• Venetia Elementary, Principal Monique Chatman
• In addition to a whole-school Red Ribbon Week scavenger hunt, this spirited school has enjoyed crazy sock day, school spirit day, international tongue twister day (what?!?), patriotism day, and Memory Monday, to name a few.  Students and teachers alike are especially appreciative of being able to celebrate together in person, and say the school makes it fun “and invites everyone to show their inner kid.”

   

• Landmark Middle School, Principal Cicely Tyson-White
• Landmark was nominated by a whole host of stakeholders, including parents, employees, students (yes, middle school students submitted nominations!), and community members.  One of the most frequent comments was about the school’s head cheerleader, Principal Tyson-White, who constantly encourages the students to “Soar high, Seahawks!”  Landmark has a variety of clubs, sports, and activities that all contribute to a school brimming with school spirit.

   

• Bridge to Success High School, Principal Vince Foster
• At Bridge to Success, students and teachers are encouraged to bring the H.E.A.T. = to work Hard, to Empower, to be Accountable, and focused on Transition.  The teachers say they love celebrating their students through activities such as honor roll luncheons and college week activities, especially the students who didn’t believe they would ever graduate from high school and now are filling out scholarship applications to continue their education.

• Pickett Elementary, Principal Carlene Smith

The Pickett Panthers are paws-itively focused on Character Education, from the morning pledge to the affirmations displayed throughout the school.  Character traits are identified each month and integrated into daily announcements, literacy selections, and campus activities to reinforce the trait.  Students are able to nominate their peers who best demonstrate the character trait for Student of the Month.  One of Pickett’s community members shared the leadership team and faculty have worked to “cultivate continuous professional development and collective excellence” as they work to continually improve the school culture.

• Southside Estates Elementary School, Principal Teresa Dowdell-Brown

One way that Southside Estates encourages their students to demonstrate good character is through their Positive Referrals that focus on the character traits they are working to encourage.  One student wrote, “Students earn eagle bucks throughout the day by showing good decision-making and being role models. Every two weeks we are allowed to shop and use the Eagle Bucks to buy a variety of things from candy to stuffed animals.”  Another person shared that every adult in the building gives out Eagle Bucks, including Mr. Eddie, the school’s daytime custodian.  Students say they feel valued and that they are given opportunities for leadership around the school.

• Springfield Middle School, Principal Deshune Bush

Springfield Middle received a number of parent nominations who shared the wonderful impact the school has had on their child.  The school holds high expectations for both academics and student conduct.  The school is “warm and welcoming’ and consistently demonstrates positive character traits for the students.  One parent shared that the teachers “each were authentic and that a culture of educational growth is pervasive at Springfield Middle School.”

• Anchor Academy, Principal Jennifer Beale-Collier

Among the many wonderful attributes of Anchor Academy, what stood out the most was the way they care for their military students and families.  One parent described the extraordinary support, compassion, and flexibility of the faculty and staff demonstrated through an affirmation the students hear every morning, "With these hands, with this heart, and this mind, all things are possible, because there is a hero in all of us."

• Highlands Elementary School, Principal Natalya Richie-Graham

In addition to the welcoming teachers and support staff, parents cited regular communication and a true sense of community at Highlands Elementary School.  Extra kudos went to the school’s “dynamite CSS team” for consistently going above and beyond to meet the needs of all students.  As one parent stated, “I know that the amount of assistance my student requires would overwhelm some, but this team is always loving and supportive.”

• Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership, Principal Tamara Tuschhoff

The faculty and staff at JSMAL understand that true leadership begins and ends with service to others.  They have supported students with  food deliveries to homes, paid for cadet haircuts, provided uniforms for students in need, and countless other gestures of care and concern.  As one parent shared, “Each day school begins, not with a bell ring, but with the Reveille/First Call Military trumpet salute which starts the school day with order, discipline and positivity.”