FORT SMITH — Immaculate Conception School’s colors — blue and white — never seemed more appropriate than when its student body, some dressed in cheerleading and football uniforms, took the field for a pep rally Sept. 24 to celebrate its recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Standing in front of a huge banner, pastor Father Greg Luyet opened the rally with prayer, noting that only four Arkansas schools had received this honor in 2013, and that Immaculate Conception School is the first Catholic school in Arkansas and the first elementary school in Fort Smith to receive this designation.
Only 50 private and 236 public schools were recognized this year; it is the highest recognition that can be given to a school.
Principal Sharon Blentlinger, who has led the school for 27 years, said last fall she learned that Immaculate Conception students were in the top 15 percent nationally in reading and math standardized test scores. The school was invited to apply for recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School to the Council for American Private Education, which sent its nomination to the U.S. Department of Education in January.
“That’s what got us here — your hard work,” Blentlinger told the students. “But we also needed to write a big paper about what students do inside and outside the classroom, and our culture and environment … We are more than just test scores. We are a family who looks after and loves one another. Family together makes us a National Blue Ribbon School. God has to be at the center of our lives and work and joy.”
This November Blentlinger, Father Luyet, teacher Ann Cannon and diocesan schools superintendent Vernell Bowen will travel to Washington, D.C., for the awards ceremony.
The school has a well-trained faculty, with 45 percent holding advanced degrees, and an average of 17 years of experience at the school.
The school currently educates children from 18 months through sixth grade.
“We have always tried to be visionary and innovative in beginning programs that have met family needs,” the principal said.
Immaculate Conception was the first school in Fort Smith to use interactive smart boards in every classroom. Twenty-four percent of the Fort Smith School District’s National Merit Scholars between 2002 and 2012 were Immaculate Conception School graduates.
Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders, District 78 State Rep. George McGill and State Sens. Jake Files and Bruce Holland presented the school with proclamations.
“It’s exciting to me as an IC parent,” Files, the father of three current students, said. “I represent the school; Sen. Holland represents the church.”
Students, who developed class and school mission statements as part of their “Leader in Me” program based on the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” recited their school mission statement, followed by several cheers and a praise and worship song, “I Want to See Jesus Lifted High.”
Teachers came forward with helium-filled blue and white balloons for each child to let the city know that something special was going on at Immaculate Conception School.
