Joselyn King Trending
Ritchie Elementary School is showing its colors as it continues to celebrate being named a National Blue Ribbon School.
This week, Ohio County Board of Education members recognized Ritchie School's achievement, with the board room decked out in Ritchie's colors of blue of white. Teachers and staff at the school turned out for the celebration. Many wore t-shirts stating, "Ritchie is our name. Learning is our game."
Ritchie Elementary learned just last week it was named a National Blue Ribbon School.
"Since then, we've been in celebration mode," Principal John Jorden told those present.
The school had a "blue day" on Thursday in which they wore Ritchie School's blue and white colors.
"I may never wear anything but blue ever again," Jorden added.
In November, he will travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the National Blue Ribbon award for Ritchie School.
"It is quite an honor, and we are very blessed," Jorden said. "We have a great staff, supportive community members and amazing students.
"It's a proud day to be a Ritchie Hornet."
He said the process began in late January when he and Superintendent Kim Miller West Virginia were notified by the West Virginia Department of Education that Ritchie Elementary was a nominee to be a Blue Ribbon school.
"To get that nomination, the school has to have the state's highest standardized test scores," Jorden told board members. "As you know, our test scores speak for themselves and are the best in the state."
The 26-page application asked questions about teaching strategies, school leadership, parent involvement, afterschool programs and the school's culture, he continued. It took a couple of months to complete.
The application was submitted in late March. Jorden said he was soon notified by email that the school may be asked to revise their application, but in May he received a second email telling him "no revisions necessary."
He believed that was a telling sign that Ritchie Elementary would receive Blue Ribbon recognition, and it is not the first school to achieve that honor.
Board member Erik Schramm noted the last Ohio County Schools facility to be named a National Blue Ribbon School was Woodsdale Elementary in 2014. Prior to that, Triadelphia Middle School received the recognition in 2011; Warwood School, in 2006; Steenrod Elementary, in 2003; Madison School, in 1997; Elm Grove Elementary, in 1992; Wheeling Park High School, in 1984; Triadelphia Middle School, in 1983; Bridge Street Middle School, in 1983; and the former Wheeling Junior High, in 1983.
The Blue Ribbon School Programs is one of the nation's longest-running school programs since 1982, according to Superintendent Kim Miller. She was principal at Woodsdale Elementary when it achieved its Blue Ribbon recognition in 2014.
She called Jorden "a true leader."
"He has a goal, he puts the goal out there, he articulates the goal and it makes magic in the classrooms," Miller said. "Ritchie Elementary School becoming a National Blue Ribbon School exemplifies what you all do everyday - the work you do inside the classroom, the work you do outside the classroom, and the work you do in your communities....
"You all are something special, and I can't say enough about the work you do for your kids."
Board member Pete Chacalos told the Ritchie staff "it was quite an honor and an accomplishment to be considered a Blue Ribbon school."
"I'm so proud of you, and all the hard work you do...," said board member Molly Aderholt. "Thank you very much for putting your heart and soul into this."
Board member David Croft added Ritchie Elementary "has always been the platinum standard in Ohio County."
"You guys have it right," he told the staff members. "I've asked if we could just get some of that pixie dust and spray it on the other schools and have the type of performance you have. Your efforts have an impact on the kids, their performance and their learning."
Board president Andy Garber had just started as principal at the Warwood School when it was named a Blue Ribbon school in 2006.
"They (students and staff) did all the hard work, and I reaped the rewards," Garber told the Ritchie Elementary Staff. "I think you have shown that learning is your game. The students have reaped the rewards of all your hard work."