Mountaineers Mantra

The Mountaineers are WE!
RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, RESPECTFUL!
Berlin students all agree!
RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, RESPECTFUL!
We climb, we climb, we climb!
RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, RESPECTFUL!
We do it every time!
RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, RESPECTFUL!

The Mountaineers Mantra is recited at the start of each monthly Berlin Elementary School assembly. Being a Mountaineer means being responsible, safe and respectful. Principal Kent and the Character Education Committee host these assemblies, which are attended by all kindergarten through 5th grade students and staff.

The assemblies are an opportunity for students and staff to come together and talk about the character traits that will help them succeed socially and emotionally in and outside of the classroom. In each assembly a new character trait for the month will be introduced by the Character Ed Committee. The trait will be discussed and presented through innovative skits or scenarios put on by BES students and staff.

During the character trait presentations there are opportunities for the students in attendance to ask questions or share relevant experiences. Principal Kent will also announce the month’s character trait in the school’s newsletter to give an opportunity for the trait to be discussed and applied at home.

Another part of the monthly assembly will be the drawing of Mountaineer Merits. Merits are given out by BES staff and bus drivers throughout the month to celebrate students who are demonstrating that they are responsible, safe and respectful. The merit recipients deposit their merit tickets in the Mountaineer Merit container found in the main hallway. Principal Kent will randomly draw ten merits (five from kindergarten–2nd grade and five from the 3rd–5th grades), whose winners then get to pick a prize in the main office.

Next, the Mountain Guides and Mountain Climbers are announced. Mountain Guides are students who consistently follow the expectations at school and serve as role models for others. Mountain Climbers are students who are working really hard and showing improvement to meet behavior expectations. Mountain Guides and Mountain Climbers are chosen from each grade level by the teachers at the end of each month.

This school year will include two new monthly awards. The Attendance Award will be given to the grade level with the highest attendance for the month. At the September assembly Principal Kent talked to the students about how “being here counts,” and then shared a fun video about attendance. The video was presented on the new sound and video system recently installed above the newly renovated stage floor. Here is the link to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4UI7XgYOZY

2nd grade classThe second new monthly award is the Mystery Award, which will be presented to a classroom. The award winners will stay a mystery until it is given out each month. The first Mystery Award went to Mrs. Healy’s 2nd grade class. At the assembly Character Ed Committee member Ms. Rontey surprised the students by announcing them as Mystery Award winners for their excellent demonstration of being responsible, safe and respectful during the assembly.

Check the Berlin Central School District website and Facebook page for monthly assembly information and for the Merit, Mountain Climber and Mountain Guide recipients.