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Principal David Ashworth assists Burlington Elementary School boys in building a birdhouse during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Fred Craft, of Classic Construction, assists Burlington Elementary School girls in building a birdhouse during the I Am Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Fred Craft, of Classic Construction, assists Burlington Elementary School boys in building a birdhouse during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Chris Brown, of Classic Construction, Burlington Elementary School girls in building a birdhouse. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Burlington Elementary School girls make friendship bracelets during the I Am Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Instructor Angela Linthicum reads to Burlington Elementary School girls during the I Am Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Burlington Elementary School girls build a birdhouse during the I Am Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Principal David Ashworth reviews the rules of a gentleman during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Instructor Angela Linthicum hands out snacks to Burlington Elementary School girls during the I Am Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Chris Brown, of Classic Construction, Burlington Elementary School boys in building a birdhouse during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Burlington Elementary School boys build a birdhouse during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

A crew from Classic Construction fly a drone in the cafeteria of Burlington Elementary School during the Gentlemen’s Academy at the school on March 17. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Burlington hosts Gentlemen’s and I Am Academy

BURLINGTON  — Students at Burlington Elementary School are wrapping up two special weeks of learning this week.

Friday will serve as the conclusion of the school’s Gentlemen’s Academy, launched by principal David Ashworth last year to teach the boys important life skills.

Last week, a crew from Classic Construction was at the school, where they demonstrated tools and showed the students a drone, while also instructing them on assembling a birdhouse.

Before that, Ashworth met with the boys in a classroom, where he went over rules for gentlemen, such as how to properly introduce oneself with a handshake, how to tip in a restaurant and the importance of looking others in the eye during conversation.

They also touched on things such as sportsmanship and teamwork.

“Your team always matters, even when you don’t win,”

Ashworth said.

For the next day, he told the boys to bring in a tie, which they would learn to tie.

And he gave them a homework assignment.

“Do something nice around the house to help your parents,” he said.

Each day, the children learned a different set of skills in the after school program, for which Ashworth said they had to fill out an application to participate.

Members of the Ironton Child Welfare Club were there to teach them cooking skills, while staff from Harless Towing taught basic automotive skills.

On Friday, the year’s sessions will wrap up, with a visit to Patties and Pints in Ironton, where the boys will have a luncheon with members of the Child Welfare Club.

This year, coinciding with the Gentlemen’s Academy, the school also saw the launch of s similar activity for girls, the I Am Academy. Both serve third through fifth grades.

Instructed by Angela Linthicum, the girls take part in many of the same activities as the boys, such as the visit from Classic Construction last week, while the Child Welfare Club will teach them finance skills.

They will wrap up on Friday with a red carpet walk.

Linthicum said 18 girls were enrolled this year. On Monday, she said they would also be making friendship bracelets, and the girls would be served themed snacks, with goldfish crackers representing friendship, and Hershey’s Kisses representing “giving love.”

“And they are learning about inner beauty, respect, self esteem and being a good friend,” she said.

Prior to offering the academies at Burlington, Ashworth organized similar programs at Ironton Elementary School, where he served as assistant principal.

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