Published: 11/20/2017 5:12:05 PM
GREENFIELD — How can an ice cream for a job well done start to shift a culture?
That’s one way Greenfield High School hopes to recognize the hard work of its high-achieving students.
“We have almost 200 students who invest their daily lives into doing well academically,” Principal Karin Patenaude said. “But we don’t do anything as a community from eighth grade to 12th grade — great job, you’re fabulous.”
Monday afternoon, the high school held its first ice cream social for its honor roll students as a way to recognize the achievements of the 183 students.
Although students are sent home with report cards and honor roll lists are posted, Patenaude said that during the summer, the administration wanted to find a way to honor its students in a different way.
“I feel like we have to academically focus on more of what we celebrate here,” Patenaude said.
As students rolled out at the end of the school day, before boarding buses, heading to athletics or whatever the rest of the day may bring them, they grabbed their choice among chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream. They hung out with their friends and enjoyed the treat, even as temperatures have dipped to a chilly degree.
“It may just be a little ice cream cup, but the excitement was overwhelming today,” Patenaude said. “They were just proud of themselves, which I don’t think they stop and think about enough.”
The ice cream social will happen at the end of every academic quarter. Students can make the honor roll with a minimum of A’s, B’s and one “C-plus.” Juniors and seniors are recognized by honor societies, but Patenaude is excited that this gives a chance to also celebrate the work of eighth- through 10th-graders.
And after all, in a world of academic stress, a little ice cream may go a long way.
“Hopefully this makes them pause and say, ‘I did well and am proud of it,’ ” Patenaude said.
You can reach Joshua Solomon
at: jsolomon@recorder.com
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On Twitter: @therealjsolo