(OVERLAND PARK, KS) - Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District—KS) announced today the U.S. Department of Education has selected four area elementary schools to receive the prestigious Blue Ribbon School Award. This years winners are:

Corinth Elementary Shawnee Mission

Heatherstone Elementary Olathe

Somerset Elementary Shawnee Mission

South Park Elementary Shawnee Mission

"I would like to congratulate the students, teachers, parents, and administrators at these schools on this impressive award," said Moore. "These schools have been an enormous source of pride for their communities, and recognition of their excellence is well-deserved."

Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized for having strong leadership; a clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by all connected with the school; high quality teaching; challenging, up-to-date curriculum; policies and practices that ensure a safe environment conducive to learning; solid evidence of family involvement; evidence that the school helps all students achieve high standards; and a commitment to share best practices with other schools.

"This honor is vigorously sought by schools across the nation," said Congressman Moore. "The fact that schools in Kansas continue to win this award shows the rest of the country in what high esteem we hold our public schools in Kansas."

Last year, Frontier Trail Elementary School in Olathe was awarded Blue Ribbon status. In 1999, four area elementary schools in eastern Kansas were so honored. They included Quail Run Elementary in Lawrence, Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, and Harmony Elementary and Valley Park Elementary, both in Overland Park.

Blue Ribbon recipients are selected by the U.S. Secretary of Education after final recommendations from a review panel of distinguished educators from around the country. The program was established in 1982 to recognize outstanding schools, offer a framework of criteria for school effectiveness, and encourage sharing of best practices among schools.