Elementary Buckets

Last night at our dinner table, our son told us that a classmate got sent to Mrs. T’s room. Everyone knows that Mrs. T’s room is where the baaaad kids go. You don’t want to get sent to her room. She isn’t mean. You are sent to her to discuss what you did, why you did it and what needs to be done to rectify it. In other words, the child is held accountable. Accountable. So to get sent to her room, anyone that knows you went there, knows you did something wrong. Something bad.

Little K did do something wrong. He hurt the feelings of a classmate. He was being mean. Repeatedly. Apparently he wanted to make sure Little J hear him so he repeated "J went to Jupiter to get more stupider". Are you smiling? I know you may laugh but this is where problems, such as bullying, starts. If it is not addressed, the bully becomes more powerful. We, as adults, know that children can be so honest, innocent AND so mean. So Little K was sent to talk with Mrs. T. It must have been a good discussion because our son said he returned to the room with his head hanging low.

So I asked our son, “K was being a dipper today and not a filler?” Yes, he was a dipper.

Dipper. Filler. We’re talking buckets here folks. The elementary school that our son attends has a Caring Community Council. This council was created to decrease the number of bullying incidents while promoting a caring, friendly atmosphere. The students on the council open the doors in the morning and those that enter are greeted with a smile and a Good Morning greeting. Is there a better way to start the day than on a positive note? Council members also tutor students, they read to students in kindergarten and first grade, and they assist teachers in school-related tasks. Not only do they help others, this council is providing life skills for the council members. They have public speaking opportunities, the serve others and they take their responsibilities seriously. Every year the school has a theme that they focus on. One year they had kindness coins. The coins were to be given to people who the student felt were positive influences in their lives. Caring Community Award certificates were awarded and a Wall of Fame was created in the cafeteria. (Implementation of the Caring Community had positive results – a 46% decrease in behavior reports!)

This year, the schools' theme is “Have you filled a bucket today?” When you walk down the hallway to the cafeteria, there is a huge bucket on the wall. A gentle reminder to be a filler. This council helps send out a strong, positive message to the school and the community. It is wonderful! The kids are learning that it is not right or acceptable to be a bully. Not at school and not at home.

So, you can see, Little K was being a dipper. He was emptying a bucket. Just the opposite of what is expected. The goal is to fill buckets. Fill buckets every day. Do good deeds. Say hello and smile. Help pickup a dropped book or mitten. Be nice to someone.

Life is crazy. We live it. We survive it. Some take it day by day. Is that all life is? Isn’t there more to living? Lessons are so easy to forget.

So, are you dipping or filling today?