Hiawatha school named to national Blue Ribbon list

What does it mean to win a blue ribbon?

“Wining a blue ribbon means doing you did a good job on something,” said Lily Streeter, 8, a third-grade student at Nixon Elementary School.

The U.S. Department of Education believes students and teachers at Nixon are doing a great job, naming it a 2009 Blue Ribbon School.

Only 314 schools on the country earned Blue Ribbon status this year - six in Iowa. Nixon is the only Eastern Iowa school on the list.

“To know that others have recognized our hard work and the dedication of the teachers is quite an honor,” Principal Kay Coe said.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has recognized schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals.

The award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that either are academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement and helped close gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students.

Schools can't apply for recognition but must be nominated. Nixon was nominated for the honor by Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education.

Superintendent Dave Benson announced the school's award during a surprise ceremony Tuesday morning.

“It's exciting,” said Mackenzie Hill, 10, a fifth-grade student.

This is Nixon's first Blue Ribbon recognition. It's the ninth school in the Cedar Rapids district to achieve this status.

Metro, Jefferson and Washington high schools, along with Grant Wood, Erskine and Pierce elementaries and Franklin and Harding middle schools have also been named Blue Ribbon schools.

Metro and Jefferson received the honor twice. Washington was recognized three times.

“I think it's really nice that they chose us,” said Tyler Spicer, 10, a fifth grader at Nixon. “This shows that we've been working really hard.”

The honored schools will be recognized at an awards ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.