Distinguished school: Berg receives Title I national award

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Berg Elementary School Title I instructor Denise Adams, front, and paraprofessional Christine Pechtl walk through the hallways of school, amid the cheers of students after they accepted an award recognizing Berg as a Title I Distinguished School on Monday.

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The students and faculty of Berg Elementary School celebrated the notification that Berg has been designated as a 2010-2011 North Dakota Title I Distinguished School during a ceremony on Monday morning.

Berg’s Title I instructor Denise Adams and paraprofessional Christine Pechtl were greeted by cheers as they walked through the hallways.

Principal Tammy Praus presented Adams with a certificate, sash and crown, and each educator received a bouquet of roses. Special guests were Dr. Douglas Sullivan, Dickinson Public Schools superintendent and Dorothy Martinson, director of student services.

“It’s a great honor — we’re the one school selected in North Dakota for this award,” said Martinson.

While the award recognizes Berg, she said the award recognizes the other elementary buildings as well, because the sixth graders come from throughout the school district.

In accepting the award for Berg, Adams said the recognition is for all the students and staff.

“I think it’s such an honor and I’m proud to be a member of this team,” she said.

The award is sponsored by the National Association of State Title I Directors. Through this program, North Dakota may select two Title I schools to receive the award. The announcement of Berg’s selection was made at the state Title I conference on Friday at Fargo.

Title I’s mission is to recognize the ability of all students to master standards in core academic subjects.

The Distinguished School recognition program shows a school has provided exemplary effectiveness in a multitude of areas, said Lodee Arnold, assistant director with the Department of Public Instruction.

“It shows different learning strategies — just a variety of areas they have really excelled in,” she said.

Distinguished Title I schools will be honored during the 2011 National Title I conference in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. The state Title I office will sponsor three staff members to accept this award for their school.

As a recipient of the Distinguished School award, Berg will receive a $50,000 grant award to supplement its elementary Title I program.

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