Six area schools receive state Promise Awards

Schools in the Bruce, Flambeau, Ladysmith-Hawkins and Weyerhaeuser Area school districts were recently named Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition.

Schools recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction were:

— Bruce High School.

— Bruce Middle School (5).

— Flambeau High School.

— Ladysmith Elementary (6).

— Ladysmith Middle School (2).

— Weyerhaeuser Elementary (3).

The numbers in parenthesis indicates the number of consecutive years each school has received the award. Twenty-two schools statewide have received the award for five or more years.

The recognition goes to schools that have some of the highest poverty rates in the state, based on free-and-reduced price school lunch data. Additionally, student achievement on statewide reading and mathematics assessments in these schools is higher than the state average for schools with similar poverty rates and grade configurations.

The schools also made adequate yearly progress for the past two years as defined under federal education laws, known as the No Child Left Behind Act. Finally, the schools are Title I eligible or receive Title I funding. Title I is a federal program that provides funds for a variety of services to school districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children who are economically disadvantaged. Ladysmith school administrator Chris Poradish called the awards “a very impressive accomplishment that is truly a testament to the great job that our students and staff members are doing.”

“It is also important to note that the high school qualified for the award based on their high academic achievements as well, but their percentage of free/reduced lunch participants was not large enough to satisfy the requirements for state level recognition,” Poradish said.

Bruce school administrator Deb Brown noted the middle and high schools there received the awards, but also acknowledged the elementary for laying the groundwork early for students’ success in later years.

“The elementary staff worked hard to get children to a level where they are better prepared academically,” Brown said.

Flambeau School District Administrator Bill Pfalzgraf credited staff and students for their hard work.

“The award is something that shows that all schools can achieve,” Pfalzgraf said. “Our students and teachers work hard to close the achievement gap.”

In announcing this year’s 137 Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition, State Superintendent Tony Evers said, “We’re starting the 2009-10 school year with a spotlight on what is right in education: schools that help disadvantaged students make academic progress.”

Schools meeting all four criteria will receive award plaques at an Oct. 20 ceremony at the State Capitol and $2,000 for use by the school. During the ceremony, seven schools will receive flags for earning the Wisconsin Promise School of Recognition award for five consecutive years. Another 15 schools have received the award for more than five years.

Brown added Bruce schools will likely use the cash award to purchase additional technology like smartboards for school classrooms.

Weyerhaeuser Area School District Administrator Dennis Richards called the award a “feather in the cap” for both staff and students.” “We are proud of our staff and students who achieved this distinction. Not every school in the state gets it.”

“While each of these schools is unique, they share some common traits that contribute to students’ academic success,” Evers said. “These schools know that educating children is a partnership that requires commitment by teachers, parents, administrators, other staff members, and the community to create an environment that supports every student. Through this partnership, these schools work to ensure every child graduates with the tools to be productive citizens ready for the workforce or further education.”