Sto-Rox Upper Elementary (SRUE) recently hosted a Celebration of Learning during the school day to recognize the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of students during the first half of the school year. Families were invited to attend the celebration, offering the opportunity to share in their students’ success.
Teachers from each grade level presented awards highlighting students’ academic progress, positive behavior, strong attendance, and school pride. Four students earned recognition for perfect attendance during the first semester, demonstrating exceptional commitment to their education. Each grade level also recognized a student for having the most improved attendance, reinforcing the importance of being present and engaged every day.
Students who received attendance awards were celebrated not only by SRUE but also by one of the district’s valued partners, Pittsburgh Area Community Schools (PACS). PACS distributed gift bags containing McDonald’s gift cards to students recognized for perfect or most improved attendance, and provided Uber gift cards to their parents or guardians in appreciation of the support they give in helping students maintain consistent attendance.
Building on attendance recognition, SRUE also celebrated academic growth and achievement. Students who demonstrated strong performance in ELA, Math, and Reading received Rockstar Awards, while Most Improved Awards honored those making significant progress in each subject. Students were also recognized for their performance on MAP testing—computer-adaptive assessments given multiple times a year to track academic growth. Awards were presented to students who earned the highest scores, met their individual growth projections, and showed the most improvement, reflecting both effort and achievement.
The Celebration of Learning also highlighted SRUE’s commitment to developing well-rounded learners. Each grade level presented a Band Excellence Award to a student demonstrating dedication and achievement in music. Students who consistently demonstrated being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible throughout the school day received PBIS awards, emphasizing the values of SRUE’s House System. Finally, Top House Point Earners were recognized for consistently showing teamwork, leadership, and positive behavior while contributing to their house communities, reinforcing the school’s focus on character, pride, and collaboration.
The Celebration of Learning served as a powerful reminder of what students can achieve when families, teachers, and community partners work together. SRUE is proud of its students’ accomplishments and looks forward to continuing to celebrate growth, achievement, and character throughout the remainder of the school year.
