Hawaii’s Blue Ribbon Schools announced
Heeia Elementary School students and staff pose for cameras after their school was announced as one of three Hawaii Blue Ribbon campuses for 2012.
Enchanted Lake, Heeia and Hokulani elementary schools have been selected to represent Hawaii in the 2012 national Blue Ribbon Schools program.
The announcement was made at a ceremony today in Waikiki.
The Blue Ribbon program honors schools that have made big gains or that have test scores in the top 10 percent for the state in both reading and math.
Enchanted Lake Elementary Principal Puaala McElhaney said she was floored when she heard her school’s name being called as a Hawaii Blue Ribbon winner.
"It was a congratulations to all of our teachers and our students," she said.
The Hawaii Blue Ribbon schools received $3,000 from event sponsor Frito-Lay.
Hokulani Elementary School Principal Alan Ramos said some that money will go toward buying cake and ice cream for his students to celebrate their designation. The rest, he said, will probably go toward buying new technology for classrooms.
Since 1988, 63 Hawaii public schools have been nominated to the national Blue Ribbon Schools program, and 43 have received national Blue Ribbon honors.
