Ripley Middle School

On October 30, RMS Student Council leaders were invited to speak at the Lauderdale County School Board meeting regarding their experiences in Student Council and at Ripley Middle School. 

President Taylor Carney spoke on the purpose of Student Council and the leadership it provides within our school. Taylor mentioned the local and state level conferences that our student leaders are able to attend as well as the lessons and takeaways from these activities. He also informed them of completed and upcoming projects, including the Council’s joint Veteran’s Day project with the RHS Student Council.

Treasurer Annsley Hartsfield spoke on the changes with Common Assessments. She explained how scores are related to students in terms of Levels 1-4 and what each of those levels represents. Annsley spoke about the addition of CA rewards to motivate students. She discussed the rewards that were provided for CA 1 and noted that for CA 2 rewards would be given for high achievement and individual growth. This would allow for all students to have the opportunity to feel successful.

Secretary Marley Heath spoke on how Lauderdale County’s R.O.A.R. Program is being implemented at RMS. She discussed the use of R.O.A.R. tickets to reinforce positive behaviors. Faculty and staff give out R.O.A.R. tickets to students who exhibit positive academic and social behaviors. Each Thursday during lunch, ten student names are selected from each grade and students receive various rewards such as free admission to an upcoming ballgame or snacks provided by the school. Marley also mentioned that at the end of each nine weeks, students who have had no discipline issues are able to attend the school-wide reward party. 

Historian Cade Pipkin spoke about the Move2Stand program. Move2Stand’s grade level assemblies broke down barriers among students and allowed for more understanding to occur among peers. Cade noted that the program has made an impact on him and several of his peers. He noted that since the Move2Stand program, students are more intentional with the words they speak to one another as they realize just how damaging they can be. Cade expressed appreciation for the Move2Stand program being brought to our school to help promote anti-bullying practices.

Ripley Middle School is proud of our student leaders for sharing these insightful updates with our School Board!