Woodlawn Middle School earns a Blue Ribbon award

Woodlawn Middle School celebrated its Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education with fanfare on Dec. 11 in the Country Meadows/Woodlawn joined gymnasiums.

The Woodlawn Chorus, directed by Linda Rosen, the orchestra, conducted by Rhea Davis, and the band, conducted by Chad Craw, each performed a selection.

The students also enjoyed a photo montage set to music by Technology Director Howard Frishman, a performance by the Woodlawn Poms, and the closing segment, when students were literally dancing in the aisles.

Dignitaries who accepted the invitation to attend and speak included: U.S. Department of Education Senior Public Affairs Specialist Julie Ewart; Buffalo Grove Village President Elliott Hartstein, Kildeer Village President Nandia Black, Long Grove Village President Maria Rodriguez, a representative from Congresswoman Melissa Bean's office, District 96 school board President Marc Tepper, Student Council President Lauren Carrell, Superintendent Thomas W. Many, Woodlawn Principal Greg Grana and former Woodlawn Principal Christine Jakicic.

Ewart told the students that only 314 schools nationwide were recognized with 2009 U.S.D.E Blue Ribbon honors and only 35 public middle schools in the United States earned the honor in 2009.

This is the third consecutive year a District 96 school has been awarded a U.S.D.E Blue Ribbon: Twin Groves Middle School was recognized in 2007 and Ivy Hall Elementary School earned the honor in 2008. The first school in District 96 to earn national accreditation was Willow Grove Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children in 2004.

Superintendent Many commented that it is noteworthy that Woodlawn Middle School earned the Blue Ribbon in only 10 years: the school opened in fall 1999.

For more details and photos, visit district96.k12.il.us/about/2009-2010_news_photo/W_blueribbon091509.htm.