Local school receives national recognition

Christy Bucker, technology coordinator/instructor, STARBASE Louisiana, helps students from Claiborne Fundamental Elementary School with a handheld global positioning system at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 23, 2012. Eric James, a multimedia journalist with KTBS Channel 3 in Shreveport, La., was on hand to record the activities for a story about Claiborne being selected as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education. The U.S. Secretary of Education has recognized 269 schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence, or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels. The Department will honor approximately 219 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C. Claiborne is located in Shreveport, La., and is one of 48 elementary schools in Caddo Parish School District. It is a magnet school that serves 391 students in grades K-5. Magnet schools are public schools that offer a specialized curriculum or educational philosophy, often with a specific focus or theme. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston)