State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick Visited Two Eldersburg Schools for the Last Time Before Retiring

State Superintendent for Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick made her last trips to two Eldersburg schools Tuesday, celebrating recent Blue Ribbon achievement and gifted and talented program. 

Last week Grasmick announced that she will be retiring after almost 20 years on June 30. 

"It's not everyday that you get the state superintendent and county superintendent visiting in your school in one day, and that is something Oklahoma Road Middle School is very proud of," said David Watkins, Assistant Principal at Oklahoma Road Middle School. 

Grasmick attended the Blue Ribbon ceremony at Oklahoma Road, speaking to the students, parents and administrators and telling the crowd of students dressed in blue that if they've been "so good they should receive some prizes right?"

She then passed the mic to Darla Strouse, the Executive Director of Maryland State Department of Education and head of the Blue Ribbon School program who told the students they would receive a pizza party to which the students all cheered enthusiastically. 

“I’m very proud and enlightened to be here to help celebrate this wonderful achievement,” said Stephen Guthrie Superintendent of Carroll County Public Schools. “Your success is a reflection and validation of the entire school system and we are very very proud of it.” 

“I am so excited to be here with you today. This has really been a journey,” said Grasmick. “Oklahoma Road Middle School is an outstanding school and can compete with any blue ribbon school in this nation.”

She went on to explain that 91 percent of students at Oklahoma Road are proficient or above in mathematics and 96 percent are proficient or above in reading. 

Students at Oklahoma Road excel at high levels, with 67 percent of the student body earning Honor Roll status.  Those in need of interventions in math and reading are identified and immediately provided assistance by middle school faculty and staff. 

"It's a great accomplishment to earn a Blue Ribbon. There are only two middle schools in the State of Maryland and that says a lot. From the performance today and seeing the kids, you can see why Oklahoma Road Middle School is a Blue Ribbon School," said Watkins. 

In April 2009, Oklahoma Road Middle School earned Maryland Green School for the very first time and school "green" efforts continue both in and out of the classroom.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a state and national program that recognizes and honors schools that exhibit high performance or significant improvement in reading and mathematics achievement as measured by Maryland's assessments, according to a Carroll County Public School press release.

Schools must meet rigorous standards developed by the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. These schools are either extremely high achievers in reading and mathematics or economically disadvantaged schools exceeding norms and dramatically improving student achievement in reading and mathematics.  

The other five Maryland schools recognized this year include: Mount Washington Elementary in Baltimore City, Towson High School in Baltimore County, Lime Kiln Middle School in Howard County, Severna Park High School in Anne Arundel County and Bel Air Elementary in Allegany County. 

The teachers and staff are honored to have been picked for this achievement and have their eyes on the National honors announced in September.

"I'm glad our school got the promotion state wide. Hopefully our application for the National Blue Ribbon Program will be successful," said Jim Stull, physical education teacher at Oklahoma Road. 

"We have the best kids, hands down, and the best parents. Our parental support is phenomenal," said Mark Anderson, technology education teacher at Oklahoma Road.