Showcase

School administrator advocates for Terrific Kids

The Kiwanis Club of Red Deer, Alberta, has a cheerleader for its Terrific Kids program: St. Patrick’s Community School principal Kathleen Finnigan. Having witnessed the program at another school, Finnigan was eager to adopt the Kiwanis program upon stepping into the administrative role at St. Pat’s. So, she wrote a letter to the Red Deer Kiwanis club, which already sponsored Terrific Kids programs in seven elementary schools. Now, it sponsors eight.

“Her letter describes the impact this program has on children who come in contact with Terrific Kids,” says the club’s vice-president, John Elliott.

The letter (abridged):

“I have had the unique opportunity to see firsthand what the Terrific Kids program does for children within our city. My first experience with the Kiwanis club began when I was the principal of St. Martin de Porres School. Together with the Kiwanis members, we changed children’s lives as a result of this powerful program.

“Children would wait anxiously each month for our Spirit Day assembly. The school would buzz with anticipation of who would be the Terrific Kid in each classroom that month. Kiwanis members would join us at the assembly. The children absolutely loved to see these gentlemen!

“Each teacher would prepare a paragraph explaining why the selected child received the award. There would be cheers and shouts as each Terrific Kid came forward to receive his award. For days after the assembly, the child would continually wear her T-shirt proudly proclaiming why she was the Terrific Kid. This was the biggest award to receive at St. Martin.

“I could not thank the Kiwanis members enough for their support of our children. I told them about seeing pride and confidence build within children who have so little. I also expressed the sincere gratitude from parents as their child was chosen and they were invited to attend the assembly to witness the award. Then, to hear from teachers of the change in their child’s attitude and behavior as a result of being recognized by others in their lives as being special and important! Amazing stories were always shared each month and throughout the year. Children would work hard each month knowing the award was being given.

“With this in mind, I would like to make a special request that consideration of the implementation of the Terrific Kid award is given to St. Pat’s School. Our school community is a wonderful place to educate children who come from low socio-economic areas within the city. These are children who need an extra boost of confidence to let them know they are great people.”