National Blue Ribbon Announcement
Dear Deerfield Elementary Parents and Families,
It’s official! The United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan designated Deerfield
Elementary School a National Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence! Schools may be
recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools or as Exemplary Gap Closing Schools.
Deerfield is recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School for consistently demonstrating
that all students can achieve high academic levels.
The New York State Department of Education and the US Department of Education based selections
on data ranging from 2008-2013. All students had to perform in the top 15 percent of all schools in
New York State on the 2013 English Language Arts and mathematics assessments.
On November 11, 2014, The United States Department of Education will recognize Deerfield
Elementary School at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. We will share this honor with 287 public
schools and 50 private across the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Department of Defense
Education Agency schools in Germany and Japan. We will receive a plaque and a flag to
symbolize our status as National Blue Ribbon School! In its 32-year history, the National Blue
Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on just under 7,900 of America’s
schools.
As you know, it takes a team to accomplish great things; thank you for being a part of our team.
Your continued support and dedication is greatly appreciated. Thank you for sharing your children
with us.
Sincerely,
Kelli McGowan
Deerfield Elementary Principal