ABERDEEN, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Education has honored the Ripley Lewis Huntington Local School District and the RULH Middle School with the “2019 Momentum Award.”
The award recognizes the district exceeded expectations in student academic growth for the year. The district was one of only 48 in Ohio to receive the award out of the 610 total school districts statewide, and among 165 schools out of more than 3,500 public schools in the state of Ohio.
“I’m very proud of the students and staff,” said Superintendent Jamie Wilkins, “they worked very hard for this award. This recognition by the state is evidence of the quality of education provided throughout the RULH Local School District.”
To receive this award, schools must earn straight A’s on all Valued-Added measures on the report card. The school or district must have at least two Value-Added subgroups of students, which includes gifted, lowest 2o percent in achievement, and students with disabilities. The RULH School District and the RULH Middle School both met the requirements to be commended for their academic aptitude.
RULH Middle School Principal Jerod Michael, who believes that “if you’re not having fun, you’re in the wrong building,” attributes the middle school’s performance to smaller class sizes, openness among staff and a philosophy passed down to him from Wilkins.
“Mr. Wilkins, this is his third year here as a superintendent, and he has always preached two things: we’re going to be good people, and we’re here to learn. Those are the two things we’re doing in this building. So if the kids are being great kids to other kids, they’re being good people, our teachers are being good people, and we understand that we’re here to be a good person and to learn, then all the other things will take care of themselves. That’s the big piece.” Michael said.
RULH Middle School has put a premium on small class sizes. Michael said if you break it down per each student to subject level, the children are getting more time individually with each teacher.
“I’d rather have 50-minute classes or 40-minute classes with less kids in it. So I know that’s something that we’ve kind of changed around here. Again, I don’t know that we’re doing anything different, or better, but we’re showing a lot of growth, and that’s what’s important,” he said.
Michael, who was a teacher before taking on his leadership position, has encouraged the teachers to collaborate and share their ideas and strategies with each other. He promotes a level of openness. He is frequently in classrooms himself, preferring the joys of that environment to his corner office, he said. Even so, Michael removes himself from the spotlight of the award.
“It’s about the teachers and the kids. Everyone said “great job.” I didn’t do anything, the teachers did it all. The kids together with the teachers (and we’ve had parent support) so again, it’s not me. It’s the parents, teachers and kids. I just get to be the head of it and accept the award graciously, but it’s not me: it’s them.” he said.
