Published: May 12, 2008 09:43 pm            

Northern Middle honored as school to watch

Somerset — For the second consecutive time, Northern Middle School has been chosen as a School to Watch.

“Being named a school to watch is proof of our excellence,” said Northern Middle School Principal Angela Murphy.

Murphy said while being designated is hard, sustaining that goal sometimes seems impossible.

However, she said at the school they truly embrace the team concept.

“We truly embrace the concept that together everyone achieves more,” said Murphy.

Through the state Schools to Watch initiative, schools are identified across the United States that are well on their way to meeting the criteria for high performance. Three things are true of STW, high-performing middle-grades schools:

• They are academically excellent and they challenge all students to use their minds well.

• They are developmentally responsive and are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence.

• They are socially equitable. These schools are democratic and fair, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and supports.

Fran Salyers, director of the Center for Middle School Academic Achievement, said of the 16 states which named Schools to Watch this year, only 48 were chosen and Northern is only one of 150 schools chosen across the United States over three years.

Salyers said to accomplish such a feat a school must have a staff who cares, a district office that supports the school, parent and family support and students who are willing to work hard.

“To think for the second time you’ve earned this prestigious award is really awesome,” said Tim Eaton, superintendent of Pulaski County Schools.

On hand for the celebration was Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education, Jon Draud, who agreed that it is a great honor for a school to be selected as a School to Watch for a second time.

Draud said it is obvious that at the school everyone is being treated with respect and Northern Middle School has adopted the right kinds of intervention strategies, as sometimes students need some help. He also added that he believed parents, teachers and community leaders were all very supportive of the school.

Assistant Principal Shelly Hargis said through their response to intervention team they try to meet the needs of struggling students and achieving students during the school day.

“We’re proud of our kids and the success they have,” said Hargis. “ ... We believe we can be the best in the state and we aspire to do that.”

Draud then told those at the school they must remember the award carries a lot of responsibility.

“You want to be a good example for the rest of Kentucky and the rest of the nation when they come and visit,” said Draud.

Other schools in Kentucky chosen as a 2008 School to Watch include Belfry Middle School (Pike County), Benton Middle School (Marshall County), Eastside Middle School (Bullitt County), F.T. Burns Middle School (Daviess County), James E. Bazzell Middle School (Allen County), Lloyd B. McGuffey Sixth Grade Center (Lincoln County), Oldham County Middle School (Oldham County) and Olmstead Middle School (Logan County). Of those F.T. Burns Middle School, Olmstead Middle School and Northern Middle were all redesignated after being named a School To Watch in 2005, as designations are made every three years.

        

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