Kelley School third, fourth and fifth grade pupils who demonstrated positive PRIDE behavior more than 80 percent of the time during the last six weeks were rewarded with a one-hour break from instruction on the recent Incentive Day February 9th.
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KS Principal Christina Sullivan said about 96 percent of the school population qualified.
“This the second Incentive Day we’ve done this year, and the kids really love it,’’ she said. “They tell us in our Town Hall meetings what kind of activities they would like for the event. We’re planning another one in the Spring. One for each trimester this year.”
Students who qualified could choose to make crafts, participate in games in the gym, be a part of the Minecraft Build Challenge in the library, play outside in the snow or watch a movie in the auditorium during their one-hour hiatus.
There were three, one-hour sessions with one for each grade level.
And since the event fell on the third day of the Winter Olympics in Italy, Aaron Sweet, Technology Integration Coach for the Newark Central School District encouraged students to build Olympic-related scenes.
Whether students preferred to team up for free‑build fun with friends or take on a creative challenge, the library was buzzing with energy, collaboration, and pixel‑powered imagination, Sweet said.
“Those who chose the Winter Olympics Build Challenge were greeted with a menu of inspiring options, including building Olympic venues like ski jumps and hockey rinks, creating pixel‑art flags and medal podiums, inventing brand‑new sports, or designing their own Olympic torch and plaza. Students launched into the Ice Plains Biome and immediately began shaping snow‑filled landscapes into their own Winter Games.
“Across the room, free builders crafted everything from the beginnings of a castle to collaborative winter structures. Several students even created a curling lane, figure skating rink, and other Olympic‑themed builds.”
Sweet joined the fun too with his own curling build _ and students loved seeing the friendly competition between their creations and his!
“The hour flew by as students collaborated, solved problems together, shared ideas, and celebrated each other’s builds. Their excitement, creativity, and teamwork made this Incentive Day choice a huge hit _ and a reminder of how powerful meaningful play can be,” Sweet said.