Kosciusko Middle Elementary School held a series of fun and formal events last week as the school year drew to a close. First up on Wednesday was a book character parade.
On Wednesday, second-graders had a chance to demonstrate and test their social soft skills.
After attending the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta in March, Principal Chris Terry brought back lots of innovative ideas. These ideas focused on boosting student engagement, enhancing the culture and climate at KME and striving to have each child become socially successful.
One such social area that peaked Mr. Terry’s interest was the use of “soft skills.” These “soft skills” include shaking hands properly, having good posture, maintaining eye contact, carrying on a proper conversation, asking relevant questions and leaning in to listen. The acronym for these skills is S.P.E.C.I.A.L, and students were encouraged to “be S.P.E.C.I.A.L.”
The Ron Çlark Academy tests these soft skills in an annual event called “The Amazing Shake,” in which business people from across the U.S. come to grade the students.
Mr. Terry brought this concept to KME as “Shake it Up.” During the S.P.E.C.I.A.L morning, second-grade students shook hands of community leaders and got graded on how well they met the S.P.E.C.I.A.L criteria. The child who graded the best was awarded a medal and cash prize. A yearly plaque will recognize the winner of this event.
Community leaders participating were Mayor Jimmy Cockroft, Jonathan Powers of Farm Bureau, Don Woods of Church of Christ, Jerrelyn Jackson of the school department, Darren Milner of the KAP and Superintendent Billy Ellzey.
Learning these soft skills will not only benefit students now, but also in years to come as they move on in school, apply for jobs and begin a career. Mr. Terry commented,
“I truly believe if we can help get these soft skills ingrained in these students at a young age, our community will see the positive behavior results in the near future."
The week finished up with a field day with everything from bouncers to a dunk tank and video games to dancing with cheerleaders.
