Redwater Independent School District holds luncheon in celebration of National Blue Ribbon achievement

Redwater Independent School District held a luncheon earlier this week in celebration of Redwater Junior High School on its 2020 National Blue Ribbon achievement.

Redwater Junior High was named an "Exemplary Achievement-Gap-Closing School," and was one of a select group of Texas public schools that received the national honor.

The Texas Education Agency made the nomination to the United States Department of Education based on the campus' exemplary progress toward closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Student achievement over a five-year period was used by TEA in making the nomination.

"We wanted to celebrate our National Blue Ribbon Award and our staff because that is an accomplishment not many meet," Superintendent Dr. Kelly Burns said. "Only 13 campuses in the state of Texas received the Closing the Gaps 2020 National Blue Ribbon, so we're in a very elite group. As a superintendent, I could not be more proud of Redwater Junior High and Redwater ISD."

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Gary VanDeaver, House District 1 state representative.

"One of the things Dr. VanDeaver said is this is an award for the campus and for teachers, administrators and staff. But the true winners are the students," Burns said. "He's a wonderful speaker, a good storyteller and he was very motivational."

Burns said this achievement validates a lot of hard work from teachers within the district.

"They don't do it to win awards. They do it because they're here for the kids. We as educators touch so many lives, and we never really know the depth of our legacy. What we do matters to so many," she said.

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