Back-to-school with Principal Hanna Asrat of Burnett

Burnett Elementary's Principal Hanna Asrat was beyond excited to welcome students back for the new school year. 

This year, she’s looking forward to the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across the entire campus. Burnett staff was trained in PBIS by the county last year, and this year, they’re ready to roll out the program, which involves developing common language and consistency in student behavior, expectations, and interactions. 

Another new development to look forward to: Burnett will have a new Student Store. Students will be able to save up their "Bulldog Bucks” to “buy” items that they want! 

Hanna will also be joined by Assistant Principal David Kennedy, who most recently served as AP at Weller Elementary. 

This past Wednesday 8/14, Burnett had their first-ever Back-to-School Dessert Hour.  It allowed for an opportunity for students to discover who their teachers were for the year. Also, families had a chance to update their emergency cards. A total of 360 students came out. 

Above all, Hanna is very clear in her vision of cultivating Burnett into a joyful place for everyone who steps onto the campus. 

“All schools — and especially elementary schools — should be joyful places. Learning should be joyful,” said Hanna. "I think we should work hard, but it should also be a place that feels joyful for our students, for our families, and for our staff. That’s what drives what I value and what I push for in school. We should be doing things that make our kids feel joyful to come here every day. Learning should be engaging and meaningful to students, and not just what it says in the book or the standards. We need to ask: How can we make all of that come alive so that it's joyful and kids are interested?"