Ward Elementary School principal helps students succeed

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WGHP) — Standing on top of Ward Elementary School waving to his students, Principal Colin Tribby is grateful he isn’t afraid of heights.

“Not usually. As long as it’s not too high,” says Tribby.

He’s making good on a promise he made to his students at the beginning of school.

“So this year, my challenge was if you guys sell all the chocolate and we make our $10,000.00,  I’m getting on the roof and greeting you as you get to school,” he said.

And so he did with a few surprises.

Tribby said: “I came through on my end of the bargain. Got up on the roof and ran back and forth from the front of the building to the back of the building so I could greet the bus riders on the one side and then go back. Just didn’t know that there were huge rocks. Over the entire roof for I guess the rain and whatnot. But it was like an ankle break. Ankle break run getting from one side to the other. But good exercise.”

But going above and beyond and rewarding his students is nothing new to Principal Tribby. That’s evident as he walks the hallways as he greets the students. And in the cafeteria where he frequently joins those eating lunch.

Says Tribby, “I think it’s really important to number one, start our kids off with energy and enthusiasm and positivity. And so that’s what I try to do every day here at school. From the morning announcements to how I greet our students. To how our staff greets the students as they come in. This is joyous for them, and they love coming to school, particularly at this age. And so when we show them that we’re just as happy that they’re here. It means a lot.”

He added, “You know you keep your word when you say you’re going to do something. But that something like a fundraiser can really be an all-school morale builder and just can really bring everybody together from the parents to the students, to the staff. All for good things.”

All the money raised goes to help pay for and offset the costs of student activities, like field trips.

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