'Pawsitive' and Wise Students recognized

GRAVETTE -- PAWS ("Pawsitive" and Wise Student) winners for January at Glenn Duffy Elementary School were recognized at the Jan. 4 Rise and Shine assembly. PAWS award winners for January were Hudson Harris of Decatur, Nolan McBride of Bella Vista, Isaac Nichols of Bella Vista, Miah Orozco of Gravette, Kayden Reynolds of Gravette and Lily Summerford of Centerton. Each winner was given a certificate and a T-shirt 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. Courageous is the word for this month. This is defined as the ability to do something that we know is difficult. A quote that helped the students relate to this is from "Winnie the Pooh." Christopher Robin says, "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

PAWS awards are given in the classroom, hallway and cafeteria as an incentive for students to practice the PAWS skill for the month. Winners are recognized at monthly Rise and Shine assemblies.

Second grade teachers also presented a short lesson about the social skill using nice talk at the assembly. This skill is being emphasized this month as part of the school's Positive Behavioral Support System. While practicing this skill students were taught to 1) look at the person they want to talk to, 2) think about what they want to say, 3) keep their hands by their sides and use a friendly voice and 4) say what they want to say in a friendly way. Second grade teachers are Traci Rutledge, Vicki Holloway, Jared Magness, Amber Sizemore, Angie Denver and Stephanie Farmer.

Glenn Duffy students were also able to celebrate meeting reading goals for Accelerated Reader. Library media specialist Faith Hendricks encourages all children to read for enjoyment and knowledge. The school achieved a goal of 500 points for the three weeks in December. As a reward, three readers were selected to silly string Mrs. Hendricks. Teachers appreciate how Mrs. Hendricks is willing to motivate their students to read.