Several new clubs are helping Tonawanda Elementary School implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a program that helps create a school environment where students can grow educationally and emotionally.
Kindness Club
Kindness Club started in January 2025, headed up by School Social Workers Marie Burger and Mary Rose Wittman. It’s made up of second and third graders who meet every Thursday before school. The ultimate goal is to promote kindness through small acts of kindness each week.
Some of those acts of kindness included hearts on their classmates’ lockers around Valentine’s Day.
“We got lots of positive comments about the conversation hearts,” Burger said. “Kids were so excited to come in and see the hearts on their lockers.”
They also hung signs for Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day, which were well-received and inspired other students and their classes to hang signs.
The club members are now working on a Kindness Chain that will continue until the end of the school year. The paper chain has the names of students who were spotted doing acts of kindness by club members. The acts are simple: smiling at someone, giving a compliment and saying good morning. The club looks forward to seeing how long the chain will get by the end of the school year.
HOPE Crew
HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Enthusiasm) Crew is also a new group that started this year, run by First Grade Teacher Kelly Tess. HOPE crew consists of ten students who assist teachers and classmates with various tasks such as reading/listening, practicing sight words and helping with handwriting.
Fourth grader Clark S. is part of HOPE Crew, and twice a week, he helps classmates in the lunchroom with simple tasks like passing out straws.
“It’s very fun just to do it,” said Clark. “I get to see everyone, and when I work with them, they get really excited.”
Tess says this program is more than just helping staff and students with various tasks. “We’re really seeing the confidence and joy that our HOPE crew members get from helping out in their school community,” Tess said.
Fifth grader Jayden N. is one of those students who sees the value in being part of HOPE Crew. He helps some of the first-grade students recognize words and reads to them.
“I like seeing my kindergarten teacher [Tess] and also helping the kids out,” said Jayden. “Because I learned that helping people helps me learn different things.”
Tess says one thing she has noticed is the way the HOPE crew has stepped into their roles, often giving her feedback on her students’ progress without even asking. The give and take between the younger students and HOPE crew is helping build camaraderie among students.
“The kids that they’re helping look at them almost like they’re superheroes,” said Tess.
Leadership Club
Leadership Club is another group that allows students to step into a role model position at the school. Advisor Alexandra Moore created the club to help kids learn how to be leaders and mentors around the school.
The club has proved to be popular. Having just started in January, they already have 21 fourth and fifth grade members that have been busy in the pre-k, kindergarten and first grade classrooms, helping where needed.
Fourth-grader Evelyn M. is one of the club members who took time out of her day to help in a pre-k classroom, where students were eager to get her attention.
“I like helping people,” said Evelyn. “And I have the patience with little kids so it’s easier for me.”
Moore says the students of the Leadership Club run meetings on their own with a President and Vice President. They do team-building activities and help out with after-school events.
Most recently, the club members have been creating a slideshow to give a presentation to the second-grade classrooms about leadership and what makes a good leader. That independence is a key part of the club, according to Moore.
“Get them opportunities to be leaders in their own classrooms and around the school,” said Moore. “Honestly, being more aware of how their actions are followed by others.”
Moore says she has seen that switch in her club members, as they realize that they need to set good examples to be good leaders.
To learn more about PBIS, read our previous article here: PBIS Implemented at Tonawanda Elementary School | Tonawanda City School District