Blanchard applies to be Blue Ribbon school

Teachers and students at Blanchard Elementary on Thursday morning celebrated as principal Barbara Kohlfeld submitted the school's application for a Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes schools whose students achieve at very high levels or schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

Blanchard Elementary was named one of eight schools in Missouri's Gold Star Schools program, enabling the school to apply. The criteria of Missouri's Gold Star Schools program is aligned with the national Blue Ribbon Schools program.

Kohlfeld and seven teachers have been preparing the application during the past few months. They will find out in September whether they'll receive the Blue Ribbon.

Kohlfeld said Blanchard's greatest strengths are the school's culture and teachers, and that is what she stressed in the application.

"When people visit, they immediately feel like they're getting a big hug," she said. "And my goal as principal is that the kids will be very successful academically and that they will be happy, and I want them to feel very safe.

"When kids are in an environment that's so nurturing and safe, they can just give all their time and attention to learning, because they know they're in a really great place."

klamb@semissourian.com

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1829 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.