This month I would like to highlight the Early Childhood Center, which is a school in the Huntley Community School District 158. This Early Childhood Center is located in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. It serves preschool students, ages three to five years old. The principal, Dr. Sheryl Pauwels has been instrumental in creating a positive school climate amongst the entire staff.
The following is a list of a few of the morale boosting ideas the Early Childhood Center has implemented:
Treat cart that goes around midday between our preschool sessions once a month. One of the carts had a movie theme with popcorn and candy.
Monthly spirit days
At staff meetings, Dr. Pauwels draws a few names for prizes.
Dr. Pauwels has incorporated rubber ducks with numbers on it that are ultimately related to prizes.
Rubber ducks were also taken home for summer and winter break where staff took pictures which were put into a photo album.
For the winter holiday season, Dr. Pauwels hid ducks around the building that staff had to find. The ducks had prizes associated with a number.
Staff can fill out a Google form as a shout out to another staff member as a "token" for something they did to support somebody. The recipient gets an email that says who gave you a “token” and for what.
Dr. Pauwels uses a wheel of names to draw from all the “token” winners for more prizes. The winners are announced over the public announcements.
Dr. Pauwels has really created an atmosphere of fun as well as one where staff are recognized, appreciated, and valued. In talking to one of the staff members, the individual spoke highly of her principal and all that Dr. Pauwels does for the staff. She has mentioned how much the staff enjoy the rubber ducks and brings laughter and a sense of community within the school. As I mentioned last month, author Bob Nelson has written in his book, Work Made Fun Gets Done!, that having fun in the workplace is a secret ingredient to engage employees, which ultimately improves morale. It is evident that Dr. Pauwels, as the administrator, has been leading the way to using fun and other measures to improve morale.
Something else about Dr. Pauwels is that she uses district funds and her own money for the prizes and awards. As a community, we need to help administrators and schools with funding to cover the costs for a staff morale program. This could be in the form of donating items on a regular basis from various stores such Dollar Tree, Five Below, Sam’s Club, Costco, etc. In a previous blog, I mentioned how $25 each month could buy chips, candy, or other snacks for a cart, or stickers, games, puzzles, candles, fun supplies, etc. as rewards for a recognition program. These are some of the prizes and awards that the Early Childhood Center incorporates into their programs.
Our foundation wants to thank and recognize Dr. Sheryl Pauwels and The Early Childhood Center for their dedication to improving morale for its staff. In addition to displaying our own shout-out through our website and social media, we have given them a $50 mini grant to contribute towards their existing program.
Please mark your calendar for two dates. The first is June 13, 2024 when Cyndy and John Kay will be hosting a garage sale at their home in Palatine, IL. You can donate items for the sale or come purchase items. You can contact us at the website if you would like to donate items for the garage sale. Cyndy and John generously do an annual garage sale each year where everything they make goes to various charities. They have graciously selected ROSE Foundation as one of the several charities that will be supported through this year’s garage sale.
August 17, 2024 is the date for our fundraiser at Fernando's Tequila Bar and Restaurant 3450 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657. The fundraiser will include a silent auction with something a little different, an Artisan Showcase. If you cannot attend, it will also be broadcast live on Facebook where you can also participate. We are accepting donations via Venmo. You can always check out our website for more details. Any funds raised will be used to assist in the goal of increasing opportunities for positive staff morale programs in schools. If you are someone that is artistically or creatively talented, and would like to make something to donate to our fundraiser, please email us at: rosefoundationawards@rosefoundationawards.org.
Last but not least, we want to thank those that volunteer for our committees as well as those of you viewing, sharing, and/or liking one of our social media pages. We are extremely grateful for your support.. Thank you!!!
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