It was a special night for Meadow Drive Principal Pat Molloy. Not only did she celebrate her birthday Thursday night, but she was also granted administrative tenure by the Mineola Board of Education.

With fellow educators, parents and friends in attendance at Thursday night's board meeting at the Willis Avenue School, Mrs. Molloy was congratulated for her fine work as principal of Meadow Drive.

Superintendent of Schools for the Mineola School District Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli congratulated Mrs. Molloy. "It's appropriate she's dressed in blue because she is the blue ribbon principal," he said.

This past November, the Meadow Drive School was named a 2004 No Child Left Behind School, an award based on student achievement results. Schools chosen for the Blue Ribbon award are accomplishing the mission to ensure that every child learns and no child is left behind.

In addition, Meadow Drive celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Mrs. Molloy said that the school didn't become a Blue Ribbon school from the work of one person, as she thanked the board of education; administration, including Sheri Goffman, assistant superintendent for elementary education; the teachers and staff of the Meadow Drive School and the parents. "What is most impressive about Meadow Drive parents is that they not only care about their own children, they care about other children," she said.

Mrs. Molloy said receiving tenure is an honor, a privilege and a promise to work hard to give children what they need to achieve at the highest level possible.