BUG attracts California kids to better learning 

When the Sacramento City Unified school district cut funding and eliminated Maple Elementary School’s librarians, Kiwanians from the Greater Sacramento-American River, California, club volunteered to keep the library open. Library time was especially critical, because English is not the primary language for the majority of Maple’s students.

The Kiwanians believed they could do more.

“From our experiences at the school, we determined that the Bring Up Grades (BUG) Kiwanis Kids program would be beneficial,” says club secretary Bob Canady.

In the club’s BUG program, each student who raises at least one grade during the semester—without dropping any grades—receives a certificate created by the club and a BUG item the club purchases from the Kiwanis Family Store. The honored BUG students also have their names put into a random drawing for a new bicycle. Each semester, the club gives away two bicycles: one for grades one through three, and one for grades four through six.

The BUG program at Maple Elementary now has about 10 years under its belt. And the results are telling.

“The first couple semesters we offered the program, there were only about one-third of the students who were recognized,” Bob says. “As our program continued, it grew until probably about three-fourths of the students now receive recognition.”

“The school has been recognized by the district for its progress each year,” says principal Santiago Chapa. “The BUG program has helped focus students on improvement in school by recognizing excellence and motivating them to do their best. The certificates and bicycles the Kiwanians award students for bringing up their grades serve as a tangible reminder of the many benefits of getting a good education.”

Indeed, Principal Chapa also lists BUG and Kiwanis’ involvement in the school’s “accountability report card” among the “school programs and practices that promote a positive learning environment.”

Great kudos to BUG, no doubt; but there’s more:

“(BUG) also opened the door for us to start a K-Kids club at the school,” Bob says. “This is the perfect opportunity to get students involved in the Kiwanis family and, we hope, keep them involved as they grow.”