By 509J Communications

More than a dozen Metolius Elementary students were highlighted at JCSD 509J’s School Board Meeting on Monday, January 9. These students were selected by the school for their involvement in the Wolf Pack Leader Program. 

“This is pretty cool because we have our future leaders here in the room with us,” Metolius Elementary Principal Adam Dietrich said.

The program is designed to reward those students who are responsible, encourage other students to develop personal responsibility, and provide a set of expectations for students to learn to make correct decisions while in school.

“These are our fifth grade students that have exhibited excellent leadership,” Metolius Counselor Ansel Evans said.

At the meeting, each student was called upon to explain how to become a Wolf Pack leader and what are some of the traits a Wolf Pack leader needs to exhibit. 

“Something you have to be, is you have to be responsible to be a Wolf Pack leader,” 5th grade student and Wolf Pack leader Ysidro Reynoso Canales said. “You have to own up to your actions, turn in your work on time, and do not talk when the teacher is talking.”

“Kindness is one of the character traits you need to become a Wolf Pack leader,” 5th grade student and Wolf Pack leader Uziel DeAnda said. “For example, if you see someone that fell you should go ask if they’re okay and help them back up.” 

Students must apply to be a Wolf Pack Leader. They start this process by filling out a form to learn what behavioral goals are expected and they must work toward those goals. Once these goals are met, their classroom teacher signs off on their application but the students aren’t done yet. They must get signatures from other staff members and finally the counselor, Ansel Evans, and Principal.

“A trait you have to have as a Wolfpack leader is to stay on task,” 5th grade student and Wolf Pack leader Ellie Adams said.

Students must demonstrate they have met their personal responsibility goals. Once they have, they receive a pin, lanyard, and a certificate to signify their accomplishment and cement them as a student leader in the school. 

“To be a Wolfpack leader, you need to be flexible. Being flexible means you need to be able to work well in a group or independently,” 5th grade student and Wolf Pack leader Sophia Johnson said.

Becoming a Wolf Pack Leader comes with privileges for the students. Some of these include: 

  • Line Leader in hallways to specials, lunch, and recess.
  • No need for hall passes when wearing lanyard and MGR pin
  • Other privileges assigned by teachers in their classes
  • Special luncheons, assemblies, or parties
  • Certificate sent home with each Wolf Pack leader

“Our Wolf Pack leaders wear badges, just like our staff do,” Dietrich said. “It’s an honor and privilege because they can walk down the hallways and teachers won’t ask where they are going.”

The leadership program showcases the correct behaviors and personal responsibility to students across the school, in all grades. 

“They have earned this and we don’t worry about them,” Dietrich said. “They are such role models for all the other kids that the little kids look up to them.”

The following students are Wolf Pack leaders and earned the recognition at January’s board meeting. 

  • Sophia Johnson
  • Teaghan Kerr
  • Uziel DeAnda
  • Alma Nunez Tellez
  • Ysidro Reynoso Canales
  • Josiah Cortes
  • Ethan Bolton
  • Ellie Adams
  • Jaymin Birchard
  • Adrian Lopez Brito
  • Erik Armas Perez
  • Sebastian Cruz Perez
  • Zuriauna Schmidtke
  • Isaac Barry
  • Zileyonah Boody

 

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