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    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 February 2025 Stairclimbers!

     

      

    Jamal Adan, Erie High's Stairclimber for February 2025, poses with his plaque and Principal Don Orlando.

    Jamal Adan, Erie High School, 9th grade

    "I’d like to take a moment to highlight the incredible progress of one of our students, Jamal Adan. Jamal has shown tremendous improvement in both his attendance and work ethic, which truly deserves recognition. His dedication to his studies and consistent effort are a testament to his commitment to succeed. It’s clear that Jamal is taking his education seriously, and his growth is inspiring to everyone around him. We are proud of the hard work he’s put in, and I’m excited to see all the great things he will continue to achieve moving forward. Keep up the excellent work, Jamal!"

     

     

    Yasmin Alkhalil, Diehl's February Stairclimber, poses with a school staff member.

    Yasmin Alkhalil, Diehl Elementary School, 5th grade

    "I would like to nominate Yasmin Alkhalil as Diehl’s January Stairclimber.  As a fifth-grade teacher it has made me so proud to see what paths each of my students has taken, since they first arrived at Diehl. Yasmin is no different. She has thrived since she first stepped into room 105.  Academically she is at the top of our class. She is excelling in math and is already working on 6th grade standards. She also helps tutor students around her and shows them different strategies on how to be successful with their math work. She also loves to write and is a talented writer with all of her Unit Projects.  Lastly, she is a wonderful friend to all around her. She sits next to a student, who came to our country this past August, and has made her feel welcome and confident about learning our language. Yasmin is supportive of her peers and is always willing to help out.  Way to go, Yasmin, you make Diehl PROUD!"

     

     

     Jaxson Brown, Jefferson Elementary's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque and Principal Rivera.

    Jaxson Brown, Jefferson Elementary School, 4th grade

    "Jaxson Brown has made significant emotional and behavioral growth since last year. He is respectful towards adults and consistently uses his manners. His grades have improved, and he is working hard in 4th grade. We are so proud of how far he has come!"

     

     
    Colton Denton, Grover Cleveland's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque.
     
    Colton Denton, Grover Cleveland Elementary School, 5th grade
     
    "Colton has perfect attendance! This school year he has demonstrated better controls with behaviors and has matured. He knows when to take breaks from his classroom if needed. He has had 0 incidents this year compared to 9 events last year. Colton is always willing to volunteer to help staff with projects in the building. Colton has also earned Cool Cougar awards for being Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Overall I feel Colton has improved a great deal this year and is worthy of the Stairclimber Award!"
     
     
     

    Ja'Shiem Gamble, Harding's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque and school staff.

    Ja'shiem Gamble, Harding Elementary School, 5th grade

    "Ja'shiem has improved his focus in the classroom since the beginning of the year.  He has become a student who participates consistently, asks questions, and takes an active role in his learning.  Along with his academic improvement, I see him strive daily to make the right decisions behaviorally even when it's not easy for him."

     

     
     
    Andres Jackson, Strong Vincent's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque and school staff.

    Andres Jackson, Jr., Strong Vincent Middle School, 7th grade 

    "Strong Vincent is proud to recognize seventh grader, Andres Jackson, Jr. as this month's Stairclimber. If you're curious what an outstanding middle schooler looks like - - Andres is your guy.  He's always attentive in class and is one of the first ones to offer thoughtful and reflective answers.  His class participation is top-notch.  We're big fans of Andres Jackson and know he's got a bright future ahead of him.  With courage, he conquers." 
     
     
     

    Exavier McCoy, Lincoln's February Stairclimber, poses with his award plaque.

    Exavier McCoy, Lincoln Elementary School, 5th grade

    "Exavier McCoy has made great strides in his improvement on his academics during the second quarter. He has been working hard, staying focused and on task throughout the day and makes sure he turns in his assignments on time. Exavier is also taking responsibility to ask questions about his assignments and will ask to make sure he has turn in his work and has not missed an assignment deadline. Great job Exavier!"

     

    Anthony Raucci, Wilson's February Stairclimber, poses iwth his plaque and school staff.

