Greensburg — Greensburg Junior High School students, faculty, administrators and Decatur County dignitaries took time to celebrate the school’s recent “A” rating from the Indiana Department of Education Wednesday morning.

And they did it in style — “Gangnam Style,” to be precise.

In the middle of a packed gymnasium, teachers and faculty members showed their appreciation for their students’ tremendous collective academic effort by forming a “flash mob” of dancers, each taking part in some carefully choreographed dance moves made popular by rapper Psy’ ubiquitous hip hop hit, “Gangnam Style.”

Teacher Matt Slaven donned a tuxedo and shades before stepping to the middle of the gym floor and busting out his best dance moves. It didn’t take long for the rest of “The ‘A’ Team” (Slaven’s fellow teachers-turned-backup-dancers) to join him.

The crowd of students, immediately recognizing the tribute, roared with approval, and adults in attendance were hard pressed to hide their smiles.

The unexpected surprise prefaced the final school day before Thanksgiving break, sending the hard-working students off to class, then vacation, with another unforgettable school memory.

The students’ reward for their efforts followed kind words from Greensburg Community Schools Superintendent Tom Hunter, GJHS Principal Dave Strouse and Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert.

Strouse told students their achievement was possible “because students took the challenge to improve achievement in all areas of education.”

Strouse added, “The teachers worked tirelessly to provide meaningful, rigorous instruction, and the parents were also an integral part of the equation, encouraging students to strive for excellence.”

Superintendent Hunter stated his wish that “excellence in education” would follow the students throughout their lives, in all of their future endeavors.

“I want excellence in education to be a part of who we are in Greensburg,” Hunter said. “It’s a job well done and it takes all of you to make it happen,” Hunter added.

Mayor Herbert repeatedly told the young crowd how proud the City of Greensburg is of this accomplishment, stating the effort was “a combination of hard work and dedication.”

“Once again, you stand out,” said the Mayor who added that exemplary education is one of the cornerstones of any community, alongside a town’s hospitals, police, fire and public safety officials.

The celebration also brought along Decatur County Sheriff Greg Allen, School Resource Officer Bruce Kopple, Greensburg Community Schools Curriculum Director Tammy Williams and Greensburg Community Schools Board of Education members Al Moore, Steve Doerflinger and Lisa Tressler.

Students cheered as all were introduced, but saved their loudest applause for returning teachers Carol Boing, Connie Hayden and Jane Obermeyer, all of whom have retired.

But Wednesday’s presentation was less about honored guests and silly pageantry than it was an homage of sorts to the school system’s enduring mantra: All About Learning.

“This doesn’t come by accident,” said Hunter. “It comes from a lot of work ... We’re very proud.”

Greensburg Elementary School and Greensburg Community High School also received “A” grades from the Indiana DOE earlier this month.



Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056