AHS has created a new program that will help create a uplifting school environment called Atom Pride. This plan will encourage six character traits a person should display while in school and outside of it. As a part of this, buttons will also be give out to students who display one of the six traits; participation, respect, integrity, determination and empathy.

Each year, this school tries to implement a theme for the school year, past slogans such as “make good choices” and “character counts” that can be heard during morning announcements, during assemblies and yearly SR&R video shown every September.

Superintendent Karen Garza supports The Positive Behavior Intervention Program (PBIS) which helped orchestrate this newfound pride for being a part of AHS.

Teachers and staff do not want to push the idea of Atom Pride directly towards students, but instead want to incorporate different aspects that make up Atom Pride into ordinary school days.

Instead of teachers only teaching the planned material, they may add how something may show one of the six character traits chosen this year.

“We want each staff member to take a look at what they can do in the classroom,” Assistant Principal Jamie Carayiannis said.

Many may remember the first week of school being devoted to school pride and discussing the several ways a person could display character and what makes a person have good character.

This idea of having pride in one’s school began at the elementary and middle school levels. It is now beginning to appear in high schools across the county.

“It’s moving its way up into the high schools and our Principal, Mr. Randazzo, has embraced it and wants it to be part of our school,” Carayiannis said.

Carayiannis has already begun to implement Atom Pride into his usual SR&R videos that are shown every year to students at the beginning of school.

“I usually pick a theme every year such as ‘make good choices’, ‘character counts’ and this year’s theme is Atom Pride,” Carayannis said. “There are these six character traits which are all good and positive that we want to build in our students, so I’m implementing it [Atom Pride] into the SR&R.”

The school does not intend to push Atom Pride on students, but rather encourage it through small everyday routine.

“I am taking what I normally do and trying to implement a little bit of the Atom Pride and PBIS program to show kids that this is what it’s about,” Carayannis said.

Freshmen can be the first to be seen showing Atom Pride as they wear their class shirts. This year, the shirts have the Atom Pride symbol showing the positive characteristics the school hopes for all students to display.

“We’re trying to build it into what we do every day and who we are as a school and how we treat each other and how we behave, it’s all part of the big deal.” Carayiannis said.

Students at AHS are already embracing the new program.

“I plan to show it [Atom Pride] by wearing AHS spirit wear and participating as a member of the marching band; [we] call it the marching atoms not marching band.” senior Thomas White said.

Others are beginning to participate with school traditions that help make the school look better.

“I’ve shown school spirit already when painting the chimney and courtyard, doing the senior ice bucket challenge and helping out at schedule pick up and freshmen orientation,” senior Annika Hackfeld. “But I think more importantly I plan to participate in school events that exemplify school spirit and unity, and try to be a good example to the rest of the school by working hard and welcoming everyone to AHS.”

School pride is making its way to the music departments as well.

“We have a huge focus on pride in oneself in marching band this year. I’ve already had an injured foot this season but I push through it because of my school spirit and how I feel about AHS, and I want that feeling of pride to spread to the rest of the school too,” senior Sabrina Rivera said.

As teenagers, it is important to create a positive environment, especially with all the dangerous events going on around the world. Students at this age can fall susceptible to depression and stress. This program will help create an uplifting environment to look forward to.