MetroWest Community Spotlight
On March 12, MetroWest Elementary School turned an ordinary school day into something extraordinary. Approximately 65 students in grades 3 through 5 were celebrated during Green Day, a school-wide event that marked the culmination of a yearlong effort to motivate and recognize student growth in reading.
A Year in the Making
Green Day didn’t happen overnight. Reading Coach Lisa Harrison spearheaded the initiative from its inception in the fall, building it around a series of benchmark assessments called SBUAs that allowed teachers to closely monitor student progress and adjust instruction throughout the year. Students who scored 70% or higher on at least 6 out of 8 assessments earned an invitation to the celebration. Those who achieved 70% or higher on all assessments were honored as VIP students, receiving additional recognition during the event.
The incentive was marketed all year long through morning announcements and hallway flyers, keeping students motivated and focused on their reading goals leading up to the end-of-year FAST assessment.
The Celebration
The event was everything a school celebration should be: music, dancing, bounce houses, a bubble station, and interactive activities that filled the campus with energy and excitement. MetroWest Public Service Officers DeAngelo Rolax, Monique Shepherd, and Brian Faer volunteered their time to assist with setup and lunch coordination, and jumped right into the fun alongside students throughout the day.
Officer Brian Faer also demonstrated the character that defines MetroWest’s Public Service Program when a student experienced a minor asthma attack during the celebration. He stayed with the student, providing calm reassurance until the student was safely able to return and enjoy the rest of the day.
In Their Own Words
Principal Shauana Harris captured the spirit of the day best:
“Green Day was a powerful way to celebrate our students’ dedication and growth. Their success reflects not only their hard work, but also the commitment of our teachers to providing focused, data-driven instruction that meets every student’s needs.”
The students said it all themselves: “They’ve never experienced something like this here before.” “I can’t wait until next year. I’m going to try harder for the gold pass.” And simply: “This was great!”
What’s Next
The momentum from Green Day is already carrying forward, with the school’s leadership team actively walking the halls and working alongside teachers to keep instruction aligned with student goals heading into the end-of-year assessment season. If the enthusiasm from March 12 is any indication, next year’s Green Day is going to be even bigger.
