Standing Up and Speaking Out

Mrs. Ruff

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Ruff Pups Pawcast! I'm Mrs. Ruff, hanging out here in Room 210, and as always, I've got my trusty co-host Rusty Ruff with me. Rusty, are you ready for another tail-wagging episode?

Rusty Ruff

Oh, you bet! Ruff ruff! I’ve been fetchin' excitement since sunrise—my tail can barely keep up! So what’s our theme today?

Mrs. Ruff

Today, we're talking all about standing up for yourself and speaking out with kindness—and, as always, celebrating our awesome pack. Actually, before we get too deep, Rusty, you know what time it is?

Rusty Ruff

Is it... Howler time? Please tell me it's Howler time!

Mrs. Ruff

It sure is. Okay, are you ready? Why did the dog sit in the shade?

Rusty Ruff

Ooo, I know this! Because he didn’t want to be a hot dog! Ruff ruff! Classic. Gets me every single time.

Mrs. Ruff

Alright, let’s fetch our big news—Haley is our Top Dog of the Week! She’s been an absolute standout. Not only has she stayed on top of every assignment and put in such impressive quality and care, but she goes that extra mile. Seriously, she checks in on her friends, helps others feel included, and keeps our classroom organized.

Rusty Ruff

Haley’s rocking that golden combo of responsibility and kindness, huh? I mean, that’s the good stuff! When I was the school mascot—gosh, feels like only a few tennis balls ago—I remember one week where I kept bringing water bottles to my tired teammates. The coaches surprised me with a little cheer: “Two–four–six–eight, Rusty helps us hydrate!” Ruff ruff! That feeling of being appreciated, just, whew, it sticks with ya.

Mrs. Ruff

Absolutely. I think being a leader isn't about being the loudest. It’s about looking out for people, taking initiative, and showing pride in your work. Haley really sets that example. For instance, she saw some supplies getting messy and jumped in to organize—no one asked her, she just did it for the good of everyone.

Rusty Ruff

That’s Top Dog stuff—big ruff-pect to Haley!

Mrs. Ruff

Haley, we’re all super proud of you. Keep setting that strong example—you inspire the whole pack!

Rusty Ruff

So, speaking of leaders and tryin’ new things… I heard Room 210 looked pretty different last week?

Mrs. Ruff

Oh, you wouldn’t believe it. We did a total classroom makeover—not once, but twice! I brought in these cozy, soft seats for students to share and take turns working in. I thought it would be a game changer. But, it turns out, most students still preferred the regular tables. So, we just switched it all back! It was a bit of a whirlwind, honestly.

Rusty Ruff

You mean the human version of chasing your own tail? Set it up, spin around, and… back to where you started?

Mrs. Ruff

Haha, exactly! But what impressed me? The pack was so flexible. Instead of just going with my idea, they spoke up—kindly—and told me what was working and what wasn’t. It was such a great example of self-advocacy—standing up for what helps you learn best, but doing it respectfully.

Rusty Ruff

That’s huge! Being able to try something new and then say, “Hmm, maybe this isn’t for me,” takes guts. Plus, it means you all are thinking about what works, not just for you but for the pack. Growth mindset, right? Being willing to fail, try again, and not bark at every little bump in the road—er, hallway?

Mrs. Ruff

Totally. I had one student, actually, who came up after the first rearrangement. They calmly explained why a structured table helped them stay focused. They didn’t complain; they just voiced their needs clearly. Because of that, I got feedback from more students, and we made a better decision together. Building on what we talked about before—like in last episode about being a good friend—it’s all connected, advocating for yourself while also thinking about the group.

Rusty Ruff

Alright, it’s time for some tail-waggin’ shout-outs! Mrs. Ruff, who’s on our pawsitive radar this week?

Mrs. Ruff

Well, first—Jada totally jumped in whenever help was needed. I could count on her for anything—she helped me, helped classmates, and always did things with care and accuracy. She’s such a steady, helpful, pawsitive force in our classroom.

Rusty Ruff

Jada, you’re fetchin’ all the gold stars! And speaking of helpers, Domonique wins the “look out for your buddy” award. We have a classmate with hurt a hand and Dominique was there to help without anyone asking. Like, offering to carry things, help with supplies—always looking out. That’s the kind of awareness that keeps a pack running strong.

Mrs. Ruff

It’s really about being both assertive and kind—stepping in to help, speaking up when someone needs it, or when you see something that needs to get done. Both Domonique and Jada are shining examples.

Rusty Ruff

Hey, wanna preview what’s on our learning adventure next week?

Mrs. Ruff

Sure! We’re about to start our math mid-module assessments—don’t worry, it’s just a checkpoint, we’ll make corrections and keep growing. In science, we’re diving into physical and chemical changes—lots of cool experiments. And in reading, we’ve just started Thunder Rolling in the Mountains, and it’s already sparking some powerful conversations.

Rusty Ruff

Plus, PTO skate night is Wednesday night - costumes totally encouraged! And for the humans out there, don’t forget no school on Friday. Teachers will be learning and participating in professional development. Parent-teacher conferences are coming up, so check your email for that sign-up link. We already have 14 families signed up.