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www.newbuffalotimes.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
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Staff, parents, and students celebrate New Buffalo Elementary School’s 2020 National Blue Ribbon BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
t takes a village to run a Blue Ribbon School. A village – of teachers and students, of parents, a school resource officer, a cafeteria staff, a technology department, and much more. This was what was revealed to a crowd of teachers, students, parents, and other members of the community during a special assembly that was held Tuesday, Aug. 31, that recognized New Buffalo Elementary School being named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School. “Last year, we were not able to celebrate this milestone in person and we feel it’s important to do so,” Adam Bowen, principal at New Buffalo Elementary School, said. Bowen said the school was one out of 367 schools in the nation to receive the award last year, with only 15 schools from Michigan being recognized for the accomplishment. “If put this into perspective, there are about 130,000 K-12 schools in the United States and 3,350 of those schools are in the state of Michigan, so the chance of receiving this award is less than one half of a percent,” he said. It’s an accomplishment, Bowen said, that “involves a lot of people who deeply care about kids -especially our teaching staff.”
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Leslie speaks to parents, students and teachers
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the safety of everyone who enters the “Also, it has taken several years building. of initiatives, implementation with The cafeteria staff fuels students’ fidelity, hard work, stress, professional minds for learning by feeding them development, changes in our approach breakfast and lunch every day. of teaching, focusing on student Students are provided with topengagement and there wanting to be the notch technology from the technology best that there is,” Bowen added. department for Bus drivers in “all their learning the morning set needs.” a positive tone The secretarial for the day by staff also attentive greeting students to students’ as they get off the needs before, bus. during and after The custodial school. Children and maintenance “continue to staff put in a “lot be safe” after of time, effort school lets out and pride to in the school’s make NBES the award-winning best learning Bison Afterschool environment for Enrichment children to learn (BASE) program. in,” Bowen said. “The Children teachers, Title 1, are greeted by counselor, and paraprofessionals paraprofessionals and a guidance are the most counselor when dedicated they step off professionals the bus. School and servants to Resource Officer children – each Deputy Micheal one of these Troupe is also Kristi Pinette speaks professionals present to ensure during the ceremony
Teachers listen to Adam Bowen, principal (left) speak during the awards ceremony
Principal Adam Bowen thanks staff members, parents and students
knows the exact information a child needs in order to advance their learning whether it’s for intervention or enrichment purposes,” Bowen said. Bowen also credited the schools’ art, P.E., and Spanish programs, which further enrich students’ learning experience outside of the classroom. The well-balanced pre-K program focuses not only on academic needs but “social skills as well.” “Five years ago, when I took over the position of principal, Dr. Leslie really pushed us to focus on student growth – this was a shift from focusing on student achievement. Using NWEA assessment data, we’re able to meet the needs of all learners like none before,” he said.
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owen thanked the PTO for planning fun events and the board of education and business office for showing support. Bowen said to parents that the school is very lucky “to have you behind us to push your child to be the best.” He added that the teaching staff puts in “countless hours to provide the highest quality education to our students.” “If it wasn’t for the teachers, we wouldn’t be standing here tonight talking about a Blue Ribbon ceremony,” he said.
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An audience of parents and students gathered in the school’s gymnasium
