Gravette -- PAWS award winners were announced at the March Rise and Shine assembly at Glenn Duffy Elementary School. PAWS ("Pawsitive" and Wise Student) winners for the month of March were Saydee Davis, John Gregory, Rebekah Schmidt and Ronan Soule, all of Gravette; Braiden Sales of Sulphur Springs; and Sulli Schaffer of Bella Vista. PAWS awards are given in the classroom, hallway and cafeteria as an incentive for students to practice the PAWS skill of the month. Students are recognized at monthly assemblies and are given certificates and T-shirts sponsored by the Glenn Duffy Elementary PTO.
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. Problem-solving is the word for this month. This is defined as focusing on the problem as it is, gathering information, then using knowledge to solve the problem. Flick says, "Together, even the smallest can achieve the greatest goal." (A Bug's Life).
Students got to see problem solving in action at this assembly when a glitch in the sound system prevented the microphone and music from working properly as a teacher, Candis Jones, welcomed students. Teachers were frantically gathering information, while students and guests were curious about how the assembly could go on. Then Jones started the National Anthem, "pitch perfect" style, and soon coach Melissa Pittman brought her portable sound system from the gym to be used for the rest of the presentations. Children witnessed firsthand how people can use knowledge, experience and even teamwork to find solutions.
Top sellers for the school's Subway card fundraiser were also recognized by the Glenn Duffy PTO. Students selling the most cards were Memphis Bumgardner, Grace Finley, Bobby Flippo, Khloe Sales and Brandon Smith. Students raised more than $4,000 to use for playground improvements.
Members of the Gravette Lions Club also attended the assembly. Club president Jeff Davis and member Chris Crose presented a check to school nurse Wendy Catron. The $200 donation will be used to provide snack packs for children and help buy supplies for those with emergency clothing needs. "We appreciate this donation, as well as the vision screenings that the Lions Club performs at our school," said Zane Vanderpool, Glenn Duffy principal.
First-grade teachers presented a short lesson about the social skill dealing with teasing. This skill is emphasized this month as part of the school's positive behavioral support system. While practicing this skill, students were taught to 1) take a deep breath, 2) ignore the person teasing them, 3) if needed, tell them to stop in a brave voice, 4) if needed, look away or walk away from the person, and 5) then ask for help if needed. First-grade teachers are Heather Gabriele, Candis Jones, Tera Leroy, Margaret Martin, Andrea Nall and Tina Wellesley.
Community on 03/16/2016