NP schools welcome Ritz as guest

Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz receives a welcome package from Bainbridge Elementary School Principal Rodney Simpson Friday on a tour of three Putnam County schools. Ritz accepted the invitation to tour North Putnam Middle School, Roachdale Elementary and Bainbridge Elementary in order to view construction projects, visit with teachers and see how the schools operate on a day-to-day basis. (Photo by KYLE HOLLINGER)

North Putnam schools received an early morning visit from Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz Friday.

Ritz was invited to tour North Putnam Middle School, Bainbridge Elementary and Roachdale Elementary to view construction projects, visit with teachers and to see how the schools operate on a day-to-day basis.

Ritz, going into her second year as state superintendent, recently released part three of her State of the Classroom series in which she focuses on the importance of school and community partnerships to encourage student success.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz addresses the honor breakfast at North Putnam Middle School on Friday. Ritz also toured Bainbridge and Roachdale elementary schools while in the county. (Courtesy photo)

"I'm very impressed with the renovations that they're doing with the facilities but I actually look for a lot of good instructional practices," Ritz said about her visit.

"I'm very pleased with what I am seeing."

Accompanying Ritz on her sunrise tour were State Sen. Pete Miller (R-Avon) and North Putnam Superintendent Dan Noel, who introduced her to the principals as her team made its way through each of the schools.

Ritz travels several days each week and has already visited over half of the school corporations of Indiana, covering 80 of the 92 counties in the state.

"In Indiana, we currently have 294 school districts and 2,210 schools. Schools are the hub of communities where families spend more than 13 years nurturing their children within our K-12 system," Ritz said.

"We want the best for our children and we look to our schools to provide a high quality education."

Ritz, who was a school librarian and media specialist before getting involved with politics, was elected in 2012 after winning the general election against incumbent Tony Bennett, marking the first time a Democrat had held the seat since 1972.

"When parents send their children to school they want them to be safe, enjoy learning and develop the confidence needed to succeed," Ritz said regarding community and academic responsibility.

"No matter the community, we can always improve our schools and the programming we provide for our children,"

"I was invited to come to the honors program at North Putnam Middle School...enjoyed the honors breakfast and then toured the middle school."

"I travel two to three days per week, I've seen over half of the school corporations and have been in 80 of the 92 counties already, not quite two years into my term."

"I'm making sure that I'm visiting as many schools as I possibly can."

"I'm very impressed with the renovations that they're doing with the facilities but I actually look for a lot of good instructional practices...I'm very please with what I'm seeing."