Throughout the halls of Boothbay Region Elementary School are posters containing these words: “A REMINDER: There is more good than bad in this world. More light than darkness and you can make more light.” The author is Peter Reynolds, who is also an illustrator. Part of the mission statement on his website reads, “My journey has been dedicated to helping kids, especially the "off the path" kids. I was one of them myself. Not every student is lucky enough to have a teacher, or adult, see his or her potential.”

Too often that is true. But thanks to the efforts and commitment of the BRES Student Culture and Climate Committee, most students are lucky enough, and then some.

The committee's mission is to model behavior reminding every student, “off the path” or not, that they have the power to change lives with every day kindnesses and respect for fellow students, teachers and staff. The phrase “The Power of One,” comes up time and again.

The committee, made up of a diverse group of teachers, specialists, educational technicians, secretaries, and counselors, was created out of discussions held last year between BRES Principal Mark Tess and newly hired Assistant Principal Tricia Campbell. “One observation I had was that teachers were juggling so many things we didn't have time to communicate and celebrate the great work they and our students were doing. The fast pace can cause isolation, which can really impact the climate and culture of a school,” said Campbell.

For this school year, Tess and Campbell gathered together a contingent of available staff. “I spoke with them about forming different committees to address building and school needs,” said Campbell. “It was from these discussions that the (committee) came to be. The goals are to acknowledge our school strengths, improve on needs, and work on staff morale, student participation, and voice.”

The committee thought that one way to gather students, teachers and staff together was to hold school spirit assemblies throughout the year with inspiring speakers who set positive examples. The first assembly was set to take place Dec. 21 and feature artist Robert Shetterