Brockbank BFF Groups Teach Students About Character Ed

Over the last several months, I have had the privileged to watch the students here at Brockbank do and say many kind things.  I have seen students invite others to play with them on the playground.  I have seen students write kind letters to their classmates.  I have watched students run and open the doors for others and offer to help people as they come into the school.  It makes me appreciate the parents that we have at Brockbank and the values that have been taught at home.  

    Here at Brockbank, we are encouraging those same values with our BFF (Brockbank Family Friends) Groups.  I have had many students and parents talk to me about our BFF Groups.  These groups were formed at the first of the year.  They are groups of multi-age students and we meet once a month to talk about character education-type topics.  The students have learned what it means to have friends and how to be a good friend.  They have been taught how to be a good citizen. They have learned what to do when they are being treated unfairly and what the definition of being bullied is.   Our students have also learned how to serve others.  Parents have told me that their child loves his/her "Buddy" and it has helped their child adapt to school. I have had students come in and ask if we can have BFF Groups more often because they enjoy them so much!

    Some of the topics we will focus on for the rest of the year include honesty,  taking responsibility for your actions, prioritizing and putting first things first, and social, mental and physical health activities.  With each lesson we also remind students of how they can handle issues such as bullying, and where they can go for help.  We have a Buddy Box that also allows students to privately express their feelings and get help to deal with these issues. We want to provide guidance in handling actions appropriately and how to go about getting help that is needed.

   My hope is that with continued effort from home, and principles that we are learning at school, we can keep the spirit of kindness growing at our school.  We have great students and I have loved seeing the wonderful things they do.  Brockbank is a great place to be and the teachers do an outstanding job in supporting and teaching our children.    I look forward to the rest of the school year and the wonderful things that will continue to take place, here at Brockbank! 

Principal Larraine Nelson