3/3/08

Mars Stars reach for the “Three R’s” --  “Respectful, Responsible, Ready”

“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” is the name of the game for many environmentalists.

But did you know that this catchy idea of “Three R’s” has recently been used to represent a new behavioral program? The Three R’s has been reinvented by Mars Estate Elementary School in hopes of sparking children’s interest.

Now known as “Respectful, Responsible, and Ready,” teachers and parents alike hope this program provides new insight to children’s daily lives and interactions with their peers.

According to Ann Nanney, a reading specialist and Good News Ambassador for Mars Estate Elementary School, the modification to the new program was designed to, “get kids excited about the new program and assist in reinforcing a display of good behavior with positive behavioral support rather than targeting negative behaviors.”

The school hosted a “Mars Stars follow the Three R’s”  event on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, to begin this new behavioral program. Parents, students, teachers and administrators all gathered to show their support. More than 200 students and family members attended the event, which included dinner and a performance by children in all intermediate grade levels. Delicious Italian foods were made in preparation for this celebration.

The after-dinner performance included talented students and staff members in a show designed to illustrate the Three R’s at work. The performances were skits that depicted examples of the students’ perspectives of what the Three R’s represented. After being entertained by students and staff, dessert was served – three awesome sheet cakes, one for each R.  

Back in school on Wednesday, new posters throughout the building explained what the Three R’s should look like and greeted students in the hallways. This effort will certainly serve its purpose of improving student achievement by minimizing distractions and emphasizing a positive support system.

Story by Ashleigh C., a senior at Hereford High School and intern for the BCPS Office of Communications, and Ann Nanney, a reading specialist and Good News Ambassador for Mars Estates Elementary School. Photograph courtesy of Mars Estates Elementary School.

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