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Gov. Roy Cooper visited Cedar Ridge Elementary School on Tuesday, delivering school supplies, visiting classrooms, speaking with students and teachers, and talking about the importance of public education with 2023 North Carolina Principal of the Year, Donna Bledsoe.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School is a pre-K through fifth grade school in Lowgap in Surry County. The school has two N.C. Pre-K classrooms.
“Public schools are critical for the progress of our state, and Cedar Ridge Elementary School is helping children grow, learn, and succeed,” Cooper said, according to a press release.
Here are some highlights from Bledsoe’s remarks, which she shared with EdNC:
Cedar Ridge Elementary is not just a school; it is a family of dedicated educators, resilient students, and engaged community members.
Our journey extends far beyond academic excellence. At Cedar Ridge Elementary, we believe that education is the great equalizer, and we are committed to equity practices that ensure every student has the opportunity to excel. We embrace diversity as a strength, and we’ve worked tirelessly to create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Community engagement is at the heart of Cedar Ridge’s success story.
Our commitment to nurturing not just academic achievers but future leaders who will shape our world is unwavering. We instill in our students the values of leadership, integrity, and service, ensuring they are prepared to make a positive impact on society by leading self, leading others, and changing the world.
We believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we are dedicated to making that belief a reality bringing the joy each day as we design dreams and grow leaders.
I urge you to remember that this is the story of our school but this story of pride and success is shared in public schools across our great state from Murphy to Manteo. The joy of N.C. public education is thriving and we are ready to tell our stories. North Carolina has a long and storied history of valuing public education as a cornerstone of our society. From the establishment of the first public school in 1840 to the present day, our state has consistently striven for excellence in education. Public education has always been a driving force in North Carolina’s progress, and it continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless students.
Let us continue to support and celebrate the great work of Cedar Ridge Elementary and all the dedicated educators, students, and community members who make success for students possible in all public schools in our state. Please help share those joy stories as we continue to advocate for our students and the profession that is our passion.
Principal of the Year Donna Bledsoe
“Gov. Cooper could be anywhere in the state today,” said Surry County Schools Superintendent Dr. Travis Reeves, “and he has chosen to be in Surry County, helping to highlight the work of Principal Bledsoe, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, and Surry County Schools…. Together, we are nurturing the minds of our future leaders and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to thrive.”
The Governor’s School Supply Drive
The Governor’s School Supply Drive ran from July 24 to Aug. 18. As in past years, the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) and Communities In Schools of North Carolina partnered with the state to collect and deliver the school supplies to classrooms.
On average, teachers spend over $500 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms each year, according to the press release.
Donation bins were located in all SECU locations across the state. North Carolina residents contributed by dropping off items at a SECU location or by organizing their own drive at their workplace.
Cooper first held the Governor’s Annual School Supply Drive in 2017 to provide school supplies to help support families, schools, and communities across the state. Cooper’s cabinet members and volunteers with Communities In Schools of North Carolina and VolunteerNC are helping to distribute the supplies to public schools across North Carolina. Paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, and sanitizing wipes are among the supplies that are being delivered to schools across the state as part of the annual drive.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School held a back-to-school bash, where over 200 families were provided with essential supplies for their children’s education.
