Lincoln Middle School Celebrates Top Honor

By Teresa Rochester

It was all about the Lincoln Lions Thursday morning when 1,300 students, their teachers and staff temporarily traded in the middle school's trademark red and white for a little blue.

A one-hour lunch break, a deejay spinning records and a school assembly were part of the festivities as students and staff celebrated their status a National Blue Ribbon of Excellence School for the 1999/2000 school year. The honor was bestowed on only 198 middle and high schools across the country.

"Since our school is recognized as one of the best schools in the country, doesn't that mean we're the best students in the country," asked 7th grader Nicole Wong, to the cheers of her classmates gathered on the school's football field. "And doesn't that mean we have the best teachers in the country?"

Wong was joined on the podium by school principal Dr. Ilene Straus, Lincoln teachers, Supt. Neil Schmidt, Board of Education Vice President Tom Pratt (whose son attends the school) and Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Pam O'Connor.

"To all the students, wassup?" asked Pratt to the sea of blue-clad sixth, seventh and eighth graders. "On behalf of the Board of Education I'd like to thank everyone here. I don't think the students realize the importance of this award."

"This is a national award that all schools in the nation compete for and very few schools get there," said Schmidt. "This is only the second school in the school district that has had such a tremendous honor… I just want to convey a tremendous heartfelt thanks for all the faculty that made this happen… This award goes to all of you."

Officials at Lincoln Middle School set their sights on the coveted national award in 1994 after the school was honored as a California Distinguished School. After failing to get the nod several years ago, Strauss, teachers and parents once again embarked on the arduous process last October, completing a detailed 40-page application form.

'Two years ago we knew we were ready to win the Blue Ribbon," said English teacher Sharon K. Hart, who helped spearhead the effort. "As you all know, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again… As you know the story has a happy ending."

In an effort to get ready for inspections by the national committee, maintenance workers turned up at the school last year armed with cans of paint, brooms and flowers to plant. In honor of the Blue Ribbon doors at Lincoln workers painted them blue. On Thursday the workers were among the groups thanked for their efforts.

"What a proud morning this is. Feel the Lincoln energy in the air," said teacher Alan Rogers, who has taught at the school for 34 years and was also a student. "I knew Lincoln was a great school. That's when we had orange doors. I knew we would be even better when we had blue doors. We as a team have also achieved a color, the color blue."

The Blue Ribbon Award is the Department of Education's most prestigious honor. Schools are recognized for excellence in leadership, vision, teaching curriculum, student achievement, parental involvement and community support. Straus and four members of her faculty traveled to Washington, D.C. September 21st to accept the award.

Lincoln Middle School ranks 8th among schools in Los Angeles County in Academic Performance Index test scores and ranks among the top 12 percent in API scores statewide. It has twice been named a California Distinguished School.