Free Home Elementary Wins 2013 Georgia School Bell Award

Free Home Elementary School in Holly Springs is one of just 10 schools in the state honored by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals for its work in leadership and community outreach.

Free Home won the 2013 Georgia School Bell Award in recognition of its "Cultivating a Positive Learning Environment" initiative, which involves the majority of Free Home's staff, teachers, and students.

Second-year Principal Karen Carl has led the charge since the first day of pre-planning last year, when she read the book “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?  A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids” by Carol McCloud.

On top of giving each member of the staff a "bucket filler" t-shirt and an inspirational plaque, Carl set the initiative as one of her personal goals in the new Leader Keys Effectiveness System.

Carl's goal was to, "cultivate a positive academic learning environment, model high expectations, respect, empathy for all, utilize shared decision-making, best instructional practices, maintain a positive morale, and support staff through incorporating the knowledge of social, cultural, leadership, and political dynamics of the school community for the change process."

One of the primary reasons Carl accomplished her goal was the school's "Rocket Pantry," which provides food and volunteer opportunities that benefit families in the Free Home Elementary family that need a helping hand.

Carl said that the pantry is "very near and dear" to the hearts of the Free Home family, and allows students who are suffering from hunger the chance to get a square meal and focus on academic achievement.

Community volunteers such as churches, volunteer firefighters, and students at Creekview High School contribute ready-to-eat meals that students bring home to their families on the school bus. Each week, volunteers assemble 15 bags of food to be distributed to families who need assistance.

"This cultivates a positive environment by seeing how our community works together for the families in need," Carl said.  "Once these children are fed and no longer hungry, they can focus on their academics."
 
"The families are truly thankful, and the students feel like they are contributing to the family by bringing the bags home.  This will continue as long as the need is present."

Carl and Free Home Elementary were recognized during the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals' summer business meeting and will be given the prestigious honor during the association's fall conference in Savannah on Nov. 3-5.