News

Greenport Elementary wins ‘Blue Ribbon’ award

Greenport Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education today.
It
is one of 19 schools statewide and one of two on Long Island to be
honored by the national program that recognizes high-achieving schools
and most improved student performance in line with the government’s
commitment to raise educational standards.
“We are on cloud nine,”
Superintendent Michael Comanda said. He credited former superintendent
Charles Kozora with bringing in the Reading First program several years
ago and former elementary school principal Paul Read for carrying the
torch forward with the program.
Student performance in math also improved, Mr. Comanda said.
“It’s about believing in the kids,” Mr. Comanda said. “It’s expecting them to do well and expecting teachers to do well.”
Mr.
Read will go to Washington in November to receive the Blue Ribbon Award
from President Barack Obama. He is likely to be accompanied by one of
the elementary school teachers, Mr. Comanda said, noting that only two
people from each Blue Ribbon School are able to attend the ceremony at
the White House.
“We’re going to see what doors this opens,” Mr.
Comanda said, explaining that the designation doesn’t carry any specific
financial award.
But it’s a spur to students and staff members to continue to strive for success, the superintendent said.
[email protected]