At HMS, the values of Preparedness, Respect, Ownership, Understanding, and Determination — collectively known as HMS PROUD —have become central to building a positive school culture and fostering student growth. While these values have been present for years, HMS PROUD effectively brands and reinforces them, helping the entire school community live by its principles.
Teachers at HMS are encouraged to include these values in their classroom routines and lesson plans. The Choose Love program helps teachers teach compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, and courage. Along with this, teachers are given access to resources and lessons that keep the PROUD values at the forefront of student engagement. Signage, regular announcements, and assemblies help sustain excitement and ensure that students and staff are always reminded of the HMS PROUD expectations.
Student recognition is a cornerstone of HMS's approach to rewarding positive behavior. Students who demonstrate PROUD traits like respect and determination are celebrated monthly. Six students per grade level are chosen as the best student of the month. They get certificates, good friends at home, and public recognition through announcements and social media posts. Additionally, tickets are distributed to students displaying these values, and those tickets count toward individual, homeroom, and building-wide rewards. Students can earn fun activities like trivia, lip sync battles, carnivals, and volleyball tournaments by following HMS PROUD principles. These activities include events like trivia, lip sync battles, carnivals, and volleyball tournaments. Importantly, students are involved in selecting the rewards for these events, giving them a voice in how their efforts are recognized.
On a day-to-day basis, HMS PROUD influences student and staff interactions by making school-wide expectations more memorable and easier to uphold. This has led to a more joyful atmosphere, with students frequently asking each other if they are “HMS PROUD,” reflecting the positive shift in school culture. “At HMS, we believe that pride is the key to success. By rebranding our school-wide expectations to HMS PROUD, we give students a clear and simple reminder of the importance of taking pride in their actions, efforts, and results,” remarks HMS principal, Travis Welch. “Our goal is for every student to go home each day feeling proud of what they accomplished at school and committed to making their community better.”
In the coming weeks, monthly lessons will focus on different HMS PROUD qualities. Students will have a reflection process to evaluate their own behavior. This will help to make sure that these values are always talked about. This data-driven approach will allow the school to adapt and highlight areas for growth, continuously driving the personal and academic development of HMS students. By focusing on these values, HMS will nurture a supportive and success-oriented environment for all.
HMS PROUD serves as a powerful framework that not only reinforces positive behavior but also cultivates a sense of community and personal responsibility among students and staff. By putting these values into daily routines, lessons, and school-wide projects, HMS is making a place where students are motivated to grow both academically and personally. The school's continued recognition, reflection, and celebration of these values keeps HMS going as a place where everyone can be proud. This makes it a school culture that everyone can be proud of.