Wilmore Elementary Receives

"Inviting School Award"

Wilmore Elementary School is the proud recipient of the "Inviting School Award". This award is given to schools throughout the world by the International Alliance for Invitational Education. After submitting a portfolio to show progress made by Wilmore Elementary, representatives of the school received the honor and a plaque at the international conference held in Lexington.

The concept of being an Inviting School was originated by Dr. William Purkey, a University of North Carolina (Greensboro) education professor. Although the Jessamine County School District as a whole is an Inviting School District, Wilmore Elementary was the only school in the district to receive the award this year. For three years our school has been working to become an Inviting School. The idea is to make every aspect of our school intentionally inviting, particularly in regard to the 5 P's: People, Programs, Places, Progress, and Policy. "Is this an inviting thing to do?" is a question often asked at Wilmore Elementary as participants strive to keep an open mind, especially when someone points out something that is unintentionally uninviting. Being open to discussion and welcoming different points of view are important aspects of being an Inviting School.

One way students and teachers practice being inviting is by exchanging blue and orange cards. When someone makes an apology, is loyal to an absent classmate, offers an encouraging smile, etc., they receive a blue card. If someone is unkind or hurtful, they receive an orange card. It takes five blue cards to outweigh one orange card. Each month a bulletin board features a different character education trait.

The decision as to how to best be an Inviting School is sometimes difficult. For instance, an Inviting School must be a safe place, but sometimes the steps which must be taken to make our school truly safe, may also make it appear less inviting.

Is Wilmore an inviting community? We are grateful for the fine example being set by Wilmore Elementary School.