ROME, GA—As the first day of school approached its end on Friday, July 29, laughs and spirited cheers rose from the Elm Street Elementary gymnasium as faculty and administration hosted the fifth annual Back to School Pep Rally for all Elm Street students.
The pep rally served as a fun, energetic way to kick off the new year, but also as an opportunity to explain a few things that are very important to the Elm Street family, like what it means to be RCS.
"The purpose of the pep rally is for us to review school-wide expectations at Elm Street. We are ready to learn, courteous and safe (RCS),” Walley explained and then smiled as she added, “Of course it's nice to have the whole family literally under the same roof, in the same space. We want the boys and girls to be familiar with each other and with all of the adults in the building. Not only does the pep rally generate excitement, but it allows us all to be together."
Interim Superintendent, Dr. Dawn Williams, smiled on as the kids offered eager responses in unison when Walley asked them what RCS stands for and how to demonstrate each aspect.
The event was also an opportunity to explain the Elm Street house system. The house system sorts all grade levels into one of four houses, Altruismo (Black House), Amistad (Red House), Isibindi (Green House) and Reveur (Blue House). Respectively, the known traits of each house are generosity, friendship, courage and hope. The house program utilizes a point system based on positive actions and good behaviors.
Media Specialist, Melanie Arrington, introduced a couple of new additions to the house system for the 2022-2023 school year. New this year are house ambassadors and house chants. In her green glittering cowboy hat, Walley cheered for her own house, Isibindi, as the chants were revealed.
"We are four houses, but one big family,” Walley said. “So, certainly the students want to earn points for themselves individually, but also for their houses as a team. That way they've got an advocacy plan created within the school building and they can count on their teammates to lift them up.”
Walley explained that the ambassadors will be house leaders and will be called upon to do leadership style activities throughout the school like greet guests, help deliver things to classrooms and then of course help lead the way during school assemblies and pep rallies.
Walley smiled and said that this year they've added the house chants just for an extra element of fun.
As students stomped in the bleachers and chanted in support, teacher Ashley Anglin took the microphone to explain a little bit more about the importance of being RCS and the solidarity found within the Elm Street houses. Accompanied by her peers as backup dancers, Anglin offered a full overhaul on the lyrics to Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like,” singing "We're family like Elm Street, on a school day."
"I want for our students and teachers to continue to be all in and embrace and accept challenges that come their way,” Walley said. “I want for them to find Elm Street to be a happy and comforting place where they can thrive. And we, the adults in this building, will do whatever we need to do to make sure that happens.”
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