Poland school wins national blue ribbon

Dobbins is the first school in the Mahoning Valley to reach the top level.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- The excitement was contagious.
The yelling and cheering would start on one side of Dobbins Elementary School's all-purpose room, and it would quickly pick up on the other side, growing louder and louder.
And the pupils from kindergarten through the fourth grade had a very good reason to be excited. They, along with staff, parents and community leaders, were celebrating a major accomplishment.
Dobbins was selected as one of only 234 schools in the nation -- and among 18 in Ohio -- by the U.S. Department of Education as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. Dobbins is also the first school in the Mahoning Valley to receive the honor, begun in 1982.
"The dedication and team effort here helps us obtain high achievement," Dobbins Principal Cheryl L. Borovitcky told the audience Friday. "Your enthusiasm for learning is heard loud and clear. This moment truly marks a milestone in Dobbins school history."
How to get one
There are only two ways to be nominated for the Blue Ribbon award: A school can be in the top 10 percent of schools in state achievement testing, which is how Dobbins was nominated, or it can show significant improvements in academics.
From there, the state education department decides which schools from Ohio are then forwarded to the national level. Once a national nominee, a school district has to fill out a 20-page questionnaire asking about student achievement and community involvement.
Susan P. Sause, Poland schools' special services director and Dobbins' former principal, said the honor was a collaborative effort between teachers and support staff, parents, the community and the children.
"Your education is so very important to all of us," she told the pupils to loud cheers.
Dr. Robert Zorn, Poland superintendent of schools, said the Blue Ribbon award is a great honor for Dobbins, Poland and the entire Mahoning Valley.
"We're very proud that Dobbins is among the best," he said. "We knew that, but now the county, state and nation know it too."
skolnick@vindy.com