GOOD QUALITIES: Middle school students nominated by staff for Panther Pride

April 24, 2008 12:33 pm

— Panther Pride
• SCHOOL: North Park Middle School
• ADVISER: Jenn Gilson
• WHAT THEY’RE ABOUT: Chosen by faculty or staff students who show certain character traits
• WHAT’S SPECIAL: Students recieve an ice cream social in June

North Park’s characters stand out

There are a few students who strive for more than just good grades at North Park Middle School in Lockport.
While some strive for academic excellence, other students strive to demonstrate strong character education skills. These students are recognized at North Park by being nominated for Panther Pride.
“These are students who make good choices,” said Jennifer Gilson, assistant principal at North Park. “They may help somebody out, or do something without having to be told.”
Students who make the cut for Panther Pride stand out by showcasing certain character traits, such as honesty or working hard. They are selected by either a teacher or a staff member in the building, and their picture is taken and placed next to a write up on why they were selected. Both are placed in the “Panther Pride” case by the main entrance of the school.
Gilson said some examples in the past of what students have done to earn a nomination to Panther Pride vary. These could include things such as someone walking a new student around, or working hard in class. She emphasized that it is not for grades, but for students who show good characteristics.
About four to six groups of students are chosen every year. The first selection usually takes place in October or so, to give teachers a chance to get to know their students. In June all of the Panther Pride students are invited to an ice cream social. Gilson said Panther Pride is great because it is something for all three grade levels.
“It’s good for the eighth graders because they’re leaving,” Gilson said. “And it’s good for the sixth graders, because they’re new.”
Students range not only from sixth to eighth grade, but there are students who have a learning disability and students who are in the honor society. Some of the students couldnít believe they were chosen for Panther Pride.
“I feel proud and a little surprised to be chosen,” said sixth grader Allen Hoste.
“I feel invigorated,” said seventh grader Tom Rush.
Most of the students were chosen by teachers because they were helpful to others, or for their work in the classroom. Eighth grader Hannah Batt helped out with preparations for the school’s “Moving up Day.” For the day eighth graders attend a brunch at the Holiday Inn in Lockport and have a high school orientation. Batt put together a bulletin board and a PowerPoint presentation for the orientation.
Students can be chosen again, like eighth grader Grayson Honan who has been picked twice before. The schoolís secretary nominated eighth grader Edwin Santos because he is polite, and Kyle Clark a seventh grader was chosen for his work in the school guidance office. He helps out during a free period.
“I just run errands, put stamps on and file papers,” he said.
Gilson said the students are nominated for different reasons, but none of them are there because of academic reasons.
“They do just about everything,” she said.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick
at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

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