To start January’s Berlin Elementary Character Education assembly, principal Mrs. Kent asked the students to think about the question: How can we be better community members?
The students during both the kindergarten–2nd grade and 3rd–5th grade assemblies volunteered many thoughtful answers. These included friendship, support and reaching out a hand to help others in need.
The theme for this year’s Character Education at BES continues to focus on community.
Mrs. Hannigan’s kindergarten students were guest presenters during the kindergarten–2nd grade assembly. The kindergarteners shared their responses to the question: How am I a good Community member?
The students had inspiring responses to share with their peers:
“I tell my friends when they do a good job.”
“I help keep my classroom clean.”
“I play with all of my friends.”
During the 3rd–5th grade assembly Mrs. DeMagistris and her 5th grade students modeled one of their daily class meetings. An important element of these meeting is that they are led by a student. During the assembly model 5th grader Emma Burdick led the meeting.
Class meetings are a prevention and intervention strategy to help students develop a strong classroom community. The meetings provide a safe space to explore emotions and concerns, and to find peer support. Over time the meetings increase trust as well as teacher and peer connectedness.
Class meetings have proven to be a critical part of developing empathy and understanding in the classroom.
After the presentations, Principal Kent shared a new community-building addition to the BES hallway. “Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today!” is the title of the new bulletin board in the second-floor hallway.
The bulletin board was created by the 4th-grade classrooms and Mr. Shaw, BES Family Liaison and Counselor. The bulletin board has messages on it that students or staff can pull off to give to someone (adult or student) for encouragement or simply to brighten their day.
After the messages are pulled off they are replaced by the 4th graders. The bulletin board is a very welcome addition to the building. Mrs. Kent encouraged all the students to take a moment to check it out and brighten someone’s day.
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.
January’s Classroom Community Members
Ivy Kennedy, Devynn Mossey, Clyne Capasso, Forrest Kennedy, Riley Blakely, Caellum Etman, Adel Derstine, Aidan Kelly, Khalani Gonzalez-Caban, Gage Burdick, Jase Matthews, Addyson Niegoda, Dannie Young, Sophia Zinna, Olivia Gates, Emma Burdick, Alaina Gardner and Chloe Hart.
January’s Mountaineer Merits
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.
At the assembly each month, Principal Kent draws ten merit recipients (five from kindergarten to second grade and five from third to fifth grade) who receive a prize.
Kameryn Hathaway, Marissa Childs, Erin Stott, Benjamin Maxon, Connor Sciacco, Taylor Doty, Luna Taylor-Barber, Ryder LeBlanc, Katharine Garner and Quinnrose Hastings