January 28, 2022 - Every single East Central Elementary student appeared on the red carpet, Friday afternoon, as a lively MC and booming music introduced EC’s first ever Academic Growth Parade.
Uplifting chants from the Rome High School cheerleaders resounded as the students emerged from the building and into the spotlight. And Willie the Wolf even took some time away from his studies to help the children celebrate. Willie never misses a chance to say well done in the classroom.
Bubbles and balloons floated above the parade as parents, caregivers and supporters gathered on the sidelines with colorful handmade signs and banners honoring and encouraging the students.
Assistant Principal Samantha Lindsey, smiled as she said, “We are team East Central and we celebrate our successes together. It’s amazing to see all of our families come together to celebrate our kids. Not everybody can stand up on Honors Day and get all As and Bs, but there’s one thing I do know and that is that every kid in our building has grown since the first day of school. That makes me a proud assistant principal, for our students and our families.”
The Academic Growth Parade left no student unrecognized. Each smiling child, led through the parade by their teacher, carried their own poster, highlighting their achievements.
“We really wanted to find something to celebrate for every student,” Principal Dr. Wesley Styles said, “whether it was learning to take steps meeting Special Education goals, learning sight words, meeting math growth goals; pretty much anything.”
Loud cheers, clapping hands, and even streams of silly string from the crowd offered each child support and celebration. Faculty and staff held signs saying “you will do great things,” “you are awesome,” and “we are so proud of you!”
Styles reflected on all that the students have persevered through in the last two years, “Day in and day out, through fear of COVID, through being quarantined, switching to online school, and switching back to in-person school; it’s been a lot. I’m very proud of the students and of the teachers.”
As he watched the last beaming caravan of students turn the curve of the parade, toward the building, he added with a smile, “It was really amazing to see all of this come together.”
Way to Grow, Wolves!
