Poe Elementary Receives 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award

Congresswoman Kelly congratulates school on its success
Congresswomen Robin Kelly is joined by students at the Poe Elementary School
Congresswomen Robin Kelly is joined by students at the Poe Elementary School

Poe Elementary Receives 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award Congresswoman Kelly congratulates school on its success

Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School was one of 342 schools recently recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2017.

The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance

or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed

recognition on more than 8,500 schools.

In November, the Secretary and the Department of Education celebrated with

the honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

All schools were honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

Exemplary high performing schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary achievement gap closing schools are among their state's highest

performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years.

Poe was recognized as an exemplary, high-performing school.

“It is a tremendous honor for Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School to be named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School for exemplary high performance,” said Eric Dockery, principal at Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School.

“It's almost unimaginable that our little school, located in the Pullman Community on the southside of Chicago is counted among the top

schools in the nation.

We are extremely proud of this accomplishment,” he added. “It validates the innovations that we have implemented in ourschool, and it inspires us to work

even harder to create the best educational experience for our students,” Dockery stated.

Achievement is the school’s highest priority, he said, adding, the school believes students need to be more prepared for success in the 21st Century.

Leadership and service are additional pillars of the school's mission. “We act locally, but think globally,” he said.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year while the Department of Education invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE), according to a released statement.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly recently paid a visit to Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School to congratulate parents, students and staff on earning the 2017 National Blue Ribbon School award. Only 25 Illinois schools received the prestigious honor in 2017 and according to Kelly, the award proves Poe is moving in the right direction.

“Poe is forward-thinking and has designed a curriculum that’s successfully preparing students for 21st Century careers,” she said.

The school has, “created a real school community,” she added, “where parents, faculty and staff support student success through all-embracing support for students as they work to achieve their goals.”

“I think it takes a community,” Kelly continued. “Getting parents involved is very important and Poe does this well,” she said.

“In today’s economy, technology skills are critical to student success,” Kelly

added.

As a federal lawmaker, she said one of her top priorities is ensuring students graduate career-ready.

“If we want students to be career-ready at graduation, we need to invest in computer science and technical education,” she said.

To help expose students in her district to the STEM fields, Kelly has formed traveling STEM boot camps in partnership with professionals across the STEM fields.

The boot camps visit local schools throughout the district to create interest and excitement for science and technology.

Kelly, who has introduced several bills to help Illinois students succeed, including the Today’s American Dream Act (H.R. 3839) added, the bill, “increases the number of computer science teachers in our schools by helping them to pay for their education in exchange for teaching our students the skills they will need in today’s and tomorrow’s job market.” It would also expand aid for technical programs that provide industry-recognized certification, expand work opportunity tax credits for summer jobs, invest in apprenticeship programs, increase the number of computer science teachers in classrooms and plus-up existing training and re-training programs, she stated.

Each year in October, Kelly hosts a hiring event for residents of the 2nd Congressional District. In April, she focuses on young people by hosting the annual Youth Job Fair and Resource Expo.

The events are a great opportunity for people of all ages who are seeking employment or looking for new or better opportunities, she says.

Her last hiring event attracted over 300 job-seekers and featured more than 70

companies and agencies with active job openings.

“As I organize my job fairs, my first priority is recruiting companies that have open jobs right now. Too many people are still struggling to find a job or a better job, helping them make the connection is my first priority,” stated Kelly.

The idea is to find and recruit companies that are excelling in today’s 21st century economy, Kelly added. The goal is to get people a job, “that will be around for “decades.,” she said.

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