CLAP OUTS

Student teacher, Amanda Mugler, leads the honored students in their walk around the commons area. Walking are Emily M., Kasey B., Ty T., Travis W., Bryant L., Zach K, Cole L. and Sandie S.

Central Elementary students were honored by their peers during Clap-Outs nine times this past spring semester. Clap-Outs occur the last five minutes of every other Thursday. The student body lines the square around the common's area and "Claps" for their schoolmates as the honorees walk around the commons. The students walk to upbeat music such as "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang and "Gonna Fly Now", the theme from the movie, Rocky.

The students have been applauded for all kinds of academic honors such as earning 100 points in Accelerated Reader, completing the most correct problems in SuccessMaker Math, writing a poem that will be published in an anthology of children's poetry, creating a winning poster for the Cowley County Soil Conservation District poster contest, and winning the county spelling bee. They have also been honored for sports activities such as participating in extra curricular wrestling meets. Other honors are not academic or athletic, yet are just as important. One fifth grade girl grew her hair for several years just to have it cut and donated to "Locks of Love", an organization that provides wigs for children who have lost their hair because of cancer treatments. Adults have also been recognized by the students, such as for the large grant our technology coordinator won that will purchase computers, etc. for our district.

Schools should not ignore the direct correlation between positive reinforcement and improved student performance. We hope our Clap-Outs will start a spiral of success that will motivate our students to earn more Clap-Outs. Clap-Outs are a lot of fun, they don't cost anything and they don't take up precious class time. Praise from peers is an important part of building self-esteem. We plan to continue holding "Clap-Outs" next year at CES.