ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood Grade School was awarded a Certificate of Recognition in the Challenge Award Program from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. This award recognizes the EGS third grade for outstanding achievement and uncommon accomplishments based on Kansas Assessment results from 2011 and other qualifying factors.

For each of the fourteen state assessments, 60 state schools met the Challenge Award criteria.

"I’m proud of the hard work of our third grade teachers," said EGS Principal Eric Sjogren. "It starts from kindergarten and moves all of the way up. All of the teachers, K-3, share this award."

However, Sjogren wants every child to succeed, regardless of test scores. "I’d rather see kids making progress than any award we could get," said Sjogren. "Awards are a feather in the cap."

Assessments are given to students third grade and above. The third grade teachers at EGS are Sheri Holmes and Lindell Redington.

Eight statewide organizations comprise the KPETF. They include the American Association of University Women, the Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas National Education Association, the Kansas School Public Relations Association, the Kansas State Board of Education, the Kansas State High school Activities Association Inc. and the United school Administrators of Kansas.

The purpose of the organization is to strengthen confidence in Kansas public education and its positive aspects.