Davis Drive Elementary Celebrates Blue Ribbon, School of Excellence Honors

October 29, 2001 - Students cheered as Principal Patricia Andrews held up the flag Davis Drive Elementary earned when recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Andrews led a celebration Friday afternoon (Oct. 26) on the lawn in front of the school to celebrate the school's recognition and she was joined by NC First Lady Mary Easley, Congressman David Price, State Board of Education Chair Phil Kirk, Wake school board members Bill Fletcher and Jeff York, school administrators, PTA leaders, parents, and students.

Andrews described her meeting the day before in Washington where the nation's 264 Blue Ribbon Schools were honored.

"We had a surprise visitor. It was Mrs. Bush," Andrews said. "Mrs. Bush wanted all the principals to tell the boys and girls how proud she is of them and how proud she is for you to continue doing what you have been doing: going to school and being good students, helping out at home, because that's what makes this country the great country that it is."

Andrews showed students the flag and plaques she had brought back for the school.

"This plaque will be on our building forever and ever, so when you have children, they can come back and see this award," she promised.

The 18-year-old Blue Ribbon Schools program spotlights some of the nation's most successful schools by honoring excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement and parental involvement. Two Wake County Schools, Davis Drive Elementary and Wiley Elementary, earned Blue Ribbon School recognition this year.

Davis Drive Elementary was also recognized by Kirk as a School of Excellence with more than 90 percent of the school's students scoring at or above grade level on the state's End-of-grade testing last year.

"I came today on behalf of Gov. Easley and State Superintendent of Education Mike Ward to thank you and to congratulate you," Kirk told the students. "You are very special. You are special because the First Lady is here today, because Congressman Price is here, and you are special because you didn't win one award, you won two. You are one of the very few schools in the state that has gotten the School of Excellence Award four times."

When Schools of Excellence were first recognized four years ago, Davis Drive Elementary was one of twelve to earn the honor. This year, Davis Drive is one of 181. Kirk said that Davis Drive was the first of more than 60 schools he planned to visit and recognize as a School of Excellence.

Kirk enlisted the help of Mrs. Easley and Congressman Price in marching the School of Excellence banner before the cheering students. School board member Bill Fletcher led the students in cheering 'well done' and board member Jeff York congratulated the students, parents, teachers, and staff for their hard work and accomplishments.

"To you our students, this is your award," Andrews said. "I want to you remember this for a long time. This is very, very special that you would get School of Excellence and National Blue Ribbon in the same year. It is quiet an accomplishment, five years worth of work, lots of studying. Enjoy it. You have done a good job."

Students waved flags, sang 'God Bless America' and capped off the afternoon with a long, loud cheer.

"Our school was honored for doing something special," fifth-graders Cole and Jessica explained after the event. "We've been working really hard." They said they had a lot of help from their teachers, staff, PTA, and parents.

Davis Drive Elementary

Blue Ribbon Schools