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Piper Elementary principal outlines "balloons, rainbows, unicorns" vision emphasizing welcome and greetings
Summary
Piper Elementary Principal Doug DeLaughter presented a three-part vision to the Lake Central board centered on improving the building's foyer, greeting students at arrival and sending students off positively at dismissal.
Doug DeLaughter, principal of Piper Elementary School, presented a three-part vision to the Lake Central School Corporation board on Sept. 22 that centers on making the school’s entrance more welcoming and strengthening morning and afternoon routines to help students feel seen and valued.
"When you walk out of Piper Elementary School, balloons, rainbows, unicorns, and confetti pop out of the doors to greet people," DeLaughter said, recalling an early superintendent’s charge to continue the school’s welcoming tradition. He told the board that the first element of the vision is to work with the PTO and the new art teacher to revamp the foyer’s aesthetics to make it more child-friendly and welcoming to families.
The second element focuses on staff presence at classroom doors and along arrival routes. Drawing on guidance from teacher-orientation resources, DeLaughter said staff will greet students each morning — with eye contact and simple greetings — so children know the adults in the building are glad they are there.
The third element mirrors the second for dismissal: staff and volunteers will offer positive send-offs so students leave the day feeling supported. He said the work will vary day to day but the goal is consistent: "that we care about them and that we want to help them." The principal said some of the changes will be visible (foyer aesthetics) and others cultural (morning greetings and dismissal routines).
Board members praised the effort; Miss Tallent said she appreciated hearing the school's vision and encouraged the district to feature other schools’ visions in future meetings. The board took no formal action; DeLaughter’s presentation was informational.
