Senator Patty Murray visits Blue Ridge Elementary

U.S. Senator Patty Murray stopped in Walla Walla August 24 to visit educators and students at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Murray visited three classrooms, discussed educational issues with Principal Kim Doepker and Superintendent Wade Smith and read to second grade students. 

Murray said she wanted to see first-hand how changes to federal legislation through the Every Student Succeeds Act are impacting Washington schools. She said she was proud to help lead the rewrite of this legislation to provide more state and local control of education. 

She also said it was critical for all students to have opportunities for a high quality education to be competitive in today's global economy. 

Fifth grade students Bianca Vieyra and Dedrick Thorpe from Stacey Klingenberg's class served as student ambassadors during the visit. Senator Murray interacted with students in Berta Herrera-Trejo, Tina Brennan and Heidi Cohan's classrooms during the 45 minute visit. 

PHOTO L-R: Principal Kim Doepker, student Bianca Vieyra, Senator Patty Murray, student Dedrick Thorpe and Superintendent Wade Smith.