Grant C. Madill Elementary staff have ensured that students who attend school everyday will always have something exciting waiting around every corner.
The Gift of Kindness and The Gingerbread Boy
During the holiday season, students and staff can nominate students they see doing something kind or helping others. Once submitted, names are put into a spin wheel drawing, and they have a chance to be selected to win a present!
“In the past, we normally did the drawing in the gym on the last day before break and it would be two hours long. Changing it so that it lasts over multiple days extends the festivities, and doesn’t exclude the students who may not have been entered,” Madill Principal Amy Disalvo said.
“When we would be having partners on a test and my partner was stuck, I would go through it with them step by step to make sure they understand it,” one student winner says. Another student said sticking with the Positivity Project has helped guide them to be more thoughtful and ready to help.
While students are diligently working to build each other up, there is one individual amongst the school that seeks to cause a little holiday mischief. The Gingerbread Boy makes his annual return to sneak around the school to leave messes and pranks behind.
Similar to the “Elf on the Shelf” trend, the Gingerbread Boy leaves various scenes for the students to discover when arriving at school each day, such as crayons all over the table or flour on the floor. There was even a time where students caught the Gingerbread Boy hanging in the office wearing a Spider Man costume.
The Principal Taxi
Principal Disalvo has begun a new way to recognize students for their achievements this year. Every five weeks, three students who have perfect attendance within the previous five weeks would have their name pulled from a hat to be chauffeured around for the day by the “Principal Taxi”!
Students who have been selected will be met by Disalvo when they arrive at school to be wheeled to their classroom and throughout the day.
“I will taxi them in a yellow chair when they arrive at school to their classroom, taxi them to and from specials, bring them to lunch and take them through the line, and I will taxi them out to their ride at the end of the day.” Disalvo said.
One student who was chosen in October said he was both “embarrassed and excited.” He said it was embarrassing at first but quickly warmed up to the idea of being driven around and added that “it would be better if we were racing people.” Another student who was chosen in November said it was “peaceful” not having to walk that day.
Students at Madill are anticipating the next drawing for a day with the Principal Taxi which will take place toward the middle of next month.
