ELLENDALE —The climate is changing at New Richland-Hollandale-Ellendale-Geneva Elementary School, according to Barbara Handahl, family services coordinator at the school.

The school has begun integrating positive behavioral interventions and supports throughout various activities at the school. This includes the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, which raised $309 for area food shelves. In turn, cash donations in the hands of food shelves can be used to purchases foods at a highly discounted rate, which stretches those funds many times over, leading to a much greater contribution.

With the end of this activity comes the beginning of a new one. After returning from Thanksgiving break, students will take part in the annual Christmas toy drive, which Handahl said is a tradition at NRHEG elementary. It also gives students the opportunity to practice the positive behavior traits the school’s staff are emphasizing. These traits are referred to as PRRS: being positive, being respectful, being responsible and being safe.

Three fourth-graders explained the traits and how they apply to the toy drive.

Gracie Williams noted that students can make a positive impact out of giving to kids who don’t have a lot of toys.

Haylie Garcia said being respectful can be shown in many ways, including not blurting things out in class. Along with raising your hand and waiting to be called on, students can be respectful by, “being nice enough to give to other people.”

Samuel Holue gave examples of being responsible, including bringing your library books back to school on time and making sure the gift they donate gets on the truck that will take the presents to the Ellendale and New Richland area food shelves.

When it comes to being safe, Garcia recommended that those who participate don’t buy weapons for gifts and be careful to make sure the gifts are age appropriate.

“Make sure there are no choking hazards for littler kids,” Garcia said.

One of the things the school is committed to is not only demonstrating PRRS, but utilizing those character traits at home and in the community. Those who wish to help with the Christmas toy drive are encouraged to drop off a gift at the school office or send it to the school with an elementary student between Dec. 1 and Dec. 11. A group of students will then help deliver the presents to the food shelves to be distributed before Christmas.

The rewards of generosity are great, according to Williams, who said she feels very proud to participate.

Garcia said, “It makes me happy and proud of myself because I never share.”

That is until the past school year. Garcia said she now shares her toys and will share with others through the toy drive.

Holue said it feels great because others don’t have enough money to buy their own gifts, so this is the perfect opportunity to help.

“We’re really focusing on the positives and reinforcing them at a high level, and that will hopefully intercept more negative behaviors,” Handahl said.

She concluded that the principles behind PRRS and Panther pride can be seen in the halls of the school every day, which demonstrates that students at NRHEG elementary are learning much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. Among other things, they are learning that the gift of giving can be a gift in and of itself.