Episode Details

Creed Jensen:
I feel like it really has united this school and I feel like it's just been a fun time seeing our peers work together and just competing in a friendly way.

Aly Law:
Our main goal was “how do we take this unique little spot and still have a positive school culture?”

Zachary Workman:
I love that we have gradually turned the reins over more and more to the students. It's really flourished under their leadership.

Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They are putting school pride firmly in the hands of students and building strong connections at the same time at Fort Herriman Middle School. On this episode of the Supercast, hear why Battle of the Grades has become a huge hit throughout the entire year at Fort Herriman. It is a battle resulting in a big win for everyone and students taking care of one another and taking greater pride in their school.

Anthony Godfrey:
We are at Fort Herriman Middle School talking to three members of the faculty on a very big day here at Fort Herriman. Introduce yourself and tell us why we're here.

Aly Law:
My name is Aly Law. I'm a counselor and today we have our big Battle of the Grades assembly.

Madi Feist
I'm Madi Feist, the SBO Advisor.

Zachary Workman:
I'm Zachary Workman, a humble Spanish teacher but somehow involved in this shenanigans.

Anthony Godfrey:
And tell us, for those who are uninformed, I just walked in on it last time and I had to be part of it this time around. I texted the principal to find out exactly when it was happening again because it looked so fun. Tell me about what's involved today.

Aly Law:
This started a few years ago with a student engagement committee that was formed in our leadership meeting that was designed to help kids feel a sense of belonging to the school to find their place. And we figured some friendly competition within the grades would be a great way to do it. So today's assembly is all about some fun games, competition between grades to build some culture in our school.

Anthony Godfrey:
And as I noticed before, it seems like there's a lot of preparation that goes into this. Can you tell us, Madi, a little bit about some of the games that are included today?

Madi Feist
Yes, I'd love to. Today we are doing a lot of games. Our theme for the day is ‘Cars.’ Disney Cars. Our school theme this year is “you're in the driver's seat” helping students realize that they drive their own life. So our student body officers decided that ‘Cars’ was so fitting for that. So we will start our day with a mattress slide called the Lightning Speedway, “which I believe you will be participating in.

Anthony Godfrey:
First, I thought I was going to get to kind of warm up a little bit. I will be wearing the suit. I was going to wear more athletic shoes for it, but I thought, you know, I need an excuse for if things go badly. Well, it was.

Madi Feist
Blame it on the shoes. Blame it on the shoes.

Anthony Godfrey:
Right. Exactly.

Madi Feist
You are fourth in the relay. So you will have some . . .

Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, so I get to watch the technique. Does fourth in the relay mean that I'm on the tail end?

Madi Feist
That does mean that you, yeah, that's a big spot.

Anthony Godf