Schools
ERMS Celebrates National Recognition
The school received a host of honors for its Blue Ribbon school designation at an assembly the day before Thanksgiving.
Town, state and federal officials visited East Ridge Middle School's auditorium on Wednesday morning, as did a decent chunk of the school system central office, but the visitor that caused the most excitement was the tiger mascot.
"He was a lot of fun," State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26th District, told students when it was her turn to congratulate them on the school's recent Blue Ribbon award.
The school celebrated its national award at a high-energy assembly before Thanksgiving early dismissal, and the program kicked off with the mascot running through the crowd to "Eye of the Tiger," offering high fives.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools either for academic excellence or for dramatic improvement in student achievement.
East Ridge Principal Marty Fiedler told students that there are 133,000 schools in the country and that only 321 earned the Blue Ribbon Award this year.
"It was with great pride and excitement that we honored your school," said Barbara Mahoney, an employee from the U.S. Department of Education. She presented a certificate from the U.S. Secretary of Education to Fiedler.
"I am pleased and honored to be here with you as you celebrate," Mahoney said.
The school also received a proclamation from the governor's office, Boucher presented one from the state general assembly and First Selectman Rudy Marconi bestowed one from the town. Between honors, visitors watched fondly as students showed their East Ridge pride, reacting to photos of teachers and friends during a couple slide show photo montages of the community.
"Each of you should be proud of yourself," sixth grade social studies teacher Susan Gartner told students, "proud of your achievements and proud of being part of a school that was recognized by the United States Department of Education as being exemplary."
