Congresswoman Chellie Pingree congratulates school for academic excellence and integrating community into learning process
 
Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree congratulated the Kennebunkport Consolidated School for achieving national recognition from the Department of Education as only of only 300 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools across the country.
 
“I’m so proud of the committed teachers, parents, administrators, and community members who have made this school such a special and successful learning environment,” said Pingree.  “The school has done a great job of not only teaching its students essential skills, but also helping them grow as people and members of a community.  Integrating what their communities have to offer into the learning process is something Mainers really value—this school has definitely made it a recipe for success.”
 
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program nominates recipients first by identifying schools with exceptionally high student test scores.  Nominees then have to fill out a comprehensive application to give a global look of the school, including curriculum, innovative programs, and the role of parents.
 
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said former school Principal Katharine Pence, who retired just two months ago after 32 years at the school.  “It’s one thing to be recognized for high test scores—which is something we’re very proud of—but it means a lot that this award valued the sense of community we’ve worked hard to build.  It’s a group effort.”     
 
The K-5 school has several programs that have brought members of the Kennebunkport community into the classroom, and vice-versa.  In the Trust in Our Children program, students learn hands-on science lessons on fieldtrips to the local land trust.  Community fund-raising was also critical for the school’s Go Green initiative, which has helped build an outdoor classroom as well as teach students about composting, reducing waste, and solar power.
 
While implementing these initiatives, the school has also raised student test scores through innovative curriculum changes and offering more support to students who didn’t initially meeting learning standards.