ERIE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Erie's Public Schools Student Stairclimber Awards

Erie's Public Schools strives to always celebrate the success of our students. As part of that initiative, the Stairclimber Award is presented monthly at regular School Board meetings (from October through May) to one student from each building, recognizing their tenacity, grit and perseverance toward making improvements in their ABC's -- Attendance, Behavior and Classroom Performance.

The EPS Stairclimber Award, which stems from PA School Climate Data feedback and Strategic Plan Survey results, supports our district-wide movement of School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS).

Meet our April 2023 Stairclimbers!

Aleena Butt, East Middle School, 6th grade

"Aleena has shown tremendous overall growth since the beginning of the year. She has improved her grades in three of her five core subjects. In addition, Aleena's attendance has also improved, only missing one day of school quarter two from missing four the first quarter. Aleena is a student you can always count on to brighten your day and is helpful to both her peers and teachers; she is kind to everyone she meets. Aleena is a positive role model and an amazing student to have in class; we are very proud of the progress she has made so far this school year. Good job, Aleena and keep up the hard work!" 

Jahira Delbrune, Perry Elementary School, 5th grade

"We are happy to report that we've seen a wonderfully positive change in Jahira's attitude, behavior, decision making, and respect when dealing with her peers and adults within the school.  These changes have positively impacted her grades and the overall class atmosphere.  She stays focused when given instructions, fully participates, and maintains a positive and cooperative attitude now for the majority of each school day.  She is a natural leader, and the other students will often look to her for guidance.  With her increase in positive behavior, we have seen a significant decrease in others' negative behavior within our classroom. And now, without even asking, she often encourages the other students to stay on task, leading them in a positive direction. Keep up the good work, Jahira. We see you, and we are rooting for you all the way!"

Gabriella Gayle, McKinley Elementary School, Kindergarten

"Gabriella Gayle is this month's McKinley Stair Climber Award for academic achievement.  Gabby has been working hard to grow her brain every day. In addition to her classwork, she practices her letter sounds and counting in her journal.  She has also asked for extra materials to work with at home. We are so proud of the self-proclaimed "Smarty Party."

Tyshaun Gunn, Harding Elementary School, 5th grade 

"Tyshaun is very deserving of this award. He has made such enormous strides in his academic performance, such as participation, wanting to help others succeed, being engaged in the lesson, and an overall desire to stay on the right track. This school year his growth, as a student and as a role model, has been exemplary. His attendance has been excellent. He comes right in and gets to work. Tyshaun has shown tremendous growth in his decision making and has definitely earned this acknowledgement."  

Da'Larrion Lemon, Wilson Middle School, 6th grade

"Da'Larrion has done an outstanding job this year of improving his behavior and grades. He has helped other students in need with issues during the school year and had become a very important part of Wilson! We are lucky to have him at Wilson."

Jazariona Petty, JoAnna Connell Elementary School, Kindergarten

"Jazariona is a kind, hardworking, and loveable girl. She has made tremendous progress during her first year at JoAnna Connell academically and socially. Jazariona comes in every day with a smile on her face, eager and ready to learn. She has improved working independently and in a group. She actively participates in all of our lessons. She gets along well with her peers and genuinely cares about everyone. Jazariona is a role model in our classroom and demonstrates the true meaning of a Stairclimber."

Deandre Rockett, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, 4th grade

"Deandre is always a role model in and out of class. He is kind, hardworking, and a great friend. He has helped TWO new deaf hard of hearing students adjust to Grover this school year by welcoming them and making them feel comfortable while using sign language with them. He has continuously worked hard and has greatly improved his reading and writing skills this school year."

Dakota Schwab, Jefferson Elementary School, 1st grade

Dominic Simon, Strong Vincent Middle School, 8th grade 

"Dominic Simon has a heart of gold. Nominated by our school counselors, Dominic shows kindness and respect to everyone around him. How lucky we are to spend our days with kids like Dominic. We'll miss you next year, Dominic...but don't think for one second we won't be watching you rock high school. Make us proud, buddy. With COURAGE, he CONQUERS." 

Imani Smith, Diehl Elementary School, 5th grade

"Imani has come a long way this year to improve her behavior. At the start of the year she wouldn't accept redirection and wouldn't own her actions. She has worked on strategies to calm herself down, accept redirection, and be aware of her actions. She is now stepping it up to help others realize mistakes they are making as well as helping them to be aware of their actions. Way to go Imani, Keep working hard. You make Diehl PROUD!"

Gary Thompson, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, 9th grade 

"Gary Thompson is a freshman and newest member of KingTV. Every morning he makes a commitment to being in class by 8:10 in order to prepare the KingTV announcements. He steps in when other students are sick, and loves making funny videos that feature students answering random questions. He can get anyone to smile and talk. The student body loves his videos, and they get a little more developed each time. Since he joined the crew in the beginning of the year, his confidence and outgoing personality have really grown."

Rashad Thompson, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, 3rd grade

"Rashad is showing exceptional growth this year in third grade! Every day he is an enthusiastic participant in class and his teachers see how much he loves to learn. He is one of the hardest workers in class and does his best to apply what he is taught. At the beginning of the year, he had trouble getting along with his peers, but since then he has become a leader in our class. He apologizes first, listens to directions, and never fails to brighten the class' day with his kindness."

Augustina Allen, Erie High School, 10th grade (Not pictured)

Adonis Barnes, Lincoln Elementary School, 1st grade (Not pictured)

"Adonis is always willing to help. You can count on him to be responsible and tell the truth at all times. He is focused and always gets the job done. He is caring and shows concern about his friends and classmates." 

Antonio Barnes, Eagle's Nest Program of Academic Distinction, 6th grade (Not pictured)

"Mr. Barnes often displays qualities such as leadership, honesty, determination, and dependability. He has pushed out of his shell tremendously and displays this in his willingness to help others and his enthusiasm to contribute to class discussions. We are extremely proud of Mr. Barnes' progress so far and can't wait to see where he goes from here." 

Akira Robinson, Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center at Emerson-Gridley/EPS Cyber Choice Academy, 9th grade (Not pictured)