May 1 was a day of rejoicing throughout the 96-square-mile Oxford school district as Lakeville and Leonard elementaries formally received their Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School awards.
‘It’s wonderful to celebrate two Blue Ribbon awards in one district. It’s just great,? said Kathleen Straus, president of the Michigan State Board of Education. ‘We set high standards (for Michigan schools) because we know that if we set high expectations, our students will live up to them. And you certainly are proving that.?
Students and parents from both elementary schools jam-packed the 806-seat Oxford High School Performing Arts Center for the special ceremony (see photos on page 28) filled with speeches, presentations and stirring musical performances from the Super Singers and orchestra students.
As she gazed out into the sea of excited pupils, Leonard Elementary Principal Joyce Brasington noted it’s their ‘hard work and positive attitude (that) validate we are exemplary schools.?
‘You are the reason there is a Leonard Elementary and a Lakeville Elementary,? she said ‘And we so appreciate everything you do in our buildings each and every day.?
Established in 1982, the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Program recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to education excellence and significant academic improvement over five years.
The program identifies and recognizes outstanding schools, gives them criteria to assess themselves and plan improvements, and encourages them to share their ‘best practices for educational success? with other schools.
Brasington, who’s also a Lakeville parent, praised the staff of both schools for making these Blue Ribbon awards possible with their ‘strong focus? on academics and student achievement each and every day.
‘Every adult in our two buildings provides individual and caring support for students,? she said. ‘They are passionate about what they do and who they do it for.?
Lakeville Elementary Principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall thanked all of her and Brasington’s colleagues for providing ‘inspiration, support, amazing and nutritious lunches, clean and efficient buildings, organized yet caring school offices, fabulous publications, instructional leadership and more importantly friendships.?
Gibson-Marshall credited the school’s former principal, Sharon Karpinski, who retired in 2007 after nine years at the school, with laying the foundation for the Blue Ribbon award.
‘Sharon built an amazing Lakeville Elementary School from the ground up,? she said. ‘She infused the school with a passion for meeting students? needs and the FISH philosophy that encourages having fun while we work. Even in her retirement, she continues to inspire us.?
Although it was noted the Blue Ribbon application process for Lakeville and Leonard began in January 2008, Brasington said for her school it went back much further.
‘In reality, Leonard Elementary began this journey over 100 years ago,? she explained. ‘It was in 1887 when the teacher rang the first bell on the site where our school is currently located.?
Since then, the school has burned and been completely rebuilt twice, once in 1890 and again in 1934.
‘Over and over again the community has rallied to support our school and students,? Brasington said. ‘Our school remains a point of pride for our local community.?
That pride is evident by the intense support Leonard receives from its parents.
‘Our parent involvement is extraordinary,? Brasington said. ‘Parent volunteers are in our building working with individual (students) and groups of students throughout the day.?
Gibson-Marshall summed things up nicely when she said, ‘To our fortune, Lakeville and Leonard elementary schools possess . . . incredible students, passionate staff members and amazing parents and community members.?
‘In Oxford Community Schools, we have an extraordinary team of people that inspire our students to learn, to grow, to care and to achieve,? she said.