Students at G.C. Huston Public School formed the word “GRIT” on the playground to help cement their focus for the school year. Photo submitted. Video below.

Hub Staff

G.C. Huston Public School students are back in the swing and, having spent last year building a culture around Bimaadzwin, or the good path, have decided that this year their focus will be on grit and perseverance.

“The whole idea of Bimaadzwin, living the good life, walking the good path, it’s just part of what we do, so our next big step is to focus on grit and perseverance,” said Principal Dan Russell. “The idea that mistakes are good things, they’re part of our learning and we embrace the idea of a mistake and always look at that critically and say, ‘Okay, what have we learned from that.’”

Russell said that recognizing that not being an expert at something or not having mastered something is part of the growth process, not only for individual students who may give up too easily, but also for the school as a whole.

He explained that it’s connecting to something called growth mindset. “The idea that you’re abilities are not limited, sometimes the kids think, ‘Well I could never do that or I’m not that smart,’ and the whole idea of growth mindset, the underlying concept is that we can build our brain, that we can increase capacity, we’re not limited, we’re not fixed.”

Russell added that when the road is tough, the idea of grit is even more important. “Part of being a Huston Hawk is that we don’t give up, we continue even when it gets tough, especially when it gets tough, and then help our children in real ways to see the benefits of that.” The principal said there’s nothing more rewarding than accomplishing something you’ve worked hard at. “So talking about it, learning about it, acting it and then reaping the benefits is really how it’s going to become internalized by the kids.”

Russell also said that the Grandfather Teachings, which was part of the Bimaadzwin culture last year and included integrative learning around things like minaadendmowin (respect), aakdehewin (bravery) and naagidwin (love), will continue. "How we can not just learn about it but how we practice that from day to day, how we practice that on a larger scale and how we share it."