Fairfield Middle School fosters engaged students with Trojan PRIDE Awards

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield Middle School honored its students who have shown Trojan PRIDE during its mid-year assembly on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Trojan PRIDE Awards are given out to a few students from each of the four grades at FMS. Since the fifth grade has five sections, the homeroom teacher of each section gets a chance to nominate one student for a Trojan PRIDE Award. Each of the other three grades, sixth through eighth, have four winners each.

FMS Assistant Principal Matt Jones said the awards are given to students who show pride inside and outside the classroom, such as in the hallways, at lunch, recess and during their extracurricular activities.

“This is a select few in each grade level, so it is a big deal to earn this award,” Jones said. “We believe that every kid has gifts, and it’s our job to discover what those gifts are.”

The PRIDE awards are an acronym that consists of:

Prepared to learn

Respectful to self and others

Integrity in our words and actions

Dependable "count on me" attitude

Environmentally safe and aware

For the past 13 years, FMS has engaged in a program called PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. This program focuses on rewarding good behavior, and ensuring that all kids get involved in some way. Jones said this can involve giving the students simple responsibilities, such as reading announcements at the beginning of the day, telling the joke of the day, or leading their class in the Pledge of Allegiance.

“We also have teachers who give the students jobs in the classroom, like checking assignment journals, or being a greeter who shakes the hand of a guest who comes to talk.”

Jones said that FMS prioritizes this kind of simple engagement even during the Trojan PRIDE Awards assembly itself, where students were assigned jobs such as being on the security team, moderating the assembly, or being in charge of livestreaming the event.

“It gives them ownership of their education, and helps them feel a huge sense of pride,” Jones said.

Students who receive a Trojan PRIDE Award don’t know they will receive the award until the assembly, but their parents have been told in advance. When parents come to the assembly, they sit in the back row so they don’t spoil the surprise. Jones said he loves to see the joy and positive energy in the crowd at every Trojan PRIDE Awards assembly.

FMS students spend a few minutes each day in “Trojan Time,” which consists of groups of seven to nine students from all four grades. Jones said that when one of the students in these groups wins an award, the whole group expresses pride in them.

“We also give out Principal Awards and Attendance Awards,” Jones said. “We’re trying to give kids positive reinforcement so they keep on achieving.”

For each Trojan PRIDE Award winner, the nominating teacher or staff member wrote a paragraph explaining why that student was deserving of the award. Here are the Trojan PRIDE Award winners and their accolades as told by their nominator:

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He comes to school prepared and ready to go. We can always count on him to be listening and doing the right thing. He never hesitates to help others when needed. He stays focused and turns in his work on time. He's an outstanding role model to others in the class. Keep leading! Congratulations to Jace Wyckoff.

She is prepared for class every day and comes ready to learn. She always has a smile on her face and treats those around her with respect. She can be counted on to do her best work and shows great dedication to getting her class work done. We are proud of her for all that she has done and continues to do. Keep up the great work, Jill Lovelady!

Wayne Wiley is one of the kindest human beings that has passed through the walls of FMS. He looks for the joy in everyone and in all circumstances. He is self-confident, yet humble and sincere. He shows patience and goodness to all his peers; therefore, he is well liked by everyone. He works very hard at his school work, and takes pride in doing his very best work. He is comfortable in his own skin and very often, you'll find him with a cowboy hat on. Wayne is a natural leader, and will make FMS a better place in the next few years. He is very deserving of this award. Congratulations, Wayne!

Atlee Hudson has been selected to receive the Trojan PRIDE award for the first semester for 5th grade. Atlee is a quiet leader. She is always prepared and ready to go in class. If she is going to miss a day she asks for her missed work and then she does it and returns it. She is a great partner and gives 100% every day! Atlee is respectful to everyone and I can always count on her to do the right thing. Way to go, Atlee! Keep it up!

