December’s BES Assembly focused on responsible, safe and respectful pet care.
During the weeks leading up to the assembly the BES Character Education Committee invited BES community members to give us photos of their pets. The photos were compiled into a video and shared during both the kindergarten–2nd grade and 3rd–5th grade assemblies.
Please find the video below. Thank you for sharing your photos. The students were thrilled to see all the wonderful pets in their community.
The video was followed by special visitors from the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Furry friend, Kerouac, was accompanied by two of Mohawk Hudson Humane Society’s educators Michaela Fisher and Nikki Gagnon.
Ms. Fisher and Ms. Gagnon introduced what they refer to as the “Five freedoms every pet should have.” Ms. Fisher explained that when these freedoms are provided to pets it means their owners are being responsible, safe, and respectful pet owners.
The Pet Five Freedoms are:
- Freedom from hunger/thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain/injury/disease
- Freedom from fear/distress
- Freedom to express normal behavior
The students asked questions of the educators and talked about their pets. Ms. Fisher, Ms. Gagnon and Kerouac expressed their gratitude to the BES Mountaineer Community for continuing their annual pet supply drive.
Kerouac with Mohawk Hudson Humane Society educators Michaela Fisher and Nikki Gagnon
Donations were collected during the month of December at BES as part of the character-education program. Donations included: blankets, towels, shoe boxes, canned/dry food, toys, treats, cleaning supplies, and cash.
Thank you BES community for your donations!
Over the holiday break BES second grade teacher and pet supply drive organizer, Tracie Heinrichs, delivered the supplies to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society with help from her daughter Jessica.
Mrs. Heinrichs and her daughter Jessica
The BES assemblies concluded with Principal Kent announcing the monthly Mountaineer Merit awards and teacher-nominated Classroom Community Member awards.
Classroom Community Members are students nominated for showing citizenship and being responsible, safe and respectful.
December Classroom Community Member
Amelia Planz, Jacob Stone, Dylan Manchester, Michael Zinna, Mason Amuso, Ryan Sausville, Hadlee Masterson, Jace Dudley, Franchesca Milianta, Daniel Hart, Willamina Woodcock, Isabelle Swartz, Peyton Bink, Brandon Kinnon, Danielle Garner, Keegan Cooper, Mia MacMillen and Anthony Catricala
Being a Mountaineer means being responsible, safe and respectful. Merits are given out throughout the month by BES staff and bus drivers to celebrate students who demonstrate these traits. These students are given merits that are deposited in the Mountaineer Merit container found in the main hallway.
Taylor Doty, Noah Gardy, Talon DeMaio, Daxton Reed, Chloe Hart, Luke Turetsky, Brave Morstad, Katelyn Tiger and Avery French