Moses Garcia inspired pupils to focus on the positive.
Students at Heritage Middle School started off the school year with a PRIDE Team building Initiative Day on August 26, thanks to a generous grant from the Westerville Education Challenge. Moses Garcia, motivational speaker and rapper, started the morning getting kids off on the right track. His message was to let go of negativity and focus on goals and making good choices.
After Garcia’s presentation, the day was filled with activities to help students reinforce his message. Each attended three breakout sessions. The “Our Heritage” session included a map exercise about locating each individual’s birth place. Pupils also set academic, personal and behavioral goals and chose One Word to be the driving force for reaching those goals. In the “True Colors” session, youngsters focused on Growth Mindset and how they learn best. In the “Finding Your Balance” session, students and staff practiced breathing and balance techniques, and a variety of team building skills.
The 8th grade class was treated to Dr. Mike Thompson, who demonstrated that “Success is Not an Accident.” He gave the students a step-by-step formula, tips and secrets about how to be successful in all aspects of life.
This day served as a springboard for many year-long school wide character building initiatives, which include, among other things, adopting the monthly Westerville Way character words; writing, reading, and listening to daily motivational messages; reflecting upon and journaling individual progress; and participating in a variety of community service projects. P.R.I.D.E. stands for Purpose, Respect, Independence and Evaluation.