EKB News

Belfry Middle School joined 47 exemplary middle schools chosen nationally as "Schools to Watch," during an awards ceremony Thursday held in the school's gymnasium.STW is part of a recognition program developed in 1999 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, an alliance of more than 60 educators, researchers, and officers of national associations and foundations dedicated to improving schools for young adolescents across the country.BMS became one of nine middle schools in the Bluegrass to be chosen. Principal James Hurley welcomed several local and state leaders to the ceremony, including Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Jon E. Draud."You can go tell everyone across the state that James Hurley said he thinks he's got the best school in the state," Hurley said to the Commissioner. "I know I have the best students."Draud agreed and told the crowd of teachers, students and parents, "You are now a model middle school and a lot of people will be watching you.""We are proud of you and we are going to be bragging about you throughout the state of Kentucky," he said. "We want other school districts in Kentucky to be like Belfry Middle School."STW Specialist Karen Hamilton told Hurley people were already talking about his school."I was in Boyd County Middle School and the first words to come out of the Principal's mouth were 'what about Belfry,'" said Hamilton. "(BMS) will be viewed as a place where people want to come to get a good education."The Center for middle school academic achievement Director Fran Salyers spoke about the vision of BMS which states, "Striving to be the best.""Well, you are one of the best," she told the students. "You've worked hard and this award wouldn't come to this school without you."Using the National Forum's criteria, 150 schools in 16 states have been designated as STW. According to STW website, these schools are characterized by academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational support


Courtesy : Article written by Pamela Scott Johnson of Williamson Daily News