Skip to content

Author: Shari Hedstrom

Celebrating Positive Behavior

Mitchell Elementary is committed to celebrating the great behaviors of our students on campus. Many of our strategies encourage students to demonstrate their Bulldog BEST. These ideas include: (1) Believe in yourself, (2) Encourage others, (3) Show ownership, and 4) Take part in the team. Here are just a few of the strategies we’ve implemented:

  • Bulldog Blast ~ Teachers and students can recognize students for showing their Bulldog BEST. These Blasts are read each morning on the announcements. If your child receives a blast, it is sent home to share with parents. You are welcome to join us daily at 7:25 a.m. using this Morning Announcement Link.
  • PAWS ~ When the administration see a whole class demonstrating their Bulldog BEST, they earn a PAW. Once a class earns 5 PAWS, they get an extra recess.
  • Movie Tickets ~ Each day, grade levels can earn a ticket in the cafeteria if they follow general safety protocols and indoor voice levels at lunch. If they earn 3 tickets during the week, they may watch a movie during lunch on Friday.
  • Wonderful Wednesday ~ Each Wednesday during the morning announcements, students are able to watch a Bulldog Update video with students answering various questions about school. (This past week, we learned about some favorite meals in the cafeteria.) During lunch on Wednesday, students will participate in a modified Bulldog Rally to celebrate all things for their grade level.
  • Birthday Celebrations ~ While this isn’t based on behavior, it is a great way to celebrate our students. Each morning, all birthday friends are identified on the announcements and invited to visit the principal’s office. When they arrive in Ms. Hedstrom’s office, they choose a birthday bracelet, birthday pencil, birthday bookmark, and birthday book for them to keep.
  • Class/Grade Level Incentives ~ Each grade level incorporates their own strategies based on targeted skills. Some earn Bulldog Bucks, some earn points. These “tokens” can be redeemed for various activities or rewards.
1 Comment

Veronica Ostiguin, 3rd Grade Reading/Writing Teacher

Veronica Ostiguin

November
Teacher of the Month

Mitchell Elementary is honored to have a go-getter in the 3rd grade classroom.  Veronica Ostiguin shares her knowledge of Reading and Writing with her students and helps them grow academically.  But more importantly, she lives a life of kindness with both her students and the Mitchell family.  Her impact is felt across the campus.

The moment an opportunity became available, Veronica signed up to complete the House Bill 3 Reading Academy.  She spent the summer of 2019 learning the foundational skills and attended several training throughout this past school year to build on those foundations.  Although COVID has hindered a regular school experience, it hasn’t stopped Veronica from using the knowledge she has learned through Reading Academy to help students grow in reading and writing.  She makes sure that all students receive differentiated instruction to help them achieve their reading goals.  She meets with students daily in small groups to strengthen their literacy skills and build their confidence.  Her attention to detail, dedication to personal growth, and love of reading empower her in the classroom to help her enrich her students academic journey.  

Veronica doesn’t just teach Reading, though.  She teaches students about kindness with both her words and actions.  She sets high expectations for her students and encourages them to reach for the best in themselves.  As a result, her students are calm and focused, a team that works together to reach their goals.  But she doesn’t just focus on her class: she focused on the entire staff and student body and Mitchell. She is willing to go the extra mile to help someone have a happy day.  A co-worker describes her in this way:  “She is always a delight to be around.  She believes that life is about finding the joy in any situation.  She loves to laugh and make her students laugh.  I absolutely love spending time with her because she never says an unkind word about anyone.”  

Veronica is the type of person we want investing in the lives of our students.  She cares about the abilities and cares about their hearts.  As a result, her students are growing into their potential.  We are blessed to have her at Mitchell Elementary. 

Leave a Comment

Drug Free

We are so proud of the effort our students and staff put into Red Ribbon Week! We know that dressing up does not protect our children from the threat of drug or alcohol abuse, but we are committed to teaching our students about the importance of making healthy choices for life!

Leave a Comment

October 26-30

Don’t Forget ~

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=mitchellelementaryschool16&fbclid=IwAR0sJPZrRQFwdnfvrqZkksPihoWnMz8kU2PZd51B-tIKhAktFKomD19-EzI(opens in a new tab)

Monday, October 26

Tuesday, October 27

Wednesday, October 28

Thursday, October 29

Friday, October 30

Leave a Comment