This session will discuss a program that involves the entire school and staff, as well as parents. Each marking period, the staff is asked to nominate a student they feel has demonstrated an extraordinary act. We match their act with a trait or characteristic the staff tries to model and teach to the students each day. A committee reviews the nominations and prepares for a celebration. The student's parents are made aware through a letter that their child has been nominated and that he or she will be presented with a certificate. The nominated student is kept in the dark until the morning of the announcement.
The families and staff meet before school for the celebration. Our principal then introduces and explains in detail why the student was nominated. The student is then given a certificate and a special button to wear with pride. The “Making a Different program” provides wonderful moments for teachers and families to be a part of something important.