By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The physical and mental differences between students in kindergarten and
those in 6th grade are night and day. In a way to create a family
culture of inclusivity, Lincoln Elementary School in Great Bend began their
Lion Pride Family program.
Lincoln’s Student Family Advocate Jose Arias said the school wanted to make
sure the younger students are not intimated by the older children in the
building.
A mixture of students, from kindergarten through 6th grade, meet the
final Fridays of the month to do different activities together.
"The kids really enjoy it," said Arias. "They get a chance to meet kids they haven't met or make a connection with a kid they thought they wouldn't be able to. This creates that family culture that includes everyone."
There are about 17 “prides” or groups at Lincoln with roughly 15 students in each pride.
At Wednesday’s USD 428 Board of Education luncheon, one of the
kindergarteners at Lincoln expressed his enjoyment of Pride Family.
"In Pride Family we meet together and do a lot of stuff. We get used to the bigger kids and it's a lot better in the school."
The assortment of students will have nine Pride Family gatherings throughout
the school year.