Blue Ribbon Celebration Continues For West Orange School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — It was a Blue Monday in West Orange – but the students and staff of Redwood Elementary School couldn’t have been happier.

Last week, Redwood Elementary celebrated its recently awarded “Blue Ribbon” status with a special parade for students, staff and former principals.

The school was one of less than 300 to earn the prestigious national designation this year from the U.S. Department of Education. Read More: West Orange School Earns 'Blue Ribbon' For 2022

As part of the Nov. 7 gathering, the Redwood community donated various items in blue, including pom poms, thunder sticks, clappers, and bell shakers to wave as students marched across the blacktop. The WOHS AFJROTC and a joint performance of the WOHS Boys and Girls Step Teams joined the celebration, and New Jersey Acting Commissioner of Education, Angelica Allen-McMillen delivered congratulatory remarks as guest speaker.

District administrators added:

“Each 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools application contributor received framed certificates as a token of appreciation from Principal Kimya Jackson. A parent donated personalized tumblers to all of the former administrators: Barbara Kivlon, Timothy Beaumont, and Heather Carr, to show Redwood's appreciation to them for contributing to the academic foundation which led to the honor of being named a Blue Ribbon School.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.