Pride, Purpose, and Passion

TCIS is an International Baccalaureate school in which the curriculum centers around a learner profile with ten characteristics; inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. Each month a student is chosen from each class in the elementary school to receive the Pride, Purpose, and Passion award if they have been displaying a characteristic from the learner profile. (Ok from the teacher side of things, teachers have to make sure that every student gets one during the year but one the parent side, it doesn't make you any less proud).

For the month of September the student chosen from Pre-K as the reciepient for the PPP award is......
ZACHARY PINHO

The students are recognized during elementary chapel and receive a certificate and pencil from the principal. Their pictures is on the big screen and a write up is read about their learning skill. The kids even get to stand on stage.

I doubt you can read what is says on the screen so this is what it says.
"Zachary is a super inquirer! He always wants to learn more so he asks lots of questions. What do you call that? What does that say? How do you play that game? What will we do next? Sometimes he finds answers before the teacher gives and answer. That's inquiry in action! Keep up the great learning Zachary!"

This mom couldn't be anymore proud than she was that day! I used to gripe and grown about how long the awards took and were they really useful but as a parent, I see them in a different light. My child lit up that day and so did his parents. Something so small made such a difference. Zachary was so proud of himself and he even understands what it means to be an inquirer since they have been working on it in class.

His teacher, Ms. Sligh, is also a big part of our family. She's Ms. Sligh by day and Ms. Ellen by night. We are so glad that she gets to be a part of Zachary's learning and school career.

On Friday, the students who are chosen to receive the award are given a balloon at lunch and a special treat. They are recognized again for their spectacular learning behavior. This is only the beginning of the long line of awards that I know come along in one's school career but mommy is proud of her boy just the same.

Way to go Zachary! Keep up the great work at school! We love you!