Asa Wood earns 'exemplar' status

Asa Wood Elementary School was recently commended for providing a positive atmosphere for kids to learn, play and interact.

The Libby school was one of only three in the state that the Montana Behavioral Initiative honored this year as an Exemplar School – a place of learning that serves as a model for other schools.

The MBI provides resources for schools across the state to create programs that employ positive, proactive and preventative measures in helping form good attitudes and relationships.

“It’s based on building a positive climate in your building and having programs to track discipline,” said Asa Wood Principal Scott Beagle.

The elementary school accomplished its goals through ROAR, a program also utilized at Libby Middle School that stands for respect, organization, attitude and responsibility. Students are taught to value the four principals of ROAR through classroom instruction, posters, assemblies and interventions.

“ROAR consumes all of our discipline,” Beagle said.

The school’s MBI committee, made up of five or six teachers, has worked with parents, students and other staff to create the atmosphere that has received praise, according to Beagle.

Asa Wood received a rare high score of 96 percent when MBI representatives evaluated the school. Beagle said his staff is working toward the goal this year of earning a perfect grade.

“We’re making sure we’re rewarding kids for doing the right things,” Beagle said. “We just celebrate that we have good kids that are … making good decisions. MBI is a way to keep that in the forefront for us.”