After a roller coaster year for educators caused by COVID-19, one local elementary school is being awarded for their achievements. Green Meadow Elementary School has been nationally recognized as a 2021 Blue Ribbon Exemplary High-Performing School.

“Our teachers helped make it just like a normal year, as normal as it could possibly be even with all the restrictions,” says fifth grader Victoria Christakis.

Each morning at Green Meadow, students start the day with GMTV. The broadcast news broadcast is one of the reasons the school stood out. In addition to running the broadcast club, Jaimee Kusche is also a fourth grade teacher.

“We wanted to find a way to keep the school and students connected,” says Kusche.

So GMTV didn’t quit production during the shut down. Instead, it went online so kids could watch from home and start their day the way they’re used to.

“We incorporated a lot of the staff, a lot of the students, we just made it a fun way to see each other’s faces,” says Kusche. “Everybody persevered the best they could. Returning this year to an in person model is so exciting for us.”

Seeing her students do so well is extra special for Mrs. Kusche. She’s a Green Meadow graduate herself. She keeps her class photo from her fourth grade year on display in her classroom.

“I keep that hung up in my classroom just as a reminder that, you know, somebody who was in fourth grade and said, 'When I grow up I want to be a teacher,’ you can make your dreams come true,” says Kusche.

Just like Mrs Kusch, Principal Daniel Garab is an alum of the East Greenbush Central School District.

“This could not have come at a better time,” says Garab. “This has certainly been a very challenging period in education.”

In Denise Romer’s first grade classroom, students are eager to tell you what’s so special about their school. Teachers, family members, students and community members all work hard to ensure student success.

With a school motto of “It’s All in the Attitude,” Green Meadow is one of just 19 schools in New York State to win the 2021 Blue Ribbon award.

“It is just exciting in all reality to be back together five days a week, that is the most exciting thing and I think the children really feel that excitement and to know that we’re getting this honor has just made it even better,” says Romer.

Garab says the school plans to celebrate with students and their families at the “Light Green Meadow Blue” event on Wednesday, October 13. It’ll be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the field behind the school. They’ll have food, music and fireworks.