A leadership class at Iola High School has brought a positive outlook to fellow students. The class was assigned to read the children’s book, “How Full is your Bucket,” and created a program afterward.
In the story a boy named Felix learns how being kind not only helps others, it helps him, too. His grandfather uses the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, and why happy people make Felix feel good, and thus “fill” his emotional bucket, while those with negative emotions are a drain on his bucket.
Felix also realizes how he affects others and wants to become a positive influence.
Even though this is a kid’s book, the important lesson spurred the students to create a “Fill the Bucket” program. The program has students nominate fellow classmates for being kind or for doing something kind for others. The leadership class made posters to place around the building to create pride within the student body.
“Students or teachers can fill out a form from the counseling office and write down who is being nominated and why the person is nominated,” Melissa Stiffler, Iola High School counselor said.
After filling out the form students and faculty can then place it in a bucket that is kept in the counseling office. Stiffler said in the first week there were 50 nominations entered.
“It makes the students’ day when they see what is said about them,” she said.
At the end of each week Stiffler draws a name out of the bucket and the winner gets a bucket full of candy and a gift card.
Teachers are included in the fun as well. Students or co-workers can nominate faculty. Each month a teacher is chosen and they receive a larger bucket full of goodies.
“Last month Amy Shannon, the high school art teacher, won,” Stiffler said.
A teacher for November will be chosen near the end of the month.
How full is your bucket? Program gives positive outlook
