Severn Avenue Public School has been named one of the world's most inviting by an international organization of educators.

School staff made a visit to Atlanta, GA earlier this month to receive a 2004 Inviting School Award from the International Alliance for Invitational Education (IAIE) at its bi-annual world conference.

The IAIE was founded in 1982 by a coalition of 12 Canadian and American educators. According to the organization's Web site, its mandate is "to recognize schools, districts and universities throughout the world who exhibit the philosophy of invitational education."

That philosophy involves maximizing the potential of students by creating an inviting atmosphere.

"Invitational Education asserts that every person and everything in and around schools adds to, or subtracts from, the process of being a beneficial presence in the lives of students," says the Web site. "Ideally, the factors of people, places, policies, programs and processes should be so intentionally inviting as to create an environment in which every person is cordially summoned to develop intellectually, socially, physically, psychologically, and spiritually."

Severn staff prepared a 50-page portfolio for entry with input from students, parents, colleagues, administrators, alumni, and community leaders. Dr. Ruth Dempsey, an IAIE member also submitted a letter of recommendation on behalf of the school.

"Invitational Education is the process by which people are cordially, creatively, and consistently summoned to realize their potential," she wrote. "This reflects the ethos of Severn Avenue Public School. Here is a group of vibrant students, teachers, parents, community members and an enthusiastic principal, all working together to create a dynamic learning community and build a better world." "I was so proud that Severn Avenue Public School was chosen to receive this award," said Principal Lynne McCarney. "We have made so many positive strides forward, building self-esteem in students, using the arts to reveal the strengths in each student, and encouraging parents to participate in school life. Families throughout the area entrust us with their children's education."

Guest speakers at the conference included singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary and Betty Seigel, an IAIE co-founder and president of Kennesaw State University in Atlanta.