College Park Elementary Nominated For Blue Ribbon Schools Program

GREENDALE, WI — Greendale's College Park Elementary School is one of eight public elementary schools in Wisconsin that was nominated for the 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. District officials say they're honored, while also an affirmation that goes beyond the numbers.

"I think what College Park and all of our school do very well is celebrate unique nature of every child,"Dr. Gary Kiltz, Greendale School District Superintendent told Patch.com. "College Park celebrates the unique gifts that each student brings, and it carries through ... that's not a challenge for us, it's an opportunity and a gift. We can learn a lot for each other and it brings a richness to our community."

Blue Ribbon Schools recognizes schools with some of the highest student academic achievement in the state or those that demonstrate dramatic gains in closing achievement gaps. According to the recent state report card data, College Park is among the top 10 elementary schools in the State of Wisconsin and ranks third of all elementary schools in Milwaukee County.

According to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction data, College Park Elementary student enrollment indicated that in 2016-17, the school was comprised of 200 students who identified as white, 15 as Asian, 8 as Black, 37 as Hispanic, and 9 as multi-racial. Principal Kerry Owens-Bur said that there's 16 native languages spoken at the school, lending itself to more diversity than official statistics suggest.

"It's a really welcoming environment here regardless of language here ," Owens-Bur said. "It starts with our staff here. We celebrate all of our students and different traditions equally."

Owens-Bur said that's accomplished by fostering an inclusive environment in the school that sets the tone for learning. Celebrating each student's unique background and perspective is achieved in a variety of ways: a reading program implemented five years ago that gives students a voice in their reading curriculum has paid dividends, she said. In addition, College Park's open-concept means that teachers are willing to work together more often, and mentoring programs pair older students with younger ones who are new to the school.

That culture is aptly exemplified in the school's pledge - a measure of consideration and upstanding that was crafted by the students.

“In a caring school, we will build a strong community that is free of bullying. We will choose our attitudes wisely and respect one another by showing empathy for the feelings of all people in our school.”

The eight schools, 2018 nominees for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, are:

• Bannach Elementary School, Stevens Point
• College Park Elementary School, Greendale
• Flynn Elementary School, Eau Claire
• Gibraltar Elementary School, Gibraltar
• Iron River Elementary School, Maple School District
• Parkview Elementary School, New London
• Prairie View Elementary School, De Soto
• Roosevelt Elementary School, Kenosha

Schools nominated to the program must complete the Blue Ribbon Schools application and undergo the national review process. Typically announced in September, awards are presented to up to eight Wisconsin public schools that fall into one or both of 1) Exemplary High Performing Schools, that score in the top 15 percent on state assessments; and 2) Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools, that score in the top 15 percent on the Closing Gaps Priority Area of Wisconsin’s School Report Cards.

“Our schools strive every day to provide kids with learning opportunities that will prepare them to graduate college and career ready,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission