| Last Tuesday was a proud day for Turner Elementary principal Christine French (pictured above marching with students in the Wilkinsburg Holiday Parade.) She got to hang the "big blue sign," a large, keystone-shaped placard that shows that the school has earned a Keystone Achievement Award for showing sustained academic progress.
"Last year, before the PSSA tests, I told my students that Kelly School had a big blue sign, and I was jealous," said Ms. French. "I knew they would do their best to get it for me."
Kelly and Turner Elementary Schools, both in the Wilkinsburg School District, have joined the more than 2,100 Pennsylvania schools will be honored this year with Keystone Achievement Awards. Kelly Elementary School was a recipient last year as well.
"These awards are testament to the tremendous efforts of the students, teachers and staff at each of these schools," Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said.
The awards are being given to public schools that achieved adequate yearly progress (AYP) in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years. Progress is measured in part by a school's performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, the standardized test given annually to students in grades 3-8 and 11.
"If there is one award that a school should proudly show off to visitors, it is the Keystone Achievement Award," the secretary said. "It is proof to all who visit the school that they are at an institution that cares about ensuring every child succeeds."
The Wilkinsburg School District as a whole achieved AYP in 2006-07 and 2005-07.
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