By Christian Silvia

Students and educators packed into the Pocasset Elementary School gymnasium Wednesday to celebrate a first-ever accomplishment — recognition from the state as one of three high-performing “Blue Ribbon” schools across Rhode Island.

The state's Blue Ribbon program was established this year to recognize and honor exceptional academic performance, following the Trump administration’s cancellation of a national Blue Ribbon program over the summer. Pocasset won the award as an “exemplary achievement gap closing school,’ an award dedicated to closing academic achievement gaps among all students.

“Every educator at Pocasset works hard to make sure that our students know what they need to do,” principal Amy Donnelly-Roche said, describing Pocasset as a place where staff and

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