The student selected to receive the Trojan PRIDE Award is one that consistently comes to class prepared, treats others with respect, makes good choices, and demonstrates integrity. This student is one that knows when to have fun and when to put first things first. He’s an engaged learner and has demonstrated this trait throughout this school year. I enjoy having him in my class because he brings a positive attitude and a good sense of humor. Congratulations, Lucas Huff. Because of your hard work and dedication, you are the recipient of this Trojan PRIDE Award.

This student has shown a positive attitude and outstanding leadership in the classroom. This student displays Trojan PRIDE on a daily basis with always showing respect, displaying integrity and always being prepared for class. The 6th Grade Team is proud to announce Ryder Cronk as the 1st Semester PRIDE Award winner!

This young lady shows her Trojan PRIDE in everything she does. She is always prepared and ready for class. She puts her best effort into everything she does. She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She is kind to others and always willing to help out. She is a pleasure to be around, and you can always count on her to do the right thing. Congratulations to Josie Mosinski! Keep up the good work!

This student has shown through his actions every day what it means to be a great Trojan. His attitude and work ethic are by far his best attributes. Words like honor, respect, and hard work come to mind when this student is around. His expectations are high and he expects that of others. It is with great honor to award this Trojan PRIDE Award to you, Owen Adam! Congratulations and GO TROJANS!

This student demonstrates Trojan PRIDE every day. Teachers can always count on her to do her best and be prepared for class. She is respectful to all and treats others with kindness no matter what. She works hard and does it all with a smile on her face. It is with much enthusiasm that this award goes to Kate Brecount. Congratulations, Kate!

Stevie Beltramea is a hardworking, caring individual. He comes to class every day prepared to learn. He is an active participant in class discussions and activities. He asks good questions and shares his thinking with the class. He works well with anyone that he is paired with and remains positive in all situations. He can remain focused even in the midst of distractions. Congratulations, Stevie!

Bidhi Dangol sets high expectations for herself and isn’t satisfied until those expectations are met. She is a focused and engaged learner with a fantastic sense of humor. She adds to every class discussion with humor, honesty, and evidence-backed statements. She goes above and beyond and approaches assignments in unique ways. Bidhi inspires others to work at a high level. She is an asset to any class. Way to go, Bidhi!

Tristen Markle is a very respectful student. He is focused and engaged in class. He has a strong desire to do well and the work ethic to make it happen. He is willing to ask for help when it’s needed and does a good job advocating for himself. He is respectful to adults and peers. He has a positive attitude and is always willing to help others. Keep up the awesome work, Tristen!

Ava McArtor is a quiet leader. She is respectful and responsible. She is diligent in her work and is very focused in class. She has impressed us with her work ethic this year. She comes to class with a positive mindset and is ready to learn. She asks great questions to improve her understanding of the material. She is always read to help others. Ava, we are proud of you!

Tara Carter is the type of student who would never leave another one behind. She handles difficult problems with patience and passion, and never fails to deliver her best work. She embodies Trojan PRIDE. Keep on rolling, Tara!

Congratulations to Zandrik Allison, who has been selected to receive the Trojan PRIDE Award for 8th grade. Zandrik is very polite and respectful to his fellow classmates and teachers. He can always be depended upon to do his best work. He is a quiet leader amongst his peers. He is prepared for class and always works hard. It is a pleasure to have Zandrik in class. Keep up the good work, Zandrik!

The 8th Grade Team is proud of Emerson Porter for earning this Trojan PRIDE Award. She shows the utmost respect to her classmates, teachers and administrators, and we can rely on her to make good decisions. She also participates in extracurricular activities such as cross county and basketball. This individual also shows their leadership skills to their teammates. This Trojan PRIDE Award recipient is a joy to work with, and they have a positive attitude and sense of humor to lighten any room. Way to go, Emerson!

Carson Lovelady is the type of student who grounds himself in his curiosity. His deep thinking often provides thoughtful answers to problems and shows his ability to look at things from multiple perspectives while being respectful to his peers' points of view. He has shown Trojan PRIDE with his high character along with his passion to help those around him.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com