Photo Provided RIVER ELEMENTARY School, shown here in Hannibal, recently received the School of Honor High Progress award from the Ohio Department of Education.

HANNIBAL — River Elementary School recently received a School Performance Award from the Ohio Department of Education.

Principal Eric James said the School of Honor High Progress award was given for the 2018-19 school year.

“This was for high progress on the ODE tests. It’s a pretty big deal,” James said. “It’s great. We’re one of 71 other schools in Ohio, and to my knowledge there are over 3,000 in the state. It’s a pretty big deal. We’re excited. I think the district is excited about it as well.”

River Elementary’s eligibility for the award included that it is a Title I school; that its third through eighth grades were math and English Language Arts proficient in a five-year period, which means students met or exceeded the 90th percentile in statewide gains; and it received an A or B on the state report card.

“We received a B because we had one deficit,” James said, noting the deficiency was in positive behavior intervention support. “We should be an A next year.”

The Ohio Department of Education noted it recognized 72 total schools, including River Elementary, for their high achievement. Each of these schools has a “substantial proportion of economically disadvantaged students (40 percent or more).”

“Across the state, there is increased student exposure to poverty and social stressors,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria said. “These schools are succeeding in meeting the needs of the whole child, and helping students take full advantage of educational opportunities. Congratulations to the students, teachers and administrators at these schools for the impressive success we celebrate with these awards.”

James noted River Elementary School received the ODE’s Momentum Award in 2018.

“I would attribute both of these awards to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of the staff that we have here. These people do great things for the benefit of the children in this school community. I’d also say hats off to our volunteers and parents that are involved daily with our students. It’s a total team effort here on the River campus between the elementary/middle and high school buildings. Our mantra, created by high school Principal Ed Trifonoff, is ‘Pilot the Ship,'” James said.

In addition to James, the River Elementary staff includes Assistant Principal Michele Grant, Jordan Jones, Crystal Longwell, Jennifer Isaly, April Bresiger, Rebecca Reddin, Michele Straub, Kris Hinrichs, Annette Duke, Alex Fetty, Bobbi Jo Yost, Laura Dotterer, Kendra Straub, Cody Maynard, Terri Reynolds, Mariah Warrington, Lois Christman, Sarah Smith, Cassie Hammel, Casey Ruble, Erin Jeffers, Valerie Williamson, Kris Pfalzgraf, Karen Romick, Jaime Bier, Jamee Stewart, Jennifer Haught, Mike Kelly, Connie Thompson, Courtney Still, Karissa Woodell, Jananne Ferrere, Chris Adams, Sharon Isner, Terri Isaly, Jamie Baker, Jo Winkler, Joe Asturi, Dustin Ferguson and Kyle Burkhart.