Lake Orion Schools can add another Blue Ribbon Award to their growing list.
Orion Oaks Elementary was the latest to receive the honor, with a special Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award ceremony held at the school on Joslyn Road on April 15.
The Michigan Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon program began in 1982, and recognized schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence.
The US Department of Education eliminated the program in 2002, and replaced it with a new program focused entirely on test scores, but the state board of education elected to maintain the previous program.
State school board president Kathleen Straus presented the award to Orion Oaks Principal Brian Kaplan, and state school board vice president Elizabeth Bauer presented Kaplan with a certificate from the state.
Orion Oaks also received special recognition and a certificate from state senator Mike Bishop and state representative James Marleau.
The Orion Oaks fifth-grade performed a song, ‘Today is the Day,? and students read essays titled ‘Why I love Orion Oaks.?
Dr. Craig Younkman, superintendent of Lake Orion Schools, who will retire in July, congratulated Orion Oaks at the ceremony, saying it was a ‘celebration of a lot of hard work.?
He said the Orion Oaks? program has students divided into different ‘neighborhoods,? which makes the school unique.
‘The family of students and staff are learning together on a daily basis,? Younkman said. ‘It’s an endorsement to the community as well.?
Straus said out of 3,500 schools in Michigan, only 32 elementary schools received a Blue Ribbon this year.
‘You have to be excellent for five years,? she said of the process to earn the award.
Kaplan thanked the 628 students at Orion Oaks, as well as the 51 members of the staff, of whom he said ‘they are tireless in their efforts to make children successful.?
Kaplan also thanked former Orion Oaks co-principal Melanie O’Neil, now director of Early Childhood in the district.
‘Orion Oaks is extremely proud to be selected for this honor,? he said. ‘This prestigious award is a tribute to our exceptional staff, wonderful students and our extremely involved, supportive parents.?