Blue Ribbon School 2021 Award Recipient

September 21, 2021

Pioneer Valley Regional School District is delighted to announce that Northfield Elementary School (NES) was recognized today as a National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“I’m thrilled for our staff and families,” said NES Principal Megan Desmarais. “Every adult in this school community works so hard to meet the needs of our students. The families at NES are incredibly supportive, as well. They deserve this award alongside our students, educators, and staff!”

Of the more than 98,000 public schools in the United States, only 325 earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School award this year. NES was recommended for the award by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and is one of only five schools to win the award in the state.

Cheryl George, NES parent, school Librarian, and Co-Chair of the Parent/Teacher Organization, shared Principal Desmarais’s enthusiasm. “We love our school. It’s an amazing place, where every child is known, where every child matters, where staff care so much about kids. We’ve known forever that NES is a special place. We’re so glad that the federal government has recognized what we’ve known all along!”

Secretary of Education Cardona will release a video message tomorrow, 9/22/21, with additional information about upcoming celebrations for award winners in Washington, D.C.

PVRSD will share further information in the coming weeks about the award, the NES application, and the celebrations planned for later this fall.

For today, please join us in congratulating Principal Desmarais and the Northfield Elementary School community for their well-deserved recognition.

Julie Burke

School Committee Chair

Patricia Kinsella

Interim Superintendent

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Read the US DOE 9/21/21 press release.

Read the list of National Blue Ribbon Schools 2021 Award Winners.