Blanchard Elementary School celebrates Blue Ribbon designation

Students and teachers at Blanchard Elementary danced and cheered Wednesday as they celebrated being named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

The elementary is one of eight Missouri public schools and 335 public and private schools nationwide to receive the award, which recognizes academic excellence.

"We have a 2015 National Blue Ribbon because of you," principal Barbara Kohlfeld said to students at an assembly. "Because you work hard every single day, and you are so nice to your teachers and your friends. And you do your homework every night, you study for tests, you make good grades and you listen and follow instructions.

"We're here because of you. We're celebrating you."

The assembly was filled with students and teachers wearing blue shirts, pants, socks, boas, wigs and even blue-man spandex suits, and blue ribbons decorated the school.

Blanchard first was named one of eight schools in Missouri's Gold Star Schools program, enabling the school to apply for the Blue Ribbon award this year.

Kohlfeld and several teachers prepared the application for months before submitting it to the Department of Education, she said, and the school's test scores from the past three years were reviewed by the department.

The winners will be recognized in November at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger spoke at the assembly and congratulated the faculty, staff and students on their national achievement.

"We talk a lot in our city about quality of life, and it's going to be great as we talk about our city to say we have a National Blue Ribbon School in our public schools," he said. "What an achievement, not only for yourselves, for the school district, but for the city of Cape Girardeau."

Superintendent Jim Welker said the recognition is a great moment for the school district.

"When I was about your age, I used to show livestock at the fair," he told the students. "I'd be so excited when I got a blue ribbon. Well, let me tell you, this is much more exciting for me than getting a blue ribbon for my cow or calf that I showed at the fair. This is a fantastic accomplishment."

Welker said Blanchard is a great school because of its teachers and students who are committed and ready to learn.

"It also takes great leadership, and here you have a great leader in Dr. Kohlfeld," he said. "She is a true servant leader, and we appreciate having her at Blanchard."

Teacher Mary Ann Lewis led student cheers and said the school's focus always has been to provide children with a place where they could learn while feeling safe and loved.

"Our goal every day is to think about you," she said, adding that Kohlfeld tells the students each morning: "Don't forget, boys and girls, that you go to Blanchard, the school with a heart, and you are filled with love and kindness, and we're going to have the best day ever."

klamb@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3639

Pertinent address:

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

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