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 March 2024 Stairclimbers!

Omar Al Baradan, Jefferson Elementary School, 2nd grade

Yasmeen Basbous, Diehl Elementary School, 5th grade

"I am proud to nominate Yasmeen Basbous as the March Stairclimber for Diehl Elementary. She is a wonderful young lady, and is a true example of how hard work pays off. When Yasmeen transferred to Diehl, in the fall, her math diagnostic score was at a Grade 1. Through hard work, effort, and perseverance she was able to pull her score up from a grade 1 to a grade 4 from this past fall until January.  When she took the middle of the year diagnostic, she grew 67 points. That is an incredible jump and I know we will see great things for her during the rest of the school year."   

Andrew Botelho, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, Kindergarten 

"Andrew is a changed person since the start of this school year. He has grown so much, emotionally and socially this year. Through a lot of restorative conversations, love, and hard, hard work, he has become the classmate we always knew he would be: loving, caring, and helpful." 

Jazmine Boyajian, Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center at Emerson Gridley/ EPS Cyber Choice Academy, 6th grade

"Jazmine has As in every subject area, completes every assignment with rigor and accuracy, has perfect attendance, and attends every class connect session. She has a lot going on in her home life, but continues to strive to do her best. She is a great example of what a respectful, responsible, and resilient student looks like."

Adin Buric, Lincoln Elementary School, 1st grade

"Adin has overcome so many obstacles this year. Adin completed kindergarten online and this is his first year in a regular school setting. This was a challenge and Adin was afraid to come to school in the beginning of the year. He would cry and needed help to get to class. Now he comes to school with a smile and independently goes to class excited and ready to learn. He has made huge achademic and social growth in the classroom. Adin is reliable and a great help to not only his peers but adults as well. We are proud of Adin and we are so happy to have him as part of our Lincoln Lion Family!"

Damaya Carr, Perry Elementary School, Kindergarten

"We are nominating Damaya Carr for the Perry Stair Climber Award this month. She has improved in both her academics and her behavior. She has been working hard in class to learn. She is always smiling and happy when it is time to do her schoolwork. She has been putting forth her best effort in both math and language arts. She has been kind and respectful in the classroom. We are really proud of how far she has come!" 

Elyjah Carson, McKinley Elementary School, Kindergarten

"Elyjah struggled at the beginning of the school year. He would come in crying every day. Sometimes he would fall asleep and other times he struggled with participating. Since then, he has shown a lot of growth. He has one of the best attitudes toward learning in our classroom. He also regularly practices with mom at home. Elyjah is always trying his best at school and at home to "grow his brain." His hard work has really shown and made a difference in his learning."

 

 

Amal Hasryeh, East Middle School, 8th grade

"Amal Hasryeh is a Syrian-born student who has been in Erie's Public Schools since first grade. She is now an 8th grade student and is an amazing example of what all students should strive to be. In her years in Erie's Public Schools she has become fluent in English, has achieved high grades, and has become an outstanding aide and leader for other students that speak Arabic. Amal has volunteered to be a peer mediator and her bilingual abilities have made her a highly sought asset to our building. She is quick to help both teachers and students and her kind demeanor make her a dependable person that everyone can trust. We are proud to have her at East Middle School."

 

Mahin Limbu, Edison Elementary School, Kindergarten 

"Mahin is an example of the phrase 'great things come in small packages!' Mahin is a role model to his classmates and has learned to use his influence for good! He helps his classmates when they need an example to follow. He shares his thinking with his peers in reading and math. He is bright, energetic and so very funny! We are proud of his growth in both behavior and academics. The future is bright for Mahin and we look forward to continuing to watch him shine!"

 

Sadie Lundberg, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, 9th grade 

"Sadie made huge strides academically between 1st and 2nd quarters. She improved significantly in Biology, LA9, and AP Human Geography. She told me that she has been attending extra help and tutoring for her classes and things are starting 'to click' for her. She has done a great job this year, and I am sure she is going to continue to make improvements."

 

 

Zayvion Nixon, JoAnna Connell Elementary School, 2nd grade 

"Zayvion not only follows our school rules of being safe, responsible, and respectful, but he is also a leader among his peers. He always includes others, is a helping hand, and a listening ear to his classmates.  He is always working hard and trying is absolute best!  Zayvion is a great student, leader, and friend! Way to go, Zavion Connell is proud of you!"

 

 

Avion Stewart, Eagle's Nest Program of Academic Distinction, 8th grade

"Avion has shown a lot of growth this year. He has been working hard and completing all of his assignments. His hard work is reflected in his increase in grades. Mr. Stewart is starting to show himself as a leader. We are very proud of him."

 

Uzziah Stewart, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, 4th grade

"Uzziah has shown SUBSTANTIAL progress throughout this entire school year, and especially within the last few months. He has improved behaviorally and academically. Uzziah always shows up to school with a smile on his face and a huge hug for his teachers. He is a very kind, loving, and empathetic student. His academic progress has been out of this world! His penmanship is some of the neatest I have seen and he has done a lot better at completing work independently. I am very proud of Uzziah's progress and feel as though he is more than deserving of this Stairclimber award."

 

 

 

 

Armonii Torres, Erie High School, 10th grade 

 

"Armonii Torres is a 10th grade student at Erie High who embodies the Stairclimber Award. Last year, Armonii struggled to find his place. Academically, he was not performing to the best of his ability and he had considerably long stretches of missed days from school. Fast-forward to this year and we've seen Armonii start to unlock his potential. His attendance is at 90% this year, and In the first semester, Armonii averaged over a 3.0 GPA, an incredible improvement from his 1.6 GPA this time last year. Armonii enjoys watching anime and being behind the camera during his digital media class."

 

  

Roman Vitale, Jr., Wilson Middle School, 8th grade

"Roman has improved his behavior tremendously this year. He has brightened the day of anyone he passes by and continues to make Wilson a better place. Anytime you see him he has a smile on his face. We are so lucky to have him in our school."

 

Maliyah House, Strong Vincent Middle School, 8th grade (Not pictured)

"Strong Vincent is bursting with pride to recognize this month's Stairclimber. Not many middle schoolers can boast they've made it through all three years without one, single behavior infraction - but Maliyah House sure can. Great attendance, great attitude, great academics! You name it, she's got it. Keep an eye on this young lady, Erie! She's going to make us all so very proud. With courage - - she conquers."