V'ville a Blue Ribbon school
The Enterprise — Jo E. Prout
New York State Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy congratulates students at Voorheesville Elementary School last Thursday during a Blue Ribbon Award ceremony. “Your hard work is being recognized, and recognized nationally,” Fahy said.
The Enterprise — Jo E. Prout
Voorheesville Elementary School children wait with mixed reactions for the school’s Blue Ribbon Award ceremony to begin last Thursday. Chance, the district’s therapy dog, also waits patiently with his friends.
The Enterprise — Jo E. Prout
Voorheesville Elementary School students last week were decked out head to toe — or boot — with blue paper ribbons to celebrate their success in having their alma mater named a Blue Ribbon School.
VOORHEESVILLE — Students and teachers created a sea of blue last week as they assembled to celebrate Voorheesville Elementary School’s designation as a Blue Ribbon School.
“You make it a Blue Ribbon School,” said Principal Thomas Reardon. “That’s why you’re wearing a ribbon.”
Reardon told the audience of students, parents, teachers, and local politicians that the New York State Department of Education invited Voorheesville to apply for Blue Ribbon status.
“What makes this a big deal?” Reardon asked.
Of the 132,197 public and private schools in the United States, he said, 337 schools received the Blue Ribbon award.
“You made that happen,” Reardon told the students.
Voorheesville Elementary was named a Blue Ribbon School once before, in 1991.
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy told the children that he was very proud of them, and he praised their community and their teachers.
“You are our future here. I’m honored…to stand here and say, ‘Thank you,’ to the students, and the teachers, and the principal,” McCoy said. “I get to brag, now, about this Blue Ribbon Award in Voorheesville.”
New York State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk encouraged the children’s celebration.
“This is a great school, right? You’ve all done an awesome job,” she said.
New York State Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy noted the efforts put in by teachers and students.
“Very few good things in life come without hard work,” Fahy said. “Your hard work is being recognized, and recognized nationally.”
Superintendent Theresa Thayer Snyder, whose opinions on education are known nationally, told the children about a discussion she had with a friend when they were looking for a place to work.
“We wanted ‘sizzle,’ ” Snyder said. “This community sizzles! I leave here, and my heart smiles. I’m happy.”
Snyder praised Voorheesville’s teachers as hard-working, and thanked Reardon for his efforts.
In the large gym, which had been decorated by staff with blue balloons and streamers, the children sang their Spirit song:
“You don't know what you can do, until you raise your expectations.”