The new principal at Sacred Heart Community School is sharing a novel approach to acknowledging the otherwise underappreciated good deeds of students in what he calls the “Good News Student of the Week” program.
Since the program initially began during the first week of classes this academic year, around 45 students have been recognized for their good deeds around the school.
“It’s great to acknowledge different students every week for the things they do around the school here,” said principal Terry Marak.
Once chosen, each recipient has his or her picture taken and displayed on a designated wall board – but it doesn’t end there.
After reaching out for assistance to help sweeten the deal, Dairy Queen has agreed to provide a small Blizzard treat that these students receive as another way to commemorate their positive choices.
To earn this lofty recognition, a student must clearly demonstrate outstanding behaviour and these deeds can be nominated by anyone, including visitors to the school who witness a positive act taking place during their time on the school grounds.
There’s no one deed or attribute that gets recognized, and each case is fairly subjective.
Some students may have volunteered with a task they weren’t expected to help out with, someone may have worked diligently or helped a classmate with a topic they’re struggling with, and others may have demonstrated the principle of leading by example in class or on the playground.
Among the fundamental behaviours that get recognized are simply being a good listener, showing empathy and compassion toward others, and being inclusive with fellow classmates.
This program of recognition is the continuation of an idea Marak established and oversaw while working at St. Mary School two years earlier. Prior to this, he said that he first learned about it from another principal who had given the idea a go with much success beforehand.
Since the program took root at Sacred Heart, Marak believes there haven’t been any fundamental changes in the way students behave. The program simply recognizes something that exists in spite of it, and this sends a positive message to aspiring young minds.
“It’s just a bonus for the kids to be recognized for the good things that they’re doing… around the school every week,” he explained.
Once a student has been selected as the Good News Student of the Week, they’re called into the principal’s office for all the right reasons.
“They get the treat from Dairy Queen (as a coupon), and then they get to call their parents right away to let them know that they’ve been recognized as students of the week,” Marak said.
The students get to make this call themselves, and Marak said they’re typically quite proud to announce the reason for the call once their parents answer the phone expecting something less constructive.
“That’s always awesome… the joy and excitement they have when they’re informing their parents that they’re the Good News Call of the Week…,” he said.
There’s no specific goal for the program other than to serve as a recognition for good deeds which often go unnoticed or underappreciated, and due to the success of the idea, students can expect to see it as a permanent addition to the classroom culture at Sacred Heart Community School.
“The goal is just for the kids to keep in mind and be recognized for the good deeds they do around the school.”
