5 School Officials to Accept Award

Anthony Knight, principal of Oak Hills School in Oak Park, learned five months ago that his school had been chosen one of the nation’s best by the U. S. Department of Education.

But what had been a “semi-abstract” thrill should become real today when Knight and other school district officials meet President Clinton and accept their award from Education Secretary Richard Riley.

Oak Hills was chosen by the Department of Education as one of 228 “Blue Ribbon” elementary schools based on such criteria as school leadership, curriculum, school environment, and history and math programs. The award is given in alternate years to elementary and secondary schools.

Clinton is scheduled to address representatives of the award-winning schools this morning on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Blue Ribbon winners will then have lunch with Riley, where they will receive plaques, and Blue Ribbon flags to fly at their schools.

“It’s all been semi-abstract,” Knight said before his group left for Washington on Thursday morning. “But now that we’re actually getting ready to fly out and meet the President of the United States, it’s very, very exciting.”

Traveling with Knight are Oak Hills teachers Joni Chancer, Sonja Leavitt and Enid Miller, and Oak Park Unified school board President Wayne Blasman.

Two days of activities will include a congressional reception at the Library of Congress and receptions hosted by the National Assn. of Elementary Principals.

No public funds were used for the trip, officials said. A local real estate firm donated $5,200 to the district to pay the way of the four Oak Hills officials. Blasman is paying his own way.

Most of the Blue Ribbon activities in Washington were funded by corporate donations, according to the Department of Education.