Queens pair grand at 50

Bruce Cotler

PS 203 teachers (from left) Lauren Pennecke, John Del Vecchio, Susan Maniff and Michele Jackson are among the celebrants wearing specially made T-shirts to mark the occasion.

Bruce Cotler

Among those celebrating at PS 191 are (from left) physical education teacher and Chapter Leader Michael Tavernite, math coach Meredith Broxmeyer, Principal Michael Ranieri and parent coordinator Mary Ann Geniti. Broxmeyer and Geniti went to Washington to receive the award.

Two Queens schools — PS 203 in Bayside and PS 191 in Floral Park — recently celebrated being among the 219 public schools nationwide to be named 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Both schools, which coincidentally are celebrating 50th anniversaries, were chosen on the basis of overall academic excellence. At the mid-November Washington, D.C., ceremonies honoring each school with a Blue Ribbon plaque and a flag to hang in their school, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong and secure future.” Now the Queens schools join the 7,000 U.S. schools cited for excellence in the 30 years that the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has been presenting the award.