“Celebrate good times, come on! Let’s celebrate!” is the refrain from Kool and the Gang’s song aptly titled “Celebration.” One thing educators do is to make sure that student and staff successes are celebrated. Some celebrations are small while others are large with groups of people invited to share in the honor and chance to publicly recognize students and staff. As the school year begins to wind down it is a good time to reflect on the celebrations held throughout the year to recognize student and staff success!

The Sulphur Springs School District staff has a history of celebrating student success through awards assemblies, class and individual rewards. The District prides itself in recognizing staff especially for their longevity with the school district. Each school year opens with an annual “Welcome Back!” breakfast where members of the Board of Trustees recognize employees for their service to the district. Employees new to the district receive a teal-backed apple pin and those celebrating 5, 10, 15 and 20 years in the district also receive a pin with the years of service in the district marked on it. Staff who have been with the district for 25 years receive a red marble apple plaque. Those with 30 years receive a gold apple pin and are called up on the stage to share some of their memories of the district. This celebration of staff starts the year off right!

All schools in the Sulphur Springs School District hold award assemblies usually on a monthly basis to recognize students for citizenship, academics and character. Mitchell Community School focuses on a different character trait each month as part of their Character Counts! Program. Students are recognized for being shining examples of that character trait.