At Zuni Hills Elementary, we believe that a positive, consistent, and unified school culture is the foundation for both academic and personal success. We are proud to share the development and implementation of our school-wide expectations—“The Zuni Hills Way”—a guiding framework rooted in our core behavioral pillars: PAWS – Personal Best, Acting Responsibly, Working and Playing Safely, and Showing Respect.
These four pillars are more than just words on a poster—they are the expectations that shape how we interact, learn, and grow together as a school community. “The Zuni Hills Way” helps us create a supportive environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to do their best every day.
A Campus-Wide Commitment
To ensure consistency, our staff has worked collaboratively to define what each PAWS expectation looks like across all areas of our campus—from the classroom to the cafeteria, from the playground to the bus area. Teachers, aides, and support staff have been trained to model and reinforce these expectations throughout the day.
Each area of campus now has clear, student-friendly expectations posted to remind and guide our Grizzlies. For example:
In the classroom, Personal Best might mean completing all assignments and asking for help when needed.
In the cafeteria, Showing Respect includes using polite language and cleaning up after oneself.
On the playground, Working and Playing Safely means following game rules and being kind to others.
These expectations are explicitly taught, modeled, and revisited often, ensuring students understand and embrace what it means to walk “The Zuni Hills Way.”
Celebrating PAWSitive Choices
To recognize and reward students for making good choices, we’ve introduced Grizzly currency—a fun and motivating way to reinforce PAWS behavior. When students demonstrate the Zuni Hills Way, they can earn Grizzly bucks from staff members throughout the day.
These earned bucks can then be spent in our Grizzly Store, which has quickly become a favorite destination on campus! Thanks to the incredible support of our PTSO, the Grizzly Store is stocked with exciting items and privileges that motivate students to strive for their best behavior.
Rewards That Matter
The Grizzly Store offers something for every student—from small tangible prizes like school supplies and toys, to highly coveted privilege rewards that create unforgettable experiences:
Lunch with the principal
Principal for the day
A ride to school in a firetruck or police car
Time in the Grizzly Game Room with friends
These rewards not only motivate but also build lasting memories and connections with our school community. They serve as a powerful reminder that when we act with integrity, kindness, and responsibility, great things happen.
Growing Together, The Zuni Hills Way
Our goal with “The Zuni Hills Way” is to create a culture where expectations are clear, positivity is celebrated, and every student feels a sense of belonging and pride in their school. It is more than a behavior program—it’s a way of life that reinforces the values we hope our students carry with them beyond our campus.
Thank you to our amazing PTSO, staff, students, and families for partnering with us in this important work. Together, we are building a strong and vibrant Grizzly community—one PAWSitive step at a time.
Here at Zuni Hills, this is how we do things. This is The Zuni Hills Way.