SUNSET VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
NAMED NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
Sunset Valley Elementary School students celebrate with Principal Mr. Jason Cendroski at their monthly School-Wide Positive Behavior
assembly on Friday, September 27, 2019. Photo by LJReed Photography.
S
unset Valley Elementary School in the Norwin
School District has been named a National Blue
Ribbon School for 2019.
In September, U.S. Secretary of Education
Betsy DeVos recognized 362 schools as National
Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The coveted National
Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work
of educators, families and communities in creating
safe and welcoming schools where students master
challenging and engaging content.
Sunset Valley was recognized for its students’
academic performance on the 2017-2018 Pennsylvania
System of School Assessments. That school year, Sunset
Valley was one of the highest-scoring elementary
schools in southwestern Pennsylvania in both math and
reading.
The school serves 471 students in kindergarten
through fourth grade.
Principal Mr. Jason Cendroski
credited the daily dedication
and hard work of the parents,
teachers, and students at the
school.
“It’s not just one program or
initiative,” Mr. Cendroski said.
“It’s everyone’s hard work,
every day, to do the best we
can for all children. And the
parents do the same thing. The
parents’ commitment to their
children is what makes Sunset a
special place.”
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NORWIN
He added that the school’s reinforcement of
“Noble Knight” character traits, such as respect,
responsibility, and courage, help to build a culture of
success. Teachers even nominate other teachers for
demonstrating good character. Students and staff are
honored at a monthly positive behavior assembly.
“We are incredibly proud of the collective effort of
students, families, faculty, and staff of Sunset Valley
Elementary and are pleased that they were selected to
represent the Norwin School District as a National Blue
Ribbon School,” said Dr. Natalie McCracken, Assistant
Superintendent.
Now in its 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon
Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more
than 9,000 schools.
“On behalf of the Norwin Board of Education and
Administration, we congratulate Sunset
Valley students, staff, and families for
the tremendous honor of being
named a National Blue Ribbon
School,” said Dr. Jeff Taylor,
Superintendent. “Their
example teaches us about the
remarkable achievements
that can happen when a
school has encouraging
family involvement, a sense
of shared responsibility, and
disciplined student work
habits.”