Middle Gate Elementary School is ready to “soar” after the school kicked-off a new school motto with a pep rally on November 1.

“Are you excited?” Middle Gate fourth grade teacher Tim Nott said at the center of the school gathering, held outside on a brisk day.

The entire student body was situated around him, along the outside of a court at the school. But some members of Middle Gate’s community were missing. Did the students notice?

Middle Gate Principal Christopher Geissler explained the pep rally was being held to highlight the new school motto: “Spread kindness. Own your choices. Act responsibly. Respect others and yourself. Show self-control.”

The new motto spells “SOARS” and is meant to help establish behavioral expectations for everyone at the school. “Following the new guidelines,” Geissler told the students, “will make Middle Gate a wonderful place to learn and grow.”

Geissler shared that it takes a team to create a good environment, and then he introduced all the missing members of Middle Gate’s school community. Educators and school staff exited the school building to music playing, each group taking a lap around the pep rally.

Middle Gate lead teacher John Sullivan “flew” around the pep rally dressed as the school’s mascot, an eagle.

As the groups made their way around the pep rally, students cheered, bounced, and held up their hands for high-fives.

After all of the groups were introduced to the students, Nott said the educators care “a lot about you” and the new motto was designed to help support Middle Gate students throughout the school year.

After the assembly sang Middle Gate’s school song, led by music teacher Tina Jones, Nott said, “Our pep rally has come to end, but we just started soaring.”

Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.