. “Bemis staff have partnered with Columbia University Teacher's College, Harvard University Project Zero and New Pedagogical Practices for Deep Learning,” said Whan. “They have helped us create a cognitively vibrant community for all learners (staff, students and parents) who are immersed in inquiry that provides opportunities for them to be engaged in the world by exploring their questions, developing these ideas and then changing their world by taking action.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

“I am so proud of all of the outstanding staff at Bemis, and appreciate their dedication to our students, community, and our district,” praised Whan. “The relationships we have built together have truly transformed our learning community and our collective efficacy towards ensuring that if it is ‘good for one...it is good for all’ has truly paid off.”

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13, where they will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able. and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail. The Bemis Elementary community will also be holding a formal ceremony here in Troy when the COVID situation allows.

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Photos courtesy the Troy School District