At Two Rivers, we prioritize a culture of high academic achievement, but we recognize the importance of cultivating strong character development amongst elementary students. Unlike traditional merits that gear towards grades or test scores, Two Rivers Scholarly Habit Awards recognize and celebrate the whole child.
Success is not built solely in high-quality education but also through intentional character development. Through Scholarly Habit Awards, Two Rivers recognizes students’ daily efforts to make a positive impact on themselves and others.
Our Five Scholarly Habits
The Two Rivers Scholarly Habits honors students who demonstrate these mindsets:
This approach promotes equity by recognizing effort and ensuring every child is acknowledged beyond their academic performance.
Recognizing Scholarly Habits
With support from the Educators Handbook, leaders efficiently capture classroom social-emotional learning progress. Monthly, Two Rivers launches an initiative in which students embody a specific Scholarly Habit, while teachers reinforce Scholarly Habit Language to equip students with social-emotional and proactive skills. During this time, teachers recognize one student each day by submitting a merit entry tied to the month’s Scholarly Habit focus. Students who demonstrate intentionality and growth are acknowledged each week at community meetings.
A Ripple Effect
Joy and pride are evident when children are recognized for their efforts. Receiving an award motivates them to set new personal or crew goals with teachers or parents.
“A powerful moment to me is knowing how hard an individual worked to be recognized, or the number of students who are being recognized. It’s truly a joy to know students care and recognize how far they can go,” shares Derrick Brown, School Culture Coordinator.
Ultimately, the goal for students is to be self-efficacious and understand that their choices directly affect not only their academic journey but also the trajectory of their lives.
Family Partnership: Extending Beyond the Classroom
Viewing families as partners in their children’s journey is held dear to Two Rivers’ values; practicing and acknowledging Scholarly Habits extends beyond the classroom. Families often express pride in knowing that their child practices these habits at home. Through family partnerships, students are not only intentionally developing social-emotional learning skills, but also critical components that prepare them to become responsible and moral members of society.
Looking Beyond Two Rivers
By honoring Scholarly Habits, Two Rivers ensures learners transition academically sound and equipped with a mindset to navigate unfamiliar environments with courage and purpose – well after Two Rivers.
Ultimately, when elementary students take their next leap into middle school and beyond, their ability to reinforce their character and decision-making skills will be firm.
Yet each child’s starting point does not define them; enabled by the Scholarly Habits, their growth and perseverance do.
~Isa Walker, Communications Associate
