LANESBOROUGH, Mass. – Principal Nolan Pratt called the student body into the gym on Friday afternoon to share that Laneseborough Elementary received an award for academic achievement that went to just two schools in the commonwealth in 2025.

 

But that news paled in comparison to what came next.

 

“For the first time in the history of Lanesborough Elementary, the entire school was named ‘Wyvern of the Week,’ “ Pratt told the kindergarten through sixth-graders. “We’re also going to give you some special treats. You each have a cupcake and an extra 30 minutes of recess today.”

 

That really got a charge out of the pupils, who erupted with sheer joy upon hearing the reward for their hard work.

 

That work culminated in the commonwealth’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education naming LES a National Elementary and Secondary Education Distinguished School.

 

The school was honored for “exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth,” according to the ESEA’s criteria for the award.

 

“[The award] reflects their hard work, their curiosity, and the impressive academic growth they demonstrate every day in the classroom,” Mount Greylock Regional School District Superintendent Joseph Bergeron said in a news release announcing the honor. This achievement also highlights the expertise of our dedicated staff who care for our students and facilitate high-level learning, and the vital partnership we have with our families who support our schools."

 

Pratt on Friday told the children that performance and growth was achieved by exhibiting the characteristics associated with the school’s weekly honor named for its mascot, a mythical dragon.

 

“To win this, we show up,” Pratt said. “It starts by showing up to school every day that you feel enough to show up at school. The second part is trying your best – every single day. … The third part, kindness. We’re all kind to one another, building a community of learning and helping us grow every single day.”

 

The brief assembly included a chance for the children to stand up and applaud all the faculty and staff who helped them perform their best.

 

Afterward, Pratt  talked about how that support system includes the pupils’ families.

 

“The Lanesborough community, parents and non-parents, are supportive of what we do at our school,” he said. “Whenver we call home – positive or negative – we have supportive and informed conversations to help children grow.

 

“Checking in has definitely been a big push that we’ve done. I think our teachers really do a lot of communicating with parents. And there’s concern to have a good relationship – a good parent/caregiver relationship with the school.”