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NBRS Express Newsletter

June 2019

Welcome to the Summer 2019 NBRS Express Newsletter.

Upon ending the school year, we once again congratulations all the 2018 NBR schools. They have had all sorts of celebrations since the November ceremony and have generously shared their events via social media using #nbrs2018. May your successes live on!

Since the last newsletter, the NBRS team has visited and interviewed staff at a handful of 2018 NBR schools. In addition to these profiles, we added practice descriptions to the NBRS website for all to learn from.

To keep you up-to-date on the 2019 NBRS cohort, the schools finalized their applications. They are waiting for the September announcement and award ceremony in November. We are looking forward to welcoming them into the NBRS family.

In the meantime, I hope your summer is like a little box – full of surprises with family and friends!

Many thanks for all you do to improve the education of our children.

 Aba Kumi,
Director of the NBRS Program,
U.S. Department of Education

In this edition:

Rotating NBRS Website Homepage Photos

Thank you to all the celebration photos from the 2018 cohort schools!  We selected four schools to be featured on NBRS website homepage with the following schedule:

What Makes 2018 NBR Schools Successful?

What key practices are instrumental to #nbrs2018 awardees school success? Instruction and Student Supports lead the pack. Read all about the practices and school examples.

New Video Profiles!

Each year, the NBRS program features videos that highlight and share successful school practices of awarded schools.
This year’s videos include:
No Excuses: Sustaining Success at a Former Turnaround School. Teachers and school leaders from Evergreen Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington explain how the implementation of a “No Excuses” model helped them improve and sustain their success over the long term.

Bringing High School to College. Lorenzo Walker Technical High School in Naples, Florida, shares a campus and a vision for success with its partner institution, Lorenzo Walker Technical College. Educators explain how the school has flourished despite some early challenges, and students share what they love about their high school and college experience.

Posted Videos Coming Soon

  • Lusher Charter School (New Orleans, LA) – A K-12 school where teachers and artists-in-residence collaborative integrate arts across the academic curriculum and build a school culture that celebrates expression.
  • Paramount School of Excellence (Indianapolis, IN) – A K-8 charter school with green initiatives, a space science  center, and an urban farm that helps students understand their world through exploratory learning and embedded environmental education.

Announcing: New Podcasts of 2018 Schools!

Hear Dr. Alexander Ofili of Village Oaks Elementary School (MI) describe the school’s process and culture promoting core values through HEART.

Listen here.

Principal Elliott Southard of Mount Lebanon Elementary School (SC) highlights how the school expanded on a STEM theme to create a teaching and learning culture matched to the way young students learn. 

Listen here.

Effective Practices from 2018 Schools Added!


The 2018 review focused on practices in: Arts Education, Civic Engagement, Extended Learning Opportunities, Parent and Family Engagement, STEM Education, Student-Centered Instruction, Student Leadership, and Whole Child Education.

The highlighted practices in the 2018 schools represent the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, and Tennessee.

NBRS Practice Feature: Whole Child Education

Learn more about the different ways that NBRS elementary and secondary schools are providing whole child education.
 
Examples of specific practices include:
  • Successful Mindsets and Behaviors
  • Staying Fit and Eating Healthy
  • POWER Time and Videos

2019 Applicant Reactions

Current applicants commented on the NBRS application process:
  • The process provided our school the opportunity to reflect on our “glows and grows.”
  • It was an excellent reflective process and helped clarify and confirm the direction we should go in the coming years.
  • The application process was succinct and allowed the opportunity to comment on every aspect of our school community.

It's a Wrap!
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Team


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