Pearl River Middle School Raises Blue Ribbon Flag [VIDEO]

Pearl River Middle School drew a crowd of parents and local officials to join district students and staff to celebrate the school's 2011 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award Monday.

Pearl River Middle was the only school in Rockland County and one of only 33 middle schools in the country to earn the national distinction this year.

"Very few schools receive the national recognition of the blue ribbon," said Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano. "The ribbon is awarded for demonstrating either improvement or outstanding achievement. Pearl River Middle School was given this award for outstanding achievement. This is not something that happens overnight or through the efforts of a few. It happens over a long period of time and through the hard work of many people."

That is one reason representatives from all levels of the district took part, including Evans Park Elementary School Principal Peggy Lynch, retired Franklin Avenue Elementary School Principal Carla Silberstein, current Franklin Avenue Principal Maureen Alaimo and Pearl River High School Principal William Furdon. Lincoln Avenue Elementary School Principal Kathleenan Cool, the former vice principal at the middle school, was home sick and unable to attend.

New York State Senator David Carlucci (D-New City), Rockland County Legislator John Murphy (R-Pearl River), Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty and Orangetown Receiver of Taxes Bob Simon also attended the event, which included the raising of a National Blue Ribbon Winner flag.

Students were also given blue wristbands to commemorate the award.

The high school student body was representatives because many of the high test scores that helped to earn the award were taken while they were in middle school. Some high school students performed with the middle school band and others took part in the flag-raising.

Pearl River Middle School was nominated by the New York State Education Department, then filled out a detailed application to be eligible for the award. Middle School Principal Maria Paese credited district Director of Community Relations Sandra Cokelely for her work on that application.

"That application told the story of all the things we do right here at Pearl River with the board, the central administration, the teachers, the staff, the kids and the parents all coming together and doing the right thing," Paese said. "So congratulations to all of us."

Dr. Frank Auriemma, who retired as Pearl River's superintendent in June and first came to the district as principal of the middle school, also spoke at the event.

"When I heard, I was incredibly proud and I was very, very happy, but I was not at all shocked," Auriemma said. "I spent 10 years here as middle school principal and I know first-hand what an incredibly special place this is, made up of special teachers and terrific kids. Congratulations to you all. A very well-deserved award and something we should all be very, very proud of."

Editor's note: Check out the attached videos to hear comments from Paese, Auriemma, Morgano and Pearl River Board of Education Member Thomas DePrisco.