Lake County Gazette

The North Shore School District School Board met with students and officials from the Indian Trail Elementary School to talk about their school and leadership programs they have been participating in during the board’s February 21 meeting.

During the meeting, teachers and administrators spoke about community and inclusivity, and how they have urged their students to take leadership roles in the classroom, their friend groups and other grades.

“We know that building a school community and a sense of belonging to each other at Indian Trail, as well as creating leadership opportunities, really provides students a chance to really learn and grow,” said Dr. Maria Grable. “So at Indian Trail, we have multiple programs that allows our students to highlight to model their tiger pride. Our students are here tonight to talk about those programs.”

She continued: “This evening, you'll hear about our buddy classroom, which pairs older students with younger students and a chance to be together.”

Dylan and Rose, a pair of fifth grade students, told the board about their classroom buddy projects. Once a month older students go into classrooms of younger students, such as kindergarten, and spend time with a “buddy” where they read, draw, do worksheets and more. If someone has a younger brother or sister they can be their buddy, but others make new connections with students. Dylan and Rose spoke about their memories of when they were younger and how they looked up to their buddies.

“You will hear about our Tiger Patrol and the work they do to be role models and helpers to the younger students, as well as listening and hearing about our Tiger Stripes and our class mascot and how those are earned by students through their exemplary behavior and leadership opportunities,” said Dr. Grable.

Scarlett and Logan are fifth graders who touched upon Tiger Patrol. This is a lunch program where fourth graders work with Kindergartners in a variety of ways. The Patrols wear badges and help the kindergarten lunch tables with things like finding their seats, sitting with them while they eat, opening up lunch containers, helping them get ready for recess by zipping jackets and finding hats, and also playing safely while at the playground at recess.

Eli and Alexa are third graders at the school who spoke about the Tiger Stripes, which are earned when students exhibit safe, responsible and respectful behavior.

“You can earn Tiger Stripes for positive behavior in the hallway, lunch room and classroom. One example of respectful behavior is if you’re quiet in line,” Alexa said.

Other examples of respectful behavior are using the playground equipment correctly, walking quietly in line and taking care of trash after lunch or snack time. Their classroom won the Tiger Mascot this year for earning the most Tiger Stripes in a week.

Eli and Alexa, and other students in the third grade, finished off their presentation by giving each board member a Tiger Stripe for sitting quietly, being safe and listening intently to their presentation. The board members were elated with their generosity and thanked the students for their awards.