The Houses that Westwood built: Initiative creates excitement for middle-schoolers
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GRANVILLE - A group of teachers from Westwood Middle School spent some time over the summer in Atlanta, Georgia.
It wasn't a vacation, but they came back invigorated and excited to get back in the classroom to change up some things about education in that brick building above River Road.
One of those teachers came before Granville Town Council this week to ask that they consider becoming partners in that education process.
Brandi Wolfe, a Westwood English teacher, explained how her school is using ideas from the Ron Clark Academy to make school more exciting for all students. She asked that she be allowed to return to council with more teachers and some students to talk more about the Four Houses, One Family initiative.
Mayor Patricia Lewis said the town has worked closely with Westwood on other programs and she would like to hear more about how a partnership can be formed.
"Not everyone can participate and we understand that, but maybe we all can do some little bit," Lewis said.
According to the school's website, the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is an acclaimed, nonprofit middle school in southeast Atlanta. It also welcomes teachers from all over to visit and learn about its methods.
"The Academy has received both national and international recognition for its success for creating a loving, dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence and fosters leadership. Our 4th to 8th grade students represent various socio-economic and academic backgrounds and communities from across the metro region."
Wolfe said Westwood teachers were invited to tour the school by Huntington Bank. The group went there in July and returned "with excitement and lots of ideas."
The first idea put into play was to create four houses - think Harry Potter - and to randomly place each student, teacher, staff member into a house. Wolfe, who is in Isibindi, said there are about 86 members in each house - students from each grade level, teachers, office staff, custodians, etc. The other houses are Altruismo, Amistad and Reveur. Each has a chant, a color, a coat of arms and other characteristics that set them apart.
"The goal is to create excitement for them to come to school," Wolfe said.
House competitions give the students opportunities to learn teamwork and earn house points. Isibindi and Amistad, whose house colors are red and green, are making Christmas cards for residents of nursing homes and holding a blanket drive.
Wolfe said they want Westwood students who live in Granville to feel connected to Granville through a partnership with the town.
"It takes a community to be part of the journey," she said. "We are asking for you to be involved, not just by giving money. We'd love for you to adopt or sponsor a house, recognize student accomplishments and just show up at school events. Connect with our young people and demonstrate the importance of involvement."
Wolfe even invited town leaders to become members of a House and attend meetings and events.
"We think this will improve behaviors, our reputation. We think it's something that is going to be amazing," she said.
Wolfe plans to return to Granville soon with more teachers and students to talk more about the initiative and how the town and its leaders can be involved.