Assembly highlights ways to increase achievement

Howard-Ellis Elementary School has cracked the code for producing student success.

Atmosphere + Attitude + Appropriate Behavior = Achievement.

The Niles school calls it the Formula 4 Success Program.

“It’s all about creating a positive learning environment,” said Principal Michelle Asmus.

On Friday, students gathered in the Howard gymnasium for an assembly highlighting the 4 As program, which has been utilized for years to help make the school a safe and effective place to learn.

“The students responded to it (the assembly) very well,” Asmus said. “They have been reviewing the aspects of it all week with their teachers.”

The program includes steps to prevent bullying while incorporating support for positive behavior and strategies that help improve the culture of the Howard and Ellis school buildings.

During the assembly, school staff highlighted each one of the As with the help of several fifth grade students.

In one demonstration for “Atmosphere,” fifth-grader Chloe Hargraves held a bucket while other fifth graders either told her something nice and dropped a compliment in the bucket, or told her something mean and took a compliment out of the bucket.

The goal was to show students that they should work on filling each other’s buckets with compliments to create a positive atmosphere at school.

“We want to make sure we put good things in people’s buckets,” said school behavior specialist Melissa Rough.

The assembly wrapped up with several other demonstrations for “Attitude” and “Appropriate Behavior.”

A letter was sent home to parents explaining the Formula 4 Success Program and tips on how to help reinforce its lessons.