MONROE — Earlier this school year, Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Monroe was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, a distinction given by the U.S. Department of Education for its academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps.

While school staff and students celebrated the announcement earlier this fall, it officially held a special day with families and community members on Dec. 16. Families ate breakfast with their students, which included pancakes, sausages, bananas, juice or milk and other healthy items. 

A short video played, which had congratulatory messages from Gov. Tony Evers, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly, and interviews with principal Sarah Judd, fourth grade teacher Juanita Butler, District Administrator Rodney Figueroa, as well as several students and parents.

After the breakfast, everyone — including community members, past Abraham faculty and students, district administration and Board of Education members — joined by the flag pole in the upper parking lot to raise the official National Blue Ribbon School Flag. 

Judd, school board President Rich Deprez, and former Principal Dr. Virgil Leopold all spoke to the crowd. Leopold was the building’s first principal, serving from 1978-1997. He then was the district’s Director of Curriculum for four years before retiring, at which point he took his talents and experiences around the country to help other districts and schools raise their own bar in education achievement.

The current building was completed in 1978. After a lightning-caused fire burned down the previous building earlier in the decade, students had to be split shift taught in mobile units for years before district voters finally passed a referendum. Now about 50 years later, the Eagle emblem on the wall of the school is all that remains of the old building.