Senator Collins Visits Dr. Levesque Elementary in Frenchville to Congratulate School Community on Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award
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Frenchville, ME - U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville today to participate in an assembly recognizing the school’s designation as a National Blue Ribbon School. Senator Collins presented a copy of her Congressional Record statement honoring the school’s achievement and delivered remarks congratulating the school and the community on their accomplishment.
Dr. Levesque Elementary School, which includes students in pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in October. Dr. Levesque Elementary was one of three Maine schools—and one of only 349 public and private schools nationwide—to receive this highly prestigious recognition in 2018.
Today also marks the beginning of the second annual WinterKids Winter Games at Dr. Levesque Elementary School. Thirty-one elementary schools around the state will participate in this physical and nutritional competition, which encourages young children to develop healthy habits over its four-week duration. Each school will try to earn as many points as possible for the grand prize: $5,000 donated to their school. In total 7,635 students and 650 teachers and staff from every county in Maine will be participating in the games.
“I was delighted to visit Dr. Levesque Elementary today to congratulate the entire school community on their outstanding achievement,” said Senator Collins. “To be named a Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous accomplishment. It is an honor that the people of Frenchville, St. Agatha, and Sinclair earned by working together to make a difference in the lives of students, helping them reach their full potential as independent, responsible learners and citizens.”
“In addition to celebrating Dr. Levesque Elementary School’s Blue Ribbon, I enjoyed participating in the opening ceremony for their WinterKids Competition and to thank the parents, teachers, staff, and sponsors who made it possible,” Senator Collins continued. “This competition will encourage students and their families to get outside, get active, and have fun this winter.”
Senator Collins, a member of the Senate Education Committee, has visited more than 200 schools throughout Maine during her Senate service and has long led efforts to honor our nation’s public schools and improve our education system.
For 35 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Blue Ribbon schools are recognized for overall academic excellence or for making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
Dr. Levesque Elementary School was named after Dr. Romeo J. Levesque, a family doctor in Frenchville who dedicated his life to caring for the sick in the St. John Valley. The school is now the only elementary school in MSAD 33.
