Holy Family School National Blue Ribbon a big surprise for students

A few famous folks stopped by to surprise students at Holy Family School on Wednesday when Principal Sally Sternberg called a convocation to announce the school’s National Blue Ribbon Status.

As one of only 50 schools across the nation to receive a National Blue Ribbon award this year, Sternberg wanted the announcement to be special. She and her staff had stayed after school Monday night hanging blue and silver streamers and stars and preparing signs and star-shaped balloons to greet the still unaware student body.

On Tuesday morning, Sternberg met the students at the entrance of the school with blue and white pompoms and a completely redecorated school. A large sign congratulated the students for an achievement, an as yet identified achievement, met them as they walked through the halls of the school.

Then blue cake was served with lunch and still the students didn’t quite know whatthe big deal was. “We were all really confused,” said Gillian Blessinger, an eighth grader and the student council president. “We didn’t know what was going on. They told us we were getting an award but it wasn’t an Indiana award. And we saw the stars and wondered if we had received another star.”

Holy Family School was awarded Four Star School status by the State of Indiana in May of this year. But, according to Gillian, teachers added to the confusion by telling them the award wasn’t from the state.

Finally, students filed into the auditorium at about 2 p.m. to hear a special announcement but as Sternberg attempted to tell the students what all the fuss was about, she kept getting interrupted.

First, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, or Charmaine Oxford the middle school science teacher, walked in. “Excuse me,” Oxford said to the students’ laughter. “Would you mind if I stayed to join you to see what good work the Lord has began here at Holy Family School.”

A moment later, Cinderella, middle school math teacher Denise Miller, appeared and read from a letter, “It says here that your students all passed the math in 2011. Good heavens, I am sure the fairy godmother didn’t just wave her wand and say ‘bippity bippity boo.’ May I stay for awhile.”

Then Uncle Si — from the popular show Duck Dynasty —, language arts teacher Kristi Wehr, appeared to roaring laughter from the kids. “I see your ISTEP scores were in the top 15 percent in English,” she said. “I ain’t the best at English but I do know you can’t spell squirrel without Si, and that’s me. I just wanted to stop by cuz these Holy Family students are on the ball and that’s a fact Jack.”

Finally, Peyton Manning, kindergarten teacher Shelley Weinzapfel in complete football garb and an Indianapolis Colts jersey appeared. “I heard there was something going on here at Holy Family School and I figured I would wear my blue and white since that is your school colors,” she said. “I heard you were one in 50, that’s horrible. Oh wait, one in 50 in the nation. I think I’ll stick around to see what that’s about.”

Diocese of Evansville Bishop Charles Thompson then stood up from his seat behind the students and pulled an iPad from a package to hand to Sternberg. “Please instruct Principal Sternberg to play the iMovie during the all-school assembly,” he read from a letter from Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education. “Congratulations on this special award. This recognition exemplifies the commitment Holy Family has in providing its students with an excellent faith-based education.”

In a dramatic movie teaser-trailer fashion, the students watched as photos of them hard at work or play flashed to the finale announcing they had been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2013; and they erupted into cheering and clapping.

Sternberg explained that Holy Family School was one of 286 schools awarded this year. “There are 50 that are private schools like us that are being recognized. So now you’re not one of 286, you are one of 50,” she told the students. “But you’re not just one of 50; you’re also one of 12, and doesn’t that sound even more awesome? One of 12 schools in the entire state of Indiana. I am so proud of every one of you.”

As a private school, Holy Family School has a bit more administrative work to complete to be considered for the award. A 46-page application has to be completed to be included in the list of schools to be considered and ISTEP scores play a heavy role in the final determination. Holy Family has about 149 students that would have tested this year in those grades at the small school. Because of its small student body, every child’s performance is very important on the test.

“One kiddo could knock us way below that top 15 percent,” Sternberg explained. “It is pretty difficult to achieve.”

Pine Ridge Elementary also joined the 286 schools named as a National Blue Ribbon School. They are planning a special convocation after the awards are received in November. Students were met with blue pancakes and a special announcement on Tuesday.