ASHLAND — "We are No. 1, where learning is fun!”
Sung by kindergartners and first graders to the tune of “Grand Old Flag,” the words floated over the front lawn of Hager Elementary School Friday morning.
All of Hager’s students, clear up to sixth grade, turned out along with teachers, parents and civic officials to cheer the school’s selection as a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School.
“This is a great day for everyone in Hager’s past, for everyone in Hager’s present, and for everyone in Hager’s future,” said principal Linda Calhoun.
The school dressed itself up in blue ribbons and balloons and its children in matching blue t-shirts to display their pride. Each class got a turn to cheer on their school.
Fourth-grader Ty Duckwyler, who won the contest his class held for the best blue-ribbon poster, showed off his red-framed creation and explained: The image depicts two ribbons, one with the slogan “We always do our best,” and the other declaring “We respect our friends and teachers.”
Calhoun has saved a place in the hall to hang the poster.
Angie Calvert, the sixth-grader who wrote the best essay, read her composition: “Hager is like one big loving family.” It’s a place where the kids think of teachers as their friends, she said.
The elementary years are crucial, said David Shattles, who was principal from 1996 to 2000. “The elementary experience is the most important by far in developing the love of knowledge,” he said.
Hager was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education and is one of 314 nationwide this year. Just six of those are in Kentucky.
Schools are chosen based on academic superiority or dramatic gains in student achievement. The distinction is quite a big deal, said Superintendent Steve Gilmore. When he met new state education commissioner Terry Holliday for the first time recently and identified his district, “(Holliday’s) immediate response was, ‘You have a Blue Ribbon School,’” Gilmore said.
Students also raised a Blue Ribbon flag that will fly in front of the school and released balloons to commemorate the occasion.
Local News
Related Photos
-
John Flavell
Discussion
Blue ribbon pride
Hager students cheer for accomplishments
- Local News
-
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
A motorcyclist from Ohio was killed after crashing on Ky. 59 near Scotts Branch Road on Saturday.
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Weekly business column from Tim Preston.
-
Come on in!
It’s time to grab a towel, some sunscreen and your shades — pools in the Tri-State are nearing their opening dates and are bound to provide some days of fun this summer.
-
Pooches take to the street in Dog Jog
They were running with the big dogs Saturday in Grayson.
-
A Smith Branch Legacy
Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home.
-
Court battle heating up over stretch of blacktop
The court fight is just heating up over a block-long stretch of blacktop in Grayson.
More parties are piling on in the lawsuit accusing Grayson of passing an illegal ordinance to take ownership of the pavement. -
Regional jails ‘a total failure’
As the debate over a proposal to create a new Northeast Regional Jail Authority continues, some officials with the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville are watching closely.
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
