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St. Francis of Assisi School recognized as Blue Ribbon School

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Franciscan Fr. John F. O’Connor, pastor, welcomes parents and students on the first day of school at St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle in this 2018 file photo. FILE

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Children greet the mascot of St. John Paul the Great School in Potomac Shores at Francis Day Oct. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Franciscan Fr. John O’Connor celebrates Mass at St. Francis of Assisi in Triangle Oct. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Blue ribbons are tied to the doors of St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle to celebrate their designation as a Blue Ribbon school. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Students and staff celebrate Francis Day and wear blue ribbons in celebration of their designation as a Blue Ribbon school Oct. 2. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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This article was updated with photos 10/2.

St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle has been designated a
National Blue Ribbon School for 2019 by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
The honor was announced Sept. 26.

St. Francis is one of 50 private schools to receive the award and
the only school in the Diocese of Arlington to be recognized this year.

“I am very proud to hear that St. Francis of Assisi Catholic
School has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School,” said Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge. “This award acknowledges the quality of education at St. Francis of
Assisi and demonstrates the collaborative efforts of parents and Catholic
educators in the academic and faith formation of our students. I commend and
thank the entire St. Francis of Assisi school community for what they have
accomplished and ask God to continue to bless all their endeavors.”

“St. Francis of Assisi School community is thrilled to
receive the distinction of being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by
the U. S. Department of Education,” said Principal Tricia Barber. “I am most
proud of the faculty and students being recognized in the performance category
of exemplary high performing schools.”

Barber said the school strives to model the words of St. Francis,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”

“We are thrilled to learn of St Francis of Assisi School’s
selection as a Blue Ribbon school,” said Joseph E. Vorbach III, diocesan
superintendent of schools. “This national recognition by the U.S. Department of
Education is an acknowledgment of the mission-focused commitment to every
student that is a hallmark of the St. Francis of Assisi school community.”

“On behalf of the
thousands of parishioners of St Francis parish, the Franciscan Friars, and
parish staff, I congratulate Dr. Tricia Barber, our faculty and staff for their
excellence in administration and teaching,” said Franciscan Father John
O’Connor, pastor.

“Excellence in education has been, for hundreds of years, a
hallmark of the Franciscan tradition,” he said. “Some of the greatest scholars
in the history of the Western civilization were Franciscan — St Bonaventure,
Duns Scotus, Roger Bacon. Professors at some of the greatest universities in
the world, including the University of Paris and Oxford University, were
Franciscan Friars. This is indeed a special moment for St Francis Parish.”

The U.S. Department of Education will have an awards ceremony for
the 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees in Washington Nov. 14-15.

St. Francis of Assisi School will celebrate its designation at its
annual Francis Day in the Park Oct. 2 at Locust Shade Park in Triangle, with students
and staff wearing blue ribbons.

 

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