Missouri's first lady visits Blanchard Elementary School

Missouri's first lady Georganne Nixon on Thursday visited Barbara Blanchard Elementary, where she read to students in celebration of the school's National Blue Ribbon School award.

"The governor and I just love to celebrate the success of Missouri schools," Nixon said during her visit. "Becoming a National Blue Ribbon School is such a great honor for the community, the students here, the administrators and the board, that we just like to come and say thank you."

The elementary was one of 10 Missouri schools and 335 nationwide to receive the award from the U.S. Department of Education, which recognizes academic excellence.

Missouri first lady Georganne Nixon reads a book to a first-grade class Thursday. (Glenn Landberg)

Nixon, who taught in the public school system and serves as a Scholastic reading ambassador, visited two classrooms and read the book "Hey, Al," written by Arthur Yorinks and illustrated by Richard Egielski. It was the recipient of the 1987 Caldecott Medal.

She also congratulated the students on receiving the award and praised their hard work.

"I love meeting the students and reading with them," Nixon said. "And when you get into a school like this, you can feel the happy atmosphere. And I really do believe, like the 'school with a heart,' that it filters through to the children."

Principal Barbara Kohlfeld said she was "very honored" that Nixon visited the elementary.

Since being named a National Blue Ribbon School last week, the school has had several visitors, including Margaret Vandeven, Missouri's commissioner of education, Kohlfeld said.

"I'm getting contacts from other schools in other districts who would like to come here or talk about what we're doing and wanting to maybe replicate some of our practices," Kohlfeld said. "So, we're always very available to help anyone, if you'd like to visit or talk with us."

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