Kelloggsville — Third-grader Alisson Hernandez sat in the office, stunned for a few moments before asking: “I am?”
Alisson had just found out she is one of the newest members of Central Kelloggsville Elementary’s Positive 100 Club.
Principal Bilal Muhammad said the club, which started this year, came about after staff looked at behavioral data and noticed something true for more than half the students at Central.
“More than 300 students never received one write-up,” Muhammad said. “It’s a lot of kids who were not being recognized, so we began to look at different ways we could celebrate … and recognize them.”
The Positive 100 Club is a recognition program where teachers nominate students for consistently demonstrating positive behavior, taking initiative, and going above and beyond in school.
Students do this by completing classroom tasks without being asked or helping classmates, said Ally VanOrden, dean of student services.
Teachers and staff nominate students and VanOrden reviews all nominations with staff before confirming selections.
Being selected is a big deal, VanOrden explained: students are called to the office, where she informs them of their nomination and reads it aloud.
In math interventionist Camille Friberg’s nomination for Alisson, she wrote: “Alisson is such a sweet and thoughtful student, she makes our math group so enjoyable. I am proud she always tries her best, and asks questions. Keep up the great work Alisson.”
She and the student then bring home the message with a call to the student’s parents to share the news.
After the call, each student spins a wheel to determine the number where their photo will appear on a school display known as the Positive 100 Club board; they choose a prize from a prize box, and receive an award certificate and a copy of their nomination.
At the end of the school day, an announcement is made naming students added to the Positive 100 Club.
VanOrden said students were informed at the beginning of the year that if 100 of them are nominated over the school year, the group will earn a special celebration. They are already more than halfway there with about 57 students currently in the Positive 100 Club.
Spotlighting Student Effort
“Being on it makes me really happy,” said fifth-grader Jason Young, who was nominated on the same day as Alisson. “Being on the (Positive 100) board also means that everyone will know how good I am doing.”
Jason’s teacher Luke MacLean has nominated a handful of students.
“When I am looking to nominate someone, I am looking for consistency and someone who is exceeding expectations,” MacLean said, adding that Jason stood out in those ways.
MacLean said students have been curious about the board, keeping an eye on who is added.
“It’s nice to be able to honor the students, and it’s a great opportunity to express appreciation for their hard work each and every day,” he said.
Math interventionist Camille Friberg said she and Alisson had talked about the Positive 100 Club board and Alisson’s hope of seeing herself on it. That was part of the reason she nominated the third grader.
“She is such a hard worker,” Friberg said. “She has a great attitude and comes to my room with a smile.”
Once she got over the initial surprise of learning she had achieved her Positive 100 Club goal, Alisson said she was happy and excited.
“I think I got it for participating and doing good on my quizzes,” Alisson said. “I also try to be focused when we are doing our work.”
As Alisson was putting her picture up on the wall, fifth-grader Jimmy Morisho, already a Positive 100 Club member, happened to be walking down the hall.
Hearing the news of Alisson’s accomplishments, Jimmy immediately gave Alisson a congratulatory fist bump.
“I think it helps others,” Jimmy said of the Positive 100 Club. “You have to be a good leader and show others what good behavior is and support them.”
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