‘Red carpet treatment’ for students at H. Allen Hight Elementary

--- Published on September 28th 2016 ---
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Everybody is a star.

That was the message Wednesday (Sept. 28) at H. Allen Hight Elementary as all students at the school – more than 700 — were cheered loudly as they walked one-by-one down a red carpet lined with staff holding handwritten signs praising their character, worth and potential.

“You Can Achieve Anything,” read one sign. Others included, “You Are a Confident Learner,” “You Make Us Smile,” “We Care About You,” “You Are a Great Listener,” and “You Are a Risk-Taker.”

Different races, different ages, different talents, different personalities, different talents and   attributes, but each student walked down the same red carpet Wednesday, to the same applause, as valued members of same “family” – H. Allen Hight Cheetahs.

“It is important to me that all Hight students feel connected to their teachers and staff,” Principal Stephanie Carlstrom said. Teaching and classified staff stood side-by-side waving signs and cheering Wednesday.

“The red carpet is one way the Hight team are showing that our Cheetahs are important to us, and that we care for them,” the principal added.

Carlstrom noted that one of NUSD’s priorities is to focus on the social and emotional health of students, not just on academics. H. Allen Hight has implemented a “Second Step” program designed to promote feelings of safety, support, and self-control.

Sonia Buchanan, grandmother of a 3rd-grade student, said of the red-carpet festivities: “I’m enjoying every bit of it. Everybody seems happy, and the parents are happy. It’s really nice.”

What do students gain by walking the red carpet? “They feel proud,” Buchanan said. All the signs that are up give them encouragement and give them incentive to come to school.”