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Foxx Congratulates Winston-Salem's Whitaker Elementary on National Blue Ribbon Award
Whitaker Named One of Nation’s 269 Finest for Preparing Students for Future Success

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC – 05) is proud to congratulate Winston-Salem’s own Whitaker Elementary School on its designation today as one of the United States’ 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The announcement of Whitaker’s achievement was made today by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

“Whitaker Elementary School has made Winston-Salem and all of North Carolina proud,” Congresswoman Virginia Foxx stated. “Its status as a National Blue Ribbon School reflects countless hours of hard work on the part of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Congratulations to each of them! It is wonderful to know that children are being so well prepared at Whitaker Elementary School for bright, successful futures.”

“Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. “Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future.”

Whitaker Elementary, and other honorees, will be recognized at a November awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Whitaker’s principal, Mrs. Brenda Herman, and one Whitaker teacher will be invited to the event where they will receive a National Blue Ribbon Schools placard and a flag to signify the school’s great achievement.

Schools were designated as Blue Ribbon based upon the marked improvement in standardized test scores achieved by their student bodies, or by overall national excellence in reading and math test performance.

Education Department heads from each of the fifty states nominate public schools for Blue Ribbon recognition. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools.

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