(Seguin) — Being recognized as a Student of the Month at Koennecke Elementary School is no longer just campus news. It’s news worth sharing with everyone.
The local elementary school on Wednesday kicked off its recognition of students by traveling to their homes and presenting them with yard signs that read “Koennecke Elementary Student of the Month.”
School Principal Cassie Koehler who led the caravan of staff members to each of the homes for this first batch of students, says the idea came about as a way to celebrate the students who truly exemplify the virtues of a Koennecke Kid.
“Someone who is respectful, responsible, cooperative and safe — these students consistently choose to make good choices and work hard day in and day out. We are not only celebrating our students but their families as well. We talk about Pre-K and kindergarten being the foundational years for success but it starts way before that in the homes of our families. Setting high expectations for behavior, manners and work ethic at home directly impacts students’ abilities to follow those same high expectations at school,” said Koehler.
Koehler says because she drafted the idea in September, the group is now getting around to celebrating the September students of the month.
The first student to plant her yard sign alongside the mailbox on McKnight Road was Koennecke Second Grader Amalina Sanchez. Amalina says she felt proud to have her school visit her home.
“I was excited cause I knew I was going to get that (sign),” said Amalina.
When asked by the Seguin Daily News why it was important for her to place the sign alongside the road and near her mailbox, the second grader responded, “So everybody knows that I was Student of the Month.”
When asked if she knew why she was so deserving of the recognition, Amalina had a few ideas. “I help people in class and like if someone is getting bullied, I help them,” said the second grader.
Surprised by the large group of people that showed up in support of her daughter was Amalina’s mother Nichole Sanchez.
Nicole says she couldn’t help but be proud on how the school is rallying behind her family and how her daughter’s behavior isn’t going unnoticed.
“It makes me feel very excited because I was not sure how she was doing in school and it makes me know that she is standing out more than we thought she was,” said Nichole.
Nichole says when you are proud of your children, having a sign to plant in the lawn is also not a bad idea.
“I think it will get some attention. She’s important to us and she tries her best to be the best student she can at school. It made her day for sure,” said Nichole.
Koehler says the idea for the yard signs also allows for the entire school to get into the action.
“Our entire staff was invited to come and celebrate these students because we understand it takes a village to raise our students and that village includes our teachers, administration, our office staff, our lunch ladies, our custodians and most importantly, our families,” said Koehler. ” We are working very hard to strengthen our relationships with our families and our community because we truly understand and value the importance of working as a team to help our students succeed academically, socially and emotionally.”
Koehler says what seemed as a simple idea became a powerful moment for families and staff who have all embraced it. She said the emotions of that afternoon even carried over to one student who began to cry.
Koehler says showing support to students, however, isn’t expected to stop with those at the campus. She says the more that can come onboard — the better.
“We will be reaching out to local businesses and community members who would like to come along with us to celebrate future students of the month. It is so important that our students not only feel that their personal families are there to support and rally behind them but also their Koennecke family and Seguin community. Together, we can accomplish great things and what greater accomplishment is there than success for all of our students,” said Koehler.
The Koennecke campus hopes to set out next week by visiting students who earned the recognition for the month of October.