Jim Allen Elementary Celebrates Principal With ‘National Watts Day’

April 22, 2017

On Friday, the faculty and staff at Jim Allen Elementary showed their appreciation and love for their principal, Rachel Watts, by declaring the day “National Watts Day”.   All grades, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade were involved in honoring Watts for her surprise celebration.  All throughout the day, students and faculty showed their admiration for her.

The day began with messages posted on the school marquee and lawn signs with slogans such as “Happy National Mrs. Watts Day” , “#wattsday”, “#1 Principal” , “You’re the Best”, “We Love You!”.  Even her parking space was reserved for “The Best Principal Ever”.

The front office and Watts’ desk were decorated with her favorite flowers and balloons of her favorite color.

The faculty and staff gathered in the front hall to kick off the festivities with a proclamation that declared that this day was to honor Watts for her outstanding leadership, her love, patience, kindness and goodness.  Then she was presented with a crown to wear for the day.

A large sign in the hallway was mounted to allow students, faculty and staff to write a ‘thank you’ or simply sign their name.

The school’s “Friday Shout-Outs”, which is a weekly email highlighting faculty and staff for going above and beyond, was dedicated completely to Watts.

Every 15 minutes of the day, students arrived in the office to deliver apples and message cards to Watts with sayings like “You are the queen of our castle”, “You Rock!”, and “You are the type of leader others love to follow”.  She collected the apples in a decorated bucket and posted the cards all over her office.  Other students arrived with handwritten notes that said things like “You are my favorite principal!” and “You are the best principal ever!”.

Every 30 minutes, each school department or grade level came to give a variety of gifts such as;  baskets of goodies, gift cards, chocolate, flowers, lunch from a favorite restaurant, beach bag, t-shirt stating “Most Special Principal in the Area” (from the special area department), cleverly written poems, and even a massage.

For Jim Allen Elementary, it was a day to show Watts what a wonderful leader she is and how much she is loved and appreciated for all that she does for the school.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Jim Allen Elementary Celebrates Principal With ‘National Watts Day’”

  1. Lindsay Vassaur on April 24th, 2017 9:07 am

    I have to say that Rachel Watts is an amazing principal. All 3 of my children have gone to Jim Allen. She knows all three by name and not because they were in trouble! :) When my youngest and I were in a wreck down the road from the school Mrs. Watts drove down to check on my and my daughter because she had heard from some of the moms that we had been in a car accident. Now that’s a caring principal! We love and appreciate everything she has done for Jim Allen and our Children!

  2. Carolyn Boykin on April 23rd, 2017 2:43 pm

    One of the greatest people I have ever known. I worked with Mrs. Watts for several years and saw first hand her sincere love for every student at Jim Allen and a sincere love for her faculty and staff.
    I have seen her use her own money to buy clothes for students or even their family members in need, a “heart of gold.” It is her hearts desire for each and every student that comes through the school doors to be a success She never fails to let her faculty and staff know how important they are to her, encouraging them to always do their best. The Cantonment community is truly blessed to have her at Jim Allen Elementary..

  3. Michelle on April 22nd, 2017 9:32 am

    Looooooove JAE!!! And Looooooove Mrs. Watts!!!!!!

  4. Connie McClammy on April 22nd, 2017 7:33 am

    The best school in Escambia Cty… Great staff and Mrs. Watts is first class.. My son graduates this May..gonna really miss everyone. Can she be principal for a Middle School too? Lol

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