An apple today

Sometimes the little gestures are the most meaningful. Take, for example, the note of appreciation given to Central High School, Athens, TN by the local Optimist Club. As a way of saying thanks, member Rob Preston placed an apple in each teacher's mailbox.

A little trite? Perhaps, but cute and healthy, too, and a way of saying we're thinking about you today and want you to thank you for all that you do.

Good job, Optimists! Take a look at its Facebook page to see some of the other thoughtful gestures of the Athens Optimist Club.

Honoring teachers everywhere

Optimist Clubs are known for recognizing children. Aside from parents, no one has more of an impact on children than their teachers. That is why the Optimist Club of Newark, California decided to honor teachers everywhere at the club meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

The presentation, led by President-elect Russ Blowers and Teacher of the Year event chairperson Denise Fullerton, began with club members sharing memories of their favorite teachers.  Members discussed how they remembered different history, math, English, and literature teachers, but the most important part of the memory was how they helped each individual overcome shyness, make friends, and lead.

What a wonderful lead-in to the main event where Milani Elementary School Principal Dr. Le Kimbre Brown enthusiastically praised the honorees, her fellow staff members, Yoon Chi and Janine Friend.

Yoon Chi was named Teacher of the Year for making a lasting impression on her students and being a staff leader.

Janine Friend was named Classified Employee of the Year for being the "ultimate nurturer" to students in the school's resource center.

Yoon Chi, Le Kimbre Brown, and Janine Friend

The honorees received flowers, gift certificates and praise from the Newark Optimist Club and Dr. Brown accepted a Staples gift certificate for the school in honor of the faculty and staff achievements.

Thanks to The Informer newsletter editor Marla Blowers for the story and pictures. 

Make scholarship opportunities readily available to students

This post is more for schools and school districts around the country.  Dear reader, if you have any influence with one in your community, please make this suggestion to them; recommend that they include a page on their website devoted to scholarship opportunities. 

This is a link to a scholarship page at the West Caldwell High School in Caldwell, South Carolina. 

And then also encourage a policy which ensures that no opportunities be turned away.   While it seems like such a simple suggestion, I have been amazed at the different counselors and school district superintendents, teachers and others that have said that an award offered by a group is not enough to get their attention or we don't have time to add another contest to our curriculum.  Students have different interests and abilities and what appeals to one may not interest the next.  It is our responsibility to offer opportunities for all. 

Optimist Clubs promote opportunity.  I hope our schools will do the same.

Breakfast celebration with the Optimist Club

In Palm Springs, California, the Palm Desert Optimist Club celebrates exceptional students and exceptional school staff members every month at a breakfast.   This month six students, one certified staff member and one classified staff member from Palm Desert High School received honors. Honorees were senior Cameron Curtis, senior Yolanda Velazquez, junior Ryan Clark, junior Antonia Gutierrez, sophomore Mykolas Marcinkevicius, sophomore Morgan Levy, freshman Daniel Rolph, freshman Kate Mook, certified staff member Karen Logan and classified staff member Thressa Williams.

This is a simple way to get the club's name out in front of your schools so that when it is time to hold scholarship contests and encourage student participation in community service activities they are already aware of the purposes of the Optimist Club and familiar with its members.  Plus it's a great way to say thanks to some hard working people for making a positive difference every day.