Riverside named state "School to Watch"

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Riverside Intermediate School has been recognized by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association (IMLSA) with their “Schools to Watch” Award.

Riverside Principal Donna Burroughs submitted a lengthy application to the IMLSA last fall.
Out of the numerous applications from all over the state, Riverside was one of only three schools selected for an on-site visit by the state’s “Schools to Watch” Award Committee.

Last week, reviewers converged on the school before the students arrived and stayed until well after the students left for the day. Interviewers included Randy Feola, Washington Twp. Middle School, Valparaiso – teacher; Maureen Farag, Highland Middle School Assistant Principal; Mark Anderson, Decatur Middle School, principal; and Shirley Wright, director of Indiana Middle Level Education Association.

According to Burroughs, to be considered for this award, the school has to meet the following criteria: Achieve academic excellence; be developmentally responsive to unique student needs; be socially equitable, democratic, and fair; and have strong structures for learning in place.
After touring the entire school, a panel met with Plymouth business/community partners to help understand how a school interacts with the community.

Burroughs said, “The steps in this award process fit right in with what we are trying to achieve at Riverside-teach the whole child.”

Prior to the site visit, the staff had to complete a seven-page self-study and rating sheet meant to pinpoint areas of excellence to areas of need.

As part of the recognition for this award, a community celebration will be held later this spring and educational leaders from the state will be in attendance with the local school community. Also, a few staff members from Riverside will attend the national recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. from June 21-23, 2012 to be recognized with representatives from the other ‘Schools to Watch” winners from other states.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News