Proud Calls

At Richard Mann Elementary School in upstate New York, parents are actually excited to get a call from the principal's office.

In her "Proud Calls" program, Principal Katy Lumb summons students to her office when they have accomplished something exceptional, and the student gets to call a favorite adult from the principal's office to celebrate.

"Hey, I'm making a proud call," says one student to his parent. "I'm kind to other people, and I'm really driven."

"I have a positive attitude, and I'm a responsible helper," says another student to her chosen adult.

"I was the best at my reading test," reports a third.

As parents ooh and aah over their child's accomplishment or good deed, Lumb says that the culture of positivity this program fosters is critical: "It's important that every child comes to school every day and feels like they belong. It doesn't take winning a gigantic award or acing a test for us to feel proud of who they are in school."

As we are reminded in Hebrews 10:24, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." How might you spur someone else toward love and good deeds this week?

Christ's peace to you.