White Hall Elementary School is among one of 320 schools in the nation to be named a 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School.
The announcement was made Tuesday by United States Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.
“White Hall Elementary has proven to be a school that is student-centered because of the high expectations set for every student,” said Superintendent Tommy Floyd. “White Hall Elementary is a shining example of a school community that uses formative learning results to identify and establish assistance when a student struggles.”
White Hall Elementary was one of nine elementary schools in the district that met Adequate Yearly Progress according to NCLB requirements this year. White Hall also scored among the top performing schools statewide on the Kentucky Core Content Test last year — increasing their academic index from 115.5 in 2006 to 118.9 in 2007. White Hall’s test scores continue to far exceed the state’s expectations — scoring more than 120 in five content areas this year.
“Our staff has shown tremendous teamwork and dedication to each and every child that walks through our door,” said White Hall Principal Randy Neeley. “This is certainly an award that everyone in the White Hall community can be proud of — staff, students, and parents.”
White Hall Elementary was one of five schools in Kentucky to receive the honor this year. The others included Veterans Park Elementary in Lexington, Our Lady of Lourdes in Louisville, May Valley Elementary in Martin and Highland Elementary in Owensboro.
“For the past several years, the Madison County School System has observed the staff at White Hall Elementary as they establish specific new goals for targeted students which has resulted in continuous improvement and extremely high achievement,” Floyd said.
The NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. The schools are based on one of two criteria:
• Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; and
• Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.
“White Hall Elementary has reached and surpassed the Kentucky Department of Education 2014 school goal for the past several years,” Floyd said. “Randy Neeley has exhibited quality instructional leadership that takes student-centered data and applies it to daily practice. He and his staff have created a school culture that centers on individual student achievement.”
White Hall Elementary serves about 630 students in preschool through fifth grade.
Winners of the NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools awards are invited to attend an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20-21.
“It is my hope that the district further examines White Hall Elementary’s current best practices and duplicates them across the board,” Floyd said.
Local News
No Child Left Behind
White Hall named Blue Ribbon School
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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