Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010 | 1:06 p.m.
A Las Vegas elementary school is one of 304 schools nationwide to be designated a Blue Ribbon National School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Helen Marie Smith Elementary, near Buffalo and Alta drives, received the designation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Thursday.
Two schools in Nevada were named: Helen Marie Smith and Caliente Elementary School in Caliente, which is about 100 miles north of Las Vegas.
The program recognizes high-performing schools or schools that have raised student achievement to higher levels, particularly for disadvantaged or minority students.
"We are fortunate at Helen Marie Smith Elementary School to have staff members that are so dedicated and skilled in delivering the values of a high quality education to our students," Principal John Haynal said in a prepared statement released by the Clark County School District.
"Our staff is honored to have received such a prestigious award and to be recognized for their hard work,” Haynal said. “However, the real success lies in our students’ accomplishments. We consider it a privilege to represent the Helen Marie Smith Elementary School community."
The school, which opened in 1975, is named after Helen Marie Smith, who was a teacher in Las Vegas during the 1930s and 1940s. She served as principal at both Helen J. Stewart School and Hewetson Elementary School before retiring in 1969.
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