McCook Elementary wins Blue Ribbon status

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard was notified Wednesday that McCook Elementary has been designated as a Blue Ribbon School.

McCook Elementary is one of 329 schools nationwide who received the blue ribbon award and one of four schools in Nebraska that were designated with the award.

Other schools in Nebraska awarded are Crofton Junior/Senior High, Crofton, Neb., Fullerton Elementary, Fullerton, Neb., and Stapleton Elementary, Stapleton, Neb.

Norgaard, McCook Elementary principal Tim Garcia and third grade teachers Tara Fries and Megan Soundy will travel to Washington, D. C. on Nov. 7 and 8 for an official presentation of the award.

"It's absolutely wonderful for the staff, teachers and support staff, to be recognized for all the hard work and passion they put in every day," Garcia said. "To be recognized nationally, it's an honor." Garcia added that all the teachers in the district are to be commended as well.

"Truth be told, we are a team and interdependent on each other so it's really an award for the whole district." A party for the school is being planned for the near future.

The Blue Ribbon program is awarded through the U.S. Department of Education to schools that show consistent excellence or make progress in closing gaps in student achievement. McCook Elementary was nominated as an "Exemplary High Performing" school, with 97 percent of third graders in 2015 meeting or exceeding state benchmark testing scores in reading and 91 percent in math.

In 2016, 96 percent of third graders met or exceeded benchmarks in reading and 90 percent in math.