The following is an article published in The Chronicle newspaper as of September 2004:

     Scotland Elementary School has recently received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children for its attempt to improve childhood education.

     The group, the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals, has currently accredited more than 8,000 early childhood programs, serving nearly 750,000 children.

     "We're proud to be accredited by NAEYC, and recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," said Paul Blackstone, principal of Scotland Elementary School.

     Blackstone credits the improvement to Karen Slyman, the school's preschool teacher, and Paula Brisson, the kindergarten teacher, for their ability to reach such ambitious standards.

     "They worked very closely with their paraprofessionals, Michelle Gibson and Joan Naumec, in making the NAEYC accreditation a reality," said Blackstone.

Receiving accreditation is an honorable award.  For several months, we worked on paperwork; questionnaires based on the number of students we had, staff, curriculum, books, playground equipment, etc.  We corrected items that needed attention.  We worked hard to set our rooms up to show a developmentally appropriate classroom.  When we were ready, we set up a date for a visit from NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).  When this procedure was complete, all of the paperwork and notes from our visit was sent to Washington, D.C.  At this time a board accepts or declines our accreditation.  Our school has been added to a list of the schools that have received accreditation.  The accreditation states that we have a quality early childhood program.  We will keep our title for five years, then we will need to go through this procedure again.  We will also have to have an annual review.  Mrs. Slyman and Mrs. Brisson are very proud to have received this accreditation for Scotland Elementary School