Glenn Duffy Elementary PAWS award winners

Submitted photo Greg White, boys’ basketball coach at Gravette High School, was guest speaker for the April Rise and Shine assembly at Glenn Duffy Elementary School. He spoke to the students about accountability and how they must be responsible for their actions in the classroom, on the court and at home. He said accountability could be wrapped up in three words: own your outcome.
Submitted photo Greg White, boys’ basketball coach at Gravette High School, was guest speaker for the April Rise and Shine assembly at Glenn Duffy Elementary School. He spoke to the students about accountability and how they must be responsible for their actions in the classroom, on the court and at home. He said accountability could be wrapped up in three words: own your outcome.

GRAVETTE -- PAWS ("Pawsitive and Wise" Students) Students of the Month at Glenn Duffy Elementary School were honored at this month's Rise and Shine assembly on April 4. PAWS Students of the Month for April are Caiden McCool and Aiden Sabby of Bella Vista, Kaleb Holloway of Bentonville, Addie Long, Lexi Lothes and Ian Nelson of Gravette. They were recognized, given award certificates and T-shirts sponsored by the Glenn Duffy Elementary PTO.

PAWS awards are given in the classroom, hallway and cafeteria as an incentive for students to practice the PAWS skill for the month. The Glenn Duffy Elementary 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. Accountability is the word for April. This is defined as taking responsibility for something you have done or something you are supposed to do. Rafiki from Lion King says, "Maturity comes when you stop making excuses and start making changes."

Greg White, Gravette High School boys' basketball coach, was guest speaker at the assembly and spoke to the students about accountability. He told stories of how students must be responsible for their actions in the classroom, on the court and at home. Coach White described how he tells his team and his own sons that accountability could be wrapped up in three words: own your outcome. When you are responsible for your actions and your decisions, you are in control and can be accountable for the results. These things can include anything from brushing teeth to doing your best on a big test, he said.

Second grade teachers presented a short lesson about the social skill "Dealing with Losing." This skill is emphasized this month as part of the school's Positive Behavioral Support System. While practicing this skill, students were asked to 1) take a deep breath and count to five, 2) say "everyone can't win every time," 3) think about the last time you won a similar activity and say, "Maybe I'll win next time," and 4) decide whether you want to play again or do something else. Second grade teachers are Traci Rutledge, Vicki Holloway, Jared Magness, Amber Sisemore, Angie Denver and Stephanie Farmer.

Community on 04/13/2016