    Anthony Raucci, Wilson Middle School, 8th grade

    "Over the course of February, Anthony Raucci has demonstrated a desire for academic and behavioral excellence. Anthony has consistently engaged in on-task behavior during instructional time in all core classes. His willingness to improve and advance his learning is defined by unbroken focus and high rates of work completion. His writing and mathematical computation skillsets have matured in all domains. Behaviorally, Anthony has exhibited an increase in expected social behavior throughout the school day. He is quiet during class and friendly during peer interactions. Therefore, the 8A team nominates Anthony Raucci as the February Stairclimber."

     

     

    Da'nijah Sparks, Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center's February Stairclimber, poses with her plaque.
    Da'nijah Sparks, Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center/Erie's Public Schools Cyber Choice Academy, 12th grade
     
    "I'd like to nominate Da'nijah Sparks for the Stairclimber Award this month. Having taught Da'nijah for the past two years, I have noticed a remarkable improvement in her attitude, her attendance, and her diligence from last year to this. Where before she was often uninterested, off-task, and sometimes defiant, Da'nijah has turned things completely around this year. She is engaged, polite, deferential, and respectful. Moreover, she is ahead of the pace for her Social Studies class on Edgenuity, carrying an in-progress grade of 86.3%. I feel it's time Da'nijah was recognized for her impressive turnaround."
     

    Samuel Uddongo, McKinley's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque and a school staff member.5


    Samuel Uddongo, 5th grade, McKinley Elementary School 

    "Samuel has become more positive and friendly to the students/staff in the school. He has become a role model who was recently nominated for Captains for his outstanding change in behavior. He has shown so much growth in attending school, being safe, and following directions. He has been helping other students in smaller groups and has had a complete change of behavior from the beginning of the year to now!"

     

    Iyzaren Woodard, Collegiate Academy's February Stairclimber, poses with his award and a school staff member.

    Iyzaren Woodard, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, 10th grade

    "I am recommending Iyzaren Woodard, 10th grade, for the Stairclimber Award. Iyzaren has excelled in his core academics this year as well as his performing arts classes. Iyzaren has perfect attendance other than school-approved dismissals for athletics. Iyzaren exemplifies pride, honor, and respect. He is always willing to assist others and shows great willingness to learn."

     

    Jayden Woodard, Edison's February Stairclimber, poses with his plaque and a school staff member.

    Jayden Woodard, Edison Elementary School, 5th grade

    "This month we celebrate growth in the arts! Someone once said, "The arts have the role in education of helping children become themselves...." Jayden is a young man who has been consistently engaged in the academic classroom, and we celebrate his growth in music class this school year. Jayden has shifted into an active and engaged musician! We are proud of Jayden and look forward to his continued growth in the arts!"
     
     
     

    Not pictured: 

    Nargis Abdulzahrah, East Middle School, 7th grade 

    "Nargis has done a great job setting an example of what it means to be a Warrior. Nargis has earned and maintained all A's this year and perfect attendance. Nargis is eager to help staff and is often found encouraging her peers to be ready, respectful, and responsible."

    Roman Adams, Perry Elementary School, 4th grade 

    "We would like to nominate Roman Adams for Perry Elementary Stairclimber for February 2025. He has made significant progress both emotionally and behaviorally since last school year. He completes his work quietly in class. Although he struggles sometimes with his academics, he works hard and never gives up. This year, he has avoided all negative interactions with peers in his class and has not allowed the behavior of others to derail his progress. On the contrary, Roman's behavior in 4th grade has set a positive example for all others to follow in class! On top of all of this, he has perfect attendance for the first semester! We are very proud of Roman."

    Koumadje Brown, Eagle's Nest Program of Academic Distinction, kindergarten 

    "I am recommending kindergarten scholar Koumadje Brown. Koumadje has been working really hard and staying after school for extra help to advance his learning. He misses very little school and academically he went from well-below to advanced on assessments. He is kind to other students in his class and is willing to help anyone who needs it."

    Malaya Grace, JoAnna Connell Elementary School, 5th grade

    "Malaya comes to school every day with a positive cheerful attitude. She is always respectful to adults and her peers. Malaya is a classroom leader and is often asked to be the "Student" teacher role in small groups. Malaya follows all of the Connell PBIS expectations and is a fantastic role model for her peers. Malaya's excellent work ethic and positive outlook about school will take her far next year as she enters middle school."

    Stephano Juma, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, 2nd grade

    "Stephano has shown a great improvement in his classroom behavior. He is making good choices that are Respectful, Responsible, and Safe!"