Heritage students and staff gathered in the Westerville North stadium to form the school’s initials, H (sixth graders), M (seventh graders), and S (eighth graders).
Students and staff at Heritage Middle School celebrated their first annual Husky PRIDE Team Building Day on Friday, August 21. The pupils attended three different breakout sessions.
“Our Heritage” gave students an opportunity to share their own heritage and culture with their peers. They created grade level quilts to be displayed in the school and placed a sticker on various maps representing their birthplace. The data gathered will be used in math and social studies classes.
In the “True Colors” session, pupils discovered their learning styles and personality traits and how best to use that information to become a better student and team player.
In the “Team Building” session, students were able to learn how to de-stress and de-escalate, using techniques from Conscious Discipline trainer Susan Hample. Derek Robinson from the Westerville Fire Department talked about the importance of team work with equipment used to fight fires. Officers Doug Staysniak and Matt Ware from the Westerville Police Department engaged students in teamwork activities with tug of war and other games. And Galen Roth, from Molina Health, promoted health and wellness with his Smoothie Bike.
The Huskies were treated to two motivational speakers throughout the day, Javier Sanchez and JMaw White. Both talked about a sense of belonging, involvement and commitment, encouraging their young listeners to incorporate PRIDE (Purpose, Respect to self, others, the community and world, Independence, Discipline and Evaluation) in their everyday lives. At the end of the day, students and teachers reconvened in the gym for pep rally to reflect and celebrate what it means to have HUSKY PRIDE. Former Husky alumni presented a message to the students asking them to do things that their future selves will thank them for. Staff and bus drivers were introduced and recognized. School-wide PRIDE activities will continue throughout the year. Organizers expressed gratitude to the Westerville Education Challenge for their support and for donating T-shirts to every student.