St. Pius X students release blue balloons to celebrate their Blue Ribbon award. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        EDGEWOOD — That mass of royal blue balloons coming from Dudley Road Monday was a celebration. It was the finale of St. Pius X School's observance for receiving a national education award.

        St. Pius X became a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in May. Monday's celebration, which included eating ice cream mixed with blue food coloring and letting children wear something other than school uniforms, was the last step in nearly 18 months' work.

        Principal Betty Trenkamp said the school didn't add any new programs in hopes of getting the award.

        “We just felt we had a high-quality program,” Ms. Trenkamp said.

        St. Pius X is one of three Diocese of Covington Schools to achieve Blue Ribbon status. Blessed Sacrament Elementary in Fort Mitchell earned it in 1994, and Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills received it in 1995.

        “We are thrilled for our neighboring school,” Blessed Sacrament principal Michele Gummer said. “It's so nice to have a diocesan school to be a Blue Ribbon school. It's a lot of team effort and working together.”

        A fourth Northern Kentucky parochial school, the high school section at Villa Madonna Academy in Villa Hills, is trying for the honor.

        “We've gone through the application process,” said Mike Whelan, president of Villa Madonna's elementary and high schools.“I would say we're at the beginning, but it's taken six months to get that far. We think we are a Blue Ribbon School, but we didn't have the designation.”

        Tracy Glassmeyer was part of the committee of parents and teachers who accumulated the data on school programs and filled out the 38-page application — while sons Luke and Kevin and daughter Katie were in the swimming pool at their Edgewood home.

        “During the summer, when you're writing this stuff, I'd rather be in my pool,” Ms. Glassmeyer said. “Now it's worth it.”

        Monday, about 750 St. Pius X students in grades K-8 gathered in front of the school. At the command of St. Pius X Church pastor the Rev. Robert Wehage, away the balloons went.

        It was a process that involved more than a helium tank to inflate the balloons.

        “We had to call the airport to get a clearance for this,” Ms. Glassmeyer said. “It took four hours to blow up the balloons with helium.”

        School improvements are continuing. Ms. Trenkamp mentioned supplemental pay for teachers involved in extracurricular activities beginning this year — a staple at public schools but a first at St. Pius X.

        But the largest projects at the 43-year-old campus are coming:

        • Building up to four new classrooms.

        • Upgrading the 1950s-era fire alarm system

        • Installing air conditioning. Father Wehage said national trends indicate a shift to year-round classes.

        • Making restrooms handicapped-accessible.

        • Improving the gymnasium.

        • Creating a more secure entrance to the school.

        Father Wehage said there are also plans to add office, meeting and storage space at both the church and school and expand the sanctuary. Total cost: about $8.5 million.

        Meetings with parish members to discuss plans begin at 7 p.m. next Monday and Tuesday at the school.

        It was a happy Blue Monday for Katie Spencer, a 12-year-old sixth-grader from Edgewood.

        “I thought it was a good idea,” Katie said. “If we got an award, we should have it recognized.”

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