JACKSONVILLE — West Side Principal Sandi Jones received yet more good news about her work at the school — she was selected as one of only 10 educators nationwide to receive the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership at the 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony Nov. 16, in Washington, D.C.

“I am very honored and proud to represent Jacksonville School District and West Side,” Jones said of receiving the award. “The award that I received had an extensive application involving input from faculty, staff and community members. It was quite lengthy.”

The Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership is awarded to principals who are school leaders committed to fostering successful teaching and learning at their schools, according to a press release about the recognition.

“They are principals who do whatever it takes to help their students meet high standards; and have demonstrated that they understand that when it comes to educating America’s children, failure, is not an option,” the release stated.

And while Jones’s name is the one on the award, she said she is not the only one who should receive credit for it.

“I am excited that my staff and the district are being acknowledged for what we are doing,” she said. “We are working towards being 21st century schools and we are preparing our students for the future because we don’t even know what their jobs will be when they graduate.

“I also am very excited because at West Side, it is a team effort. It’s not one person — we work together to be successful.”

And while West Side was already doing a good job of educating its students in 2007, when Jones became principal, it was not without its challenges, according the a press release sent about the award. Almost 90 percent of the school’s population are free and reduced-lunch eligible. More than half of the students are English Language Learners.

But more than 90 percent of West Side’s students score proficient or better on state assessments, and most were excelling.

“Some principals would have been satisfied with such statistics, but true leaders, like Mrs. Jones, are not,” according to the release. “Since she assumed the role of principal, West Side’s students have continued to improve, and last year nearly 100 percent of students in all grades and all subgroups scored proficient or better.”

Jones said reaching 100 percent on TAKS is a goal the school strives for.

“We are working hard every year, were very excited were working hard to be 100 percent on TAKS,” she said. I tell my teachers when we go to bed at night, we know we’re doing our job and doing the best we can.”

In addition to daily interventions with English Language Learners — an effort to bridge the achievement gap between them and other students — Jones has also implemented “No Excuses University,” a program promoting college readiness beginning in pre-kindergarten,

“Thanks to Mrs. Jones, West Side has already manifested a positive culture; and adopting the goal for all students to attend college is a natural extension,” according to the press release. “Under the program, teachers build student interest in college, host alumni, introduce college vocabulary, and instill a belief in students that their future is bright and full of wonderful opportunities.”

Jones said new enrichment clubs also inspire student success.

“Lon Morris’ Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society is working during the afternoon period with students recommended by their teachers who don’t need tutorials,” she said. “They are invited to stay, to have fun and play Scrabble.”

Before she became principal of West Side, Jones also taught kindergarten at the school, served as campus librarian and as instructional strategist.

“Good leaders inspire and empower, and Mrs. Jones is no exception,” according to the release. “Under her direction, district staff and teachers describe a supportive atmosphere that focuses on strengthening relationships, creating effective teams, and challenging all stakeholders in the school community to focus on success.

“Mrs. Jones works closely with her teams, sharing her knowledge and offering guidance as needed in order to help all involved meet their goals.

“By empowering everyone--including administrators, teachers, students, and parents--Mrs. Jones inspires the members of the West Side community to take a self-directed role in education. Mrs. Jones challenges the community to meet and exceed her expectations every day, and she works hard to meet and exceed theirs.

“Mrs. Sandi Jones is an outstanding school leader who inspires, guides and sustains others; she is a leader willing to do whatever it takes to meet students’ needs.  She shows that with effective leadership and teaching, and a conviction that all students can learn, schools can become powerful, joyful places that generate energy in their communities.”