GRAVETTE -- PAWS (Pawsitive and Wise Students) winners for December were announced at the Glenn Duffy Elementary "Rise and Shine" assembly Monday, Dec. 7. PAWS winners for the month are: Alexandria McDermott of Sulphur Springs, Canaan Johnson of Bella Vista, Jasmine Brogdon, Alexis Crawley, Colton Priebe and Preston Tinsley, all of Gravette.
PAWS awards are given in the classroom, hallway and cafeteria as an incentive for students to practice the PAWS skill for the months. Students are recognized at the monthly assemblies and given certificates and PAWS student of the month T-shirts sponsored by the Glenn Duffy Elementary PTO.
The PAWS program incorporates character education and positive behavior into the school community. Each month PAWS skills are chosen and discussed in classroom guidance in relation to character education. Respect is the word for this month. This is defined as being polite and considerate of others.
Richard Page, superintendent of schools, was guest speaker for the assembly. He talked to the students about how they can show respect by treating others the way they want to be treated. Page related how the pledges, school creed, school mission and even their actions could help them respect their environment, parents, teachers and school. Several GDE students participated with him for the presentation.
First grade teachers also presented a short lesson at the assembly about the social skill, "how to interrupt." This skill is emphasized this month as part of the school's Positive Behavioral Support System. While appropriately interrupting, they said, students should: 1) decide if they need to interrupt; 2) If so, walk up to the person needed; 3) Make eye contact, cue them and wait quietly for their turn, 4) Say "excuse me" to the person needed; and 5) Wait again until the person asks students what they need. First grade teachers are Andrea Nall, Tina Wellesley, Candis Jones, Tera Leroy, Margaret Martin and Heather Gabriele. Classroom assistant Sara Bolduc also participated.
Community on 12/16/2015