Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/618006
WEA member Mark Vinich, art teacher at Davis Elementary in Cheyenne, held an art contest for his students during American Education Week. Winners from each grade had their original pieces printed on placemats and distributed to local restaurants. Spring Creek Elementary School Celebrates National Blue Ribbon Award Winter 2015 | wyoea.org 15 American Education Week Art Contest Superintendent Balow presents Dr. Brenneman with a plaque recognizing Spring Creek Elementary School as a National Blue Ribbon School. (Courtesy Wyoming Dept. of Education) Spring Creek Elementary School in Laramie held a celebration in November, for being named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. "The culture at Spring Creek is supportive, positive, and focused on student success," said Superintendent Balow. "Dr. Brenneman and her excellent staff use data and best practices to meet the needs of every learner. We're so proud of the hard work of the staff, students, and community here in Laramie that it took to earn this well- deserved Blue Ribbon." Spring Creek is a K-5 school in Albany County School District #1 that serves a diverse student body including Title 1 students, offers Personalized Learning Services, and is home to the district's gifted and talented students. They adopted the Response to Intervention model in 2006, and credit that program's foundation, along with the utilization of Professional Learning Communities by staff, for its success. "Spring Creek is full of very talented students who work hard on a daily basis," said Spring Creek's Principal, Dr. Liann Brenneman. "The teachers in our school spend countless hours working on lesson plans that will engage, challenge, and provide wonderful learning opportunities for all students. Parents provide amazing support through volunteer hours, book fairs, and learning support for their students. Our support staff works tirelessly to ensure that students are challenged at their level, and provide essential support from breakfast to boarding the bus. Only through this team effort and endless dedication to learning can we all achieve our goal of Reaching the Peaks Together." The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards, or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Spring Creek is one of 335 schools recognized in 2015. University of Wyoming Student Wyoming Education Association (SWEA) members gathered for an end-of-year social the week before finals to unwind and visit. The Association provided hot chocolate, chai, and snacks. The members played games and had an ugly Christmas sweater contest. SWEA is planning a lot of activities next semester, and they're looking forward to expanding their membership.