Students at North Creek Elementary are learning that good behavior has positive rewards.
Karen Flannery‘s 2nd-grade class were the latest recipients — as they got a visit from Chelsea Area Fire Authority firefighters and had a pizza party, donated by Jet’s Pizza, with the first responders earlier this week.
“We asked the students what they did to get the award and they said they were bucket fillers and did things like ‘picked up after themselves’, ‘had good manners’, ‘were nice to each other and to the teacher’, ‘were quiet in the classroom’ and ‘just exhibited overall good behavior’,” said Fire Lt. Scott Basar.
“We continue to use bucket filling as our foundation for positive behaviors,” said Marcus Kaemming, principal of the school, adding, “The pillars of our discussions have been: Bucket Fillers are respectful, responsible and safe.”
There are posters and large banners around the building supporting this goal, and in the lunch room, “We use those pillars to assign stars to each class.”
Basar said firefighters told the class how proud they were of them for “being what North Creek Elementary refers to as ‘bucket fillers’ and we showed them the truck, played capture the flag, and answered all the questions that they threw our way.”
This is the second time Chelsea firefighters have visited the school to honor students who exhibit good behavior — Amy Proos class was the first to get a visit from the firefighters.
Kaemming said that students have responded in a positive way to the stars earned, and each week, there is a classroom goal and each month there is an overall grade level winner.
The overall reward for second grade is time with the Chelsea Area Fire Authority.
Kindergartners and 1st Graders earn tangible rewards like North Creek Teddy Bears.
“Students have displayed better manners, quieter voices and more responsible actions during their lunch periods,” Kaemming said, adding, “Overall, the PBS is having a positive impact on our student body.
“The fire department is happy to work with the school on the growth and development of these children by rewarding them for good behavior and following the rules of the school, plus it gives the children a goal to work for,” Basar said.
The staff of North Creek has been very supportive and a pleasure to work with, he said. “We thank them for giving the fire department this opportunity to be involved with the school.”
