POSITIVE ASPECTS OF WALNUT ELEMENTARY
What Makes Us Succeed
We believe that a successful student population is also a motivated student population. Therefore, we practice the philosophy of emphasizing the positive and working to eliminate the negative. Below are several programs that help us to accomplish this goal.
. Character Counts - We utilize the six pillars of Character Counts on a daily basis. When staff members observe students using one of the pillars, they give that student a pillar that is then deposited in a container. At the end of each grading period, names are drawn and prizes are awarded.
. High Five Award - Each grading period, any student who achieves in five areas (honor roll, perfect attendance, no late or incomplete work, no discipline referrals, and a positive citizenship referral from each of the student's teachers), will be recognized for achieving The High Five Award. To honor these students, their names and pictures will be displayed on our High Five display in the main entrance, a certificate will be presented, and a special reward will be given. This special reward could be something such as an after-school bowling trip, lunch at McDonald's, etc. Since its implementation, we have averaged 27 students each grading period earning this award. This is equal to about 16% of our eligible students!
. Homework Policy - Our homework policy is designed in such a way that teachers, students and parents all stay actively involved to monitor and maintain homework on a daily basis. Our students complete their work on time, on a regular basis, which causes them to be successful, because success breeds success. School wide, our students average only 3 or 4 late or incomplete assignments over the course of the school year.
. Blue Slips - These are good referrals to the principal's office. Anyone on staff may refer any student for anything positive. These may include exceptional work, improvement, helping others, showing pride in their school, achievement in any area, or a number of other positive traits. Students choose a "prize" from the Blue Slip shelves in the principal's office for their effort. The Blue Slip is signed by the teacher and the principal and then taken home.
. Blue Eagle Award - As a positive aspect of our homework policy, the Blue Eagle was implemented. Each class has a Blue Eagle (our mascot) which is cut into 12 pieces. Each day that the entire class has no late or incomplete work, they add a piece of the puzzle to the picture. When all 12 pieces have been earned, they may choose a class reward of their choice (within reason). Some rewards for Blue Eagles in the past have been extra recess, playing dodge ball with the gym teacher or principal, pizza party, ice-cream party, piņata party, etc.
. Student Helpers - We utilize student helpers in the 6th Grade. These are students that help out the teachers and other staff members. This makes the Helpers feel more involved with our school, and gives them a greater sense of ownership, which in turn helps them to feel more pride in being a "Walnut Flyer!"
Individual classes and teachers may also implement other means of recognizing student achievement. For additional information on any of these, please consult the South Montgomery Elementary Handbook or the Walnut Elementary Handbook.