ROME, GA—The last school day of each month at Main Elementary School is one of bustling celebration, and Friday Sept. 30 was no different. It was a day focused on fun, acknowledgment and appreciation in the spirit of “moving Main #LikeAWolf,” as anyone in the Main family would exclaim.
Many events were happening simultaneously to reward and acknowledge students, teachers, and staff, and to just simply have a good time in great company.
A highlight of this day and every month’s end is Teacher Appreciation, a new addition to the school’s celebrations this year. Principal Dr. LaRoyce Sublett said he believes teachers and staff are deserving of acknowledgement of their good work more than once a year, and that it’s also important for the students to be involved. “Our teachers and staff are the ones who are in the trenches carrying out the work with our students every week,” he said. “Any little token to show them they are appreciated goes a long way.”
The morning began with student ambassadors delivering room service orders to all teachers and staff. Orders are filled according to staff requests and typically include a refreshing drink and tasty snack. Sublett added that students may also bring in a small token of appreciation for their teacher or any staff member on these days if they choose.
Additionally, all school staff vote monthly to honor two employees who have gone over and above to #MoveMain #LikeAWolf. September’s honorees were third grade teacher Sylvia Shields and special education paraprofessional Crystal Stimpson. They each received a gift card provided by the PTO as a special thank you for a job well done.
The flurry of activity did not end there. Throughout the day, STEAM Team challenges and grade level competitions were happening across all classrooms with a focus on hands-on fun and learning. This was an excellent opportunity for new volunteer mentors through Communities in Schools to be introduced and get a feel for the atmosphere and culture of the school as Assistant Principal Dr. Eric Robertson provided integrated tours for them in small groups to familiarize and introduce them to students. Sublett noted that Main is already close to reaching their goal of having 100 volunteer mentors for their students this year.
Even more fun was in order for students who had demonstrated a commitment to the RCS way (Ready to learn, Courteous and Safe) by earning enough points in the current nine-week period to participate in a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) reward event.
The cafeteria was transformed into an art studio for the day and students were treated to Sip ‘n Paint, which proved to be a hit as each grade level spent time sipping on Koolaid Jammers and creating fun paintings while hanging out with their peers in a relaxed environment.
This will not be the last of such days—days in which the academic rigors are briefly put to rest, learning becomes an experience, and pats on the back for all the effort put in are handed out with earnest joy. Moving Main #LikeAWolf is underway every day, and the Main family intends to celebrate every chance they get.
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