Ten times a year, from September to June, a photograph of students
holding certificates standing on the stairwell at Richfield Springs
Central School gets published in the Mercury. It captures an event held
at month’s end, honoring students for outstanding achievements.
Surely this is a big thrill for parents and relatives and the
students themselves to see their picture in the paper. It memorializes
a time of achievement, of success, and happiness. It is recognition of
each of these students in grades kindergarten through sixth, of their
dedication and commitment to being the best they can be.
So once a month, officials at RSCS have a student of the month
assembly. It’s a big to-do, with a celebratory breakfast offered to the
students being honored and their parents, grandparents or anyone who
comes to acknowledge their effort.
Students eat for free, everyone else can purchase breakfast from a
variety of items. There’s a party atmosphere, everyone is happy and
smiling and applauding. The kids are beaming with smiles spread ear to
ear with pride, self love, a sense of self worth. They have done well
and now is their time to shine.
It’s hard work being a kindergartner, leaving mom and dad and having
to actually do school work and learn things. It’s also hard being a
sixth grader, preparing to advance to junior high. And every grade in
between is equally hard, in different respects. It takes a lot to be a
student. It takes a lot more to be a great student.
So the fact that RSCS officials take such an effort to acknowledge their milestones says a lot about the district.
They don’t just toss the kids a certificate, snap a photo and say “good job.”
They make it an event. A memorable event that hopefully will stay
with the kids as they grow up and possibly become tired with the whole
school scene.
Connie Christian heads up the PEAK program. As coordinator of the
Performance Enrichment Academics and Knowledge program, it is her
responsibility to contact the teachers and parents to let them know
which children have been selected to participate in the month-long
program and who is being honored that month.
Then she, along with Principal Penny Harrington and Vice Principal
William Dorritie, take extra care to make sure each student understands
how much his or her effort is appreciated.
In addition to a free breakfast for each student awarded, they also
get a package filled with coupons. They get a coupon entitling them to
a book of their choice from the principal’s office.
They get a chance coupon that puts them in the running for a $50
savings bond. They get a free ice cream coupon, a coupon for computer
lab time and a free homework pass, if they are in the fourth, fifth or
sixth grades. Kindergarten students through third graders get to wear a
crown for the day instead of the homework pass.
This is a great program that teaches children that it pays to put in the effort to do well in school.
It also teaches the community how important it is to support our youth in their scholastic endeavors.
Not only should the students be applauded, but Christian, Dorritie,
Harrington, and all the teachers who work hard at making this program a
success should also be recognized.
And finally, the parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and
friends who take time from work or just get their day started extra
early to attend the assembly should also be commended.
Getting a certificate, or even getting their picture in the paper is nothing compared to making Mom and Dad proud.
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