Have you ever wondered how you could use your story to make a difference? Well, our assembly speaker, Jim “Basketball” Jones, has done just that. From being diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school to becoming an influential scholar in college, Jim’s adversities became his motivation and eventual platform to make the world a better place! This assembly paired our school’s foundational principles of positive behavior - respect, owning our behavior, acting responsibly, and readiness to learn - with fun, laughter, and some awesome basketball tricks keeping everyone involved and engaged!
Our students are constantly learning the importance of looking out for others and growing through the hard times, but to see someone else’s story in action seemed to capture their attention. There are so many things that our students are dealing with, and to have someone validate their feelings was so neat. Jim “Basketball” Jones talked about how we can be more aware of those around us and how our goal should not be to make that person feel differently than they are, but rather make sure they know they are important. These principles were discussed in such fun ways that the students are sure to remember them and put them into action.
Though the important part of our assembly was learning about how we can be kind and respectful, there was much fun to be had along the way. Students participated in some basketball tricks, dance offs (some even including their teachers!!), and a final round of ‘Simon Says’! Each student was given the resources to react positively to failure as they learned to “skip it off” and to own their mistakes. The songs, games, and student/staff participation made for a great day and even better learning experience.
We hope that the students laughed a lot and learned even more. Each student has a unique story to tell, and who knows, maybe someday one of our very own tigers will use their story to make the world a better place! We encourage you to ask our kids about their assembly and how it changed the way they look at one another - maybe it will even motivate you to be more aware of those around you!
