Building Character at Hanna Woods Elementary School

Hanna Woods Elementary School students enjoyed some "constructive education," building character one brick at a time.

The building of walls is not the only construction going on at Hanna Woods Elementary School. 

Students are working hard each month to build a new personal character trait, such as respect, responsibility and kindness—to name the first three.

In December, we are working on empathy. In conjunction with this the school is collecting beverage tabs.  Recycled tabs help the Ronald McDonald House of St. Louis, a “home away from home” for families of children being treated for critical illnesses. Students watched a film on the wonderful facilities that McDonnell House offers families while their children are in St. Louis for medical care. 

They have enthusiastically embraced this project and are working toward their goal of collecting 40 pounds of pull tabs by the end of the month.  They are well on their way to their goal.

Each Friday staff, interred in hard hats and vests, along with students, gather in the gym to review the week’s character successes.  Paper bricks are awarded to individuals, as well as classes whenever they are seen modeling the expected behaviors.  If a class meets their ever rising quota, they are honored at the assembly.  To recognize these important traits in the cafeteria and bathrooms, silver spoons and golden plungers are awarded to classes with the best behaviors in these areas.  Principal Patrick Shelton leads each weekly assembly with guitar in hand to lead Hanna Woods in songs that he has composed and written to highlight the meaning of each character trait.  Put on your hard hat and join the construction team at Hanna Woods Elementary School.