Calhoun Elementary and Junior High School is kicking off the school year by focusing on school culture, community, and what it means to live The Warrior Way.

CEJHS Principal Mrs. Pam Friedel recently visited classrooms throughout the school with a special guest—the Warrior Way Goose! The classroom visits provided students of all ages with an opportunity to learn more about the positive character traits, choices, and behaviors that help make CEJHS a welcoming and supportive school community.

During visits with younger students, Mrs. Friedel read stories and books that encouraged kindness, empathy, friendship, and making positive choices. Students enjoyed spending time with the Warrior Way Goose while discussing ways they can demonstrate the Warrior Way in their classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, and throughout the community.

Every CEJHS student also received a Warrior Way keychain as a special reminder that they are an important part of the Warrior family. The keychains can serve as a daily reminder to make choices that represent the values and expectations of CEJHS.

Students were also given a special opportunity to help make the Warrior Way Goose their own by suggesting a name for the goose. Students completed ballots with their name suggestions, which will be collected and reviewed by Mrs. Friedel and Mrs. Crissy Kiel, Administrative Intern. After considering the many creative possibilities submitted by students, several names will be selected as finalists. Students will then have another opportunity to participate by voting to officially name the Warrior Way Goose. This schoolwide activity gives students a voice in the new tradition and helps build excitement, ownership, and a stronger sense of community throughout CEJHS.

For the older students, Mrs. Friedel put a different spin on the Warrior Way by developing an interactive mystery, CLUE-style game. Students worked together to solve clues and complete challenges centered around the character traits of the Warrior Way. The activity encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and positive character while giving junior high students a fun and age-appropriate way to explore what it means to be a Warrior.

The classroom visits are part of CEJHS's continued effort to build a positive school culture where students feel connected, valued, and proud to be part of their school community.

With the help of the Warrior Way Goose, CEJHS students are starting the year with an important message: Every student has a voice, every student belongs, and every student can make a difference by choosing to live the Warrior Way!

#TheWarriorWay