We would like to acknowledge several local businesses for stepping up and joining our efforts in rewarding students for their good work habits, behaviors, and character.  Throughout the school year, third, fourth, and fifth grade students have four six weeks to demonstrate desirable behaviors “most of the time” on their report cards.  For every time the students meet this goal his/her name is entered into a drawing.

It all started a few years back when the Masons of the Taylor Masonic Lodge in Salem began donating two bikes, one for a male and one for a female. This year’s recipients were Mladen Vukovic and Caroline Blackwell.

They want us to reward two students who demonstrate citizenship and hard work.  Keeping it fair, we began putting their names in a drawing, and then it occurred to us that if the Masons understood the need for positive reinforcement, then maybe some other businesses will too!

This is the second year that we have held a school wide assembly at the end of the year, and it has turned into so much fun for them!  We know that we can make a difference if we can continue to implement this program every year!   However, we could not do it without the help of the community!  So this Thank you is for the following companies who donated items:

The Masons, Salem Ice Cream Parlor, I-Hop, Mac and Bob’s, LeeHi Lanes, Quiznos, Firehouse Subs,  Salem Red Sox, Skate Center, Hollywood Nails

We used “We are family!” as our school wide theme this year, which turned into a broader perspective in the end with “We are the world!”  The sense of community was so incredible on that last day of school.  It was great having Salem businesses there to represent and reinforce that our community, as a collective unit, is behind each and every one of them.  When they learn to use good work habits, behavior, and citizenship, they can make a difference not only in their own lives but in the world!  Thank you, all of you, for making a difference in the lives of so many children!

Submitted by Mandy Dallas, South Salem guidance counselor