Have you heard about All School Crew? It is an important culture building tradition we have at the Elementary School that was brought back after a several year break. At first sight, a visitor might think "typical assembly," when they see staff and students gathered together in the lunch room, but it is so much more!
For many years before COVID, we started every late start Wednesday with All School Crew. Much like a classroom crew meeting, every assembly included activities such as the Pledge of Allegiance, a greeting, holiday teaching moments, and a focus on a character trait. They also included lots of singing and movement to teach character, have fun together, and practice for whole school performances like the Christmas Program. Every year 4th grade students would make music videos using favorite songs to lead the singing, and the other classes would take turns planning the activities in Crew Club and leading the weekly meetings.
This year, we have added all these fun activities back, continuing the tradition of All School Crew on late start Wednesdays. So far, every class at every grade level has taken a turn leading the meetings. It has also turned into the perfect setting to implement the “Character Strong” curriculum we adopted last year, with focused teaching extensions for the trait of the month, new songs, and a school wide Kindness challenge. Each student that earned a kindness bracelet during the previous week is recognized and then adds a marble to the “Kindness” jar. When full, we will hold a school wide celebration. Currently, we are also in full practice mode for the Christmas Program coming up Thursday, December 14th at 6:30 pm, in the Middle School Gym. Keep your eyes and ears tuned for the layers of activities and fun we will add throughout the rest of the year!
