Terrific Kids who can do it!!!!

There is a program in many local schools called "terrific Kids" it is promoted and supported by the Kiwanis and it along with programs like "You Can Do It", goes a long way in the support, validation, recognition and encouragement of our children in all aspects of their education.
Every child, in every class is a Terrific Kid at some time throughout the year, they are recognised for various skills, achievements or often for not giving up on a task or for facing some form of adversity. Mr 6 was Terrific Kid a few months back, his teacher makes a badge for them and they wear it all week and get to sit on the special chair. Each class has special privileges in place for the terrific kids and the recognition brings with it acknowledgement by the other children and staff at the weekly assembly as well as the school community at large by way of the listing in the school newsletter. Mr 5, this Friday, will be awarded Terrfic Kid for the term!!!!!
It is a good incentive for the kids to strive for betterment, be better people and generally care for themselves, others and society. I'm glad my kids are being taught acceptance, tolerance and recognition of everyone's abilities and contributions, they will be better adults for it. The entire student body cares for each other in a manner that out distances their youth. The Buddy system where the Preps are allocated both a Grade 6 and Grade 5 'Buddy" to look out for them and undertake mixed level activities with, is one for which I am extremely grateful. The older children take this task seriously and with the graduation of the Gr 6 buddy to secondary school the role of buddy falls to the new Gr 6 , formerly Gr 5 buddy who as the last buddy in the school for the now Gr 1 child to turn to and learn from.
Miss 9 greatly admired and loved her Gr 5/6 buddy who was a great friend and when she was in Gr 6 I thought about how the Gr 6's had few recognitions or impacting evidence of what they had left the school. A photo and Gr 6 jacket, a yearbook perhaps but little else to carry them into secondary school knowing they had made a difference, left a mark, been part of a history.
I wrote a poem that year, the title was decided by the staff, the reading of the poem that first year I asked to be done by Miss 9's buddy, in consequent years ,the reader has been decided by the Grade 6's and it is read at the graduation of the grade 6's. I was invited the first year it was included in the graduation program to hear it read, I declined. The poem is owned by the students and administered by the school. The copyright is theirs. The memories it instills are theirs for they are all terrific kids who can do it and did!!!