Self-control monthly focus at Duffy Elementary School

Glenn Duffy Elementary School's PAWS Program incorporates character education and positive behavior into the school community.

Each month PAWS skills are chosen and discussed in classroom guidance in relation to character education. "Self-control" is the word for this month. This is defined as having power over your thoughts and actions. A famous Will Rogers quote says, "Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in."

Gravette School Resource Officer Josh Crane spoke with children about self-control. He taught how children can make choices to manage how they act in class, in hallways and on the playground. SRO Crane also talked about how children can show self-control on school buses, too. He told students of how his mother used to tell him, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all," just like Thumper.

First-grade teachers shared a skit about the social skill for the month. Students learned how to interrupt. Steps we should take are: 1) decide if we really need to interrupt, 2) if so, walk up to the person we need, 3) make eye contact and wait our turn, 4) say "excuse me," and 5) wait again until they can help us.

First-grade teachers are Heather Gabriele, Margaret Martin, Tina Wellesley, Candis Jones, Andrea Nall, and Tera Leroy.

PAWS awards are given in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, etc. as an incentive for students to practice the PAWS skill for the month. Students are recognized at monthly Rise & Shine assemblies. PAWS student of the month T-shirts are sponsored by Glenn Duffy Elementary PTO.