Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 3, 1993 TAG: 9303030223
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
RALLY HONORS ALL OF SCHOOL'S LEARNERS
AT CHRISTIANSBURG Middle School, Principal Bill Fletcher is "not asking every kid to hit the bull's eye. We just want them to do their personal best to hit the target," he said. "Hitting the target is good" and that's what Tuesday's academic pep rally was all about.
Every single student - all 715 of them - at Christiansburg Middle School was honored Tuesday at the first academic pep rally at the school.
The event is part of an on-going effort to "try to let each kid know someone cares about them," Principal Bill Fletcher said.
He said the scene was "a little bit crazy and a whole lot impromptu" as the students filed into the gym, filling the bleachers and gathering on the floor. Every now and then a helium-filled balloon would escape a student's hand and drift toward the gym's high ceiling.
"I want to tell you what a good job you do in the classroom, and what a good job you do here," said Fletcher, dressed as "Captain Ace."
It wasn't just the students who make the honor roll or the students with perfect attendance that were given awards. Fletcher and the teachers at the school found something unique and special about every student.
Honors were given for the best smile, improved attitude, most creative, most athletic, good friend or hard worker.
Willing helpers and best listeners were honored. Best singers and most organized students were recognized as well. There was even an award for the best stock car racing fan and the most unusual kid.
"All we want are good attitudes toward learning," Fletcher said. "That is the key, because it is this time in life that [students] develop this attitude."
The pep rally included teacher-cheerleaders cheering for the students, a kazoo band playing "The Hokie Pokey," music like "Don't Worry - Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin and "I Feel Good" by James Brown playing over the loudspeaker, band music and chorus singing, and a whole lot of excited students jumping up and down on the bleachers.
"This is awesome because it's got everything - awards, music, screaming . . ." 12-year-old Dylan Knowles said. "And Mr. Fletcher is crazy. He comes in and sings during chorus and stuff, and he gets involved with the students."
Nicole David, 11, liked this pep rally because "it is bigger and better" than regular ones that are held before football or basketball games.
Skipper Charvis, 13, carried a blue helium-filled balloon, his award for faithful attendance, missing five or fewer days from school this school year.
Lance Reynolds, 11, said the pep rally "is really cool because [Fletcher] is down to earth and he doesn't care if you get up and yell."
Fletcher says he doesn't care what it takes. He'll dress up in a "Captain Ace" costume, he'll wear goofy hats and play a kazoo. He'll even dance a jig in front of the entire student body.
"I look back at the teachers that influenced me and whether they were strait-laced or very friendly; what mattered to me was that they cared for me as a person," Fletcher said. "The kids need to see that at the top and I want to let them know that it's OK to care."
Eighth-grade teacher Penny Ireland agrees. "We're recognizing every single child," she said. "And I think this year they need something to pep them up. They need to know they can be a team and that we all care."
Fletcher hopes to expand the academic pep rally in the future to have one each semester. "We're spending money on this, but the emphasis is not gifts," he said. "We're trying to make them feel good about themselves."