STRONG — Senator Tom Saviello (RWilton) was on hand at the Strong Elementary School Thursday, Jan. 26 to present Principal Felecia Pease with a Certificate of Recognition from the 125th Maine State Legislature and the People of Maine.

Strong Elementary was recently named a National Title I Distinguished School for 2011. The National Distinguished School Program is a project of the National Title I Association and provides an opportunity for Title I Schools from every state to be recognized for their positive achievements.

The award was presented during the student assembly marking the end of the school’s first trimester. Prior to the presentation, Principal Pease handed out dozens of awards to many of the school’s 181 students. Children were recognized for numerous achievements including helping with hot lunch, outstanding ethics, pride in work, math success and winning the school spelling bee.

Principal Felecia Pease awards Renee Bachelder the Citizenship Award. (Karen Bessey Pease photo) Students were called to the podium and given certificates for attaining honorable mention, honor roll and high honors. Pease also invited those who met or exceeded the standards for the NWEA exams to stand up as she called their names. At the end of the roll call the bleachers were filled with children standing in place.

Pease also presented student Renee Bachelder with a Citizenship Award and recognized the young lady for her positive attitude, willingness to help and run errands, and her outstanding leadership qualities.

Senator Saviello bestowed the Distinguished School award and also read a letter of recognition from U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. MSAD 58 Superintendent Brenda Stevens spoke of the cooperative spirit which exists in the Strong elementary community between teachers, staff and parents and quoted the school principal, who once told her “This doesn’t happen by accident.”

“It’s a complete circle in which our success happens. The students are at the center of that success. They are engaged learners taught by highly qualified teachers and supported by a giving community,” said Principal Pease.

The school received a large red and white banner proclaiming “National Title I Distinguished School 2011.” After the assembly students and staff enjoyed three beautifully decorated cakes emblazoned with a welldeserved boast: “Strong Elementary School,” “National Blue Ribbon School, 2005” and “National Distinguished Title I, 2011.”