Bulldogs in the house – Press Gazette

BAGDAD — Bagdad Elementary School believes in involving its student’s families in all school functions and activities. According to staff and faculty it is part of their vision to make their students successful contributors to society.

Tiphanie Sapp, assistant principal of BES, said that the school is divided into four “houses:”

Credo, the Red House, values boldness, bravery, and belief.
Gloria, the Blue House, values ambition, authenticity, and aspiration.
Radium, the Yellow House, values reflection, respect and being remarkable.
Bonitas, the Green House, values kindness, keenness and knowledge.

Each house selected their own house leader through an election, according to Sapp. She said that these elections taught students the importance of the democratic process and she found that students were more interested in what was going on in the real world after the school began this. She said that the houses have also helped students grow in other areas including academics and teamwork. The houses can earn points for things like keeping hallways clean, good citizenship and other things and at the end of each quarter each house will win an award. At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the "Golden Bone" award.

During special occasions these houses will meet and will have festivities. Houses are not organized by grade level, which allows for older students to mentor the younger students.

“It’s a great tool,” Sapp said.

Recently the school held a “Donuts for Dads” day, sponsored by a house in the school. Sapp said this is the third event as part of a series that allows each house to design, sponsor, plan and host. The previous events were "Veteran's Day," “Grandparent’s Day” and “Muffins for Mom’s.”

“We are so proud of our students,” Sapp said. "We want our students to take pride in this."

Sapp spoke about the event, saying that it was very special to see the children and father’s eating together and seeing the father’s participate. Sapp also said the student’s look up to the principal, Daniel Baxley, who she said steps in and acts like a father figure for students when they need it.

“Mr. Baxley has sat down with students who were crying because their dad’s couldn’t make it,” she said.

Sapp said the faculty and staff at BES are proud of the students and all the events they put on.

"It's a great Tier 1 framework that promotes stronger attendance, discipline, academics, as well as school/community involvement," Sapp said. "We are a family at BES so this also helps to build our relational capacity."

Sapp said she feels that Bagdad is one of the best schools in Santa Rosa County because of the people who are there.

“I am so blessed to be here,” Sapp said.