IN Carlynton-Montour Winter 2018 | Page 46

MAKING HEADLINES With plans to be “Doin’ It Big” in 2019, seniors started the school year with a tailgate party on high school grounds. The kick off to the new school year has become an annual tradition. Dressed in senior tee shirts, classmates gathered for a breakfast buffet and a few rounds of corn hole. Several teachers and principals stood along the outskirts as informal chaperones, watching as peers huddled in groups for selfies to commemorate the last first day of school. A class meeting was held before all students entered the school to begin their final year as the Class of 2019. wear cooler clothes. It doesn’t matter, you have your thing. Be the kid who can get along, who is happy for others, who does the right thing…Be the nice kid.” The Carnegie Elementary positive behavior program offers guidelines for its Carnegie Cougars to follow, using the acronym PAWS: Practice respect, Act responsibly, Work together, and Stay Safe. At both schools, rewards such as Cougar paws or green buttons are being awarded to those who are kind, respectful, responsible, friendly, and helpful. The behavior program is helping to curb bullying, encouraging students to think before reacting, and promoting an atmosphere of tolerance. Crafton teachers Jessica Bigler, Dan Kuhn, Brenda Dzurko, and counselor Stephen Hope sport #bethenicekid tees. Front doin’ it big This year, initiatives at the elementary schools have introduced behavior support programs to promote a positive school-wide environment. At Carnegie Elementary, the slogan “It’s cool to be kind” can be found around the building or on tee shirts worn by all staff members one day each week. Crafton Elementary is reminding students to #bethenicekid and teachers are also reinforcing the conduct by sporting bright, green tees with the hashtag and phrase. An assembly at Crafton Elementary with the Gab Squad kicked off the “bethenicekid” theme, encouraging students to be accepting of others. The program echoed a banner that hangs on a wall of the school: “Some kids are smarter, some are better at sports, or Back Gabby from the Gab Squad reinforced a spirit of acceptance at a Crafton Elementary assembly as she got up close to address questions from students. Tee shirts for Carnegie Elementary staff are emboldened with graphics to reinforce positive behavior. Students joined Gabby in the front of the auditorium, dancing as she sang a song about the importance of being kind to everyone. 44 Carlynton-Montour