Scripps Middle School recently joined a distinguished group, as principal Ken Gutman accepted the school’s 2004 Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award.
State Board of Education president Kathleen Strauss informed students, staff and parents gathered for a Blue Ribbon ceremony at the newly remodeled school on May 12 that Scripps was one of only 13 middle and high schools receiving the Blue Ribbon award this year. Scripps is one of five middle schools selected by the state for 2003-04.
Since the program began in 1982, the Michigan Department of Education has recognized more than 350 schools with Blue Ribbon Awards. Carpenter Elementary in Lake Orion won the award last year.
The purpose of the Blue Ribbon program is to: Identify and give public recognition to outstanding public and private schools that achieve high academic standards or have shown significant academic improvement over five years; and to make available a comprehensive framework of key criteria for school effectiveness that can continue to improve school quality.
The program also helps to communicate best practices for educational success within and among Michigan schools.
The U.S. Department of Education eliminated the Blue Ribbon program in 2002 and replaced it with a program focused solely on test scores.
The state board of education elected to maintain the Blue Ribbon program, which is also aligned with their overall goal of optimizing the level of academic achievement in all schools, especially those chronically underperforming.
‘We know how very critical public education is to our democracy,? Strauss said. ‘We want all schools to be like Scripps.?
‘This prestigious award is a tribute to our exceptional staff, wonderful students and our extremely involved, supportive parents,? said Gutman, adding that applying for a Blue Ribbon award was a process of many years.
‘We’ve taken a journey with our middle school program,? said Dr. Craig Younkman, superintendent of Lake Orion Community Schools. ‘It started eight years ago with our transition team…at that point and time, our two middle schools were overcrowded.?
Younkman said Scripps? Blue Ribbon was the cumulation of that plan.?
‘The Blue Ribbon is a recognition, it’s an affirmation that what you’re doing is good, by an outside group that comes in and looks,? he said. ‘The facility was only the first step…we’ve added new programs, to help students set goals…We have a new standard for our middle schools.?
Scripps teacher Kathy Martin said she was so proud ‘I’m nearly bursting.?
‘We’ll continue to be progressive and innovative as we prepare our students for their futures,? she said. ‘I personally feel a profound sense of pride, and I’m proud to be part of this group of outstanding professionals.?
Fellow teacher Cathy Smith invited everyone at the award ceremony to take a look around the gym.
‘In this room are some amazing people,? she said. ‘A Blue Ribbon does not just happen…Scripps is a very close community, we consider it a family.?
‘Scripps is really cool,? Strauss told the students. ‘You have big futures ahead of you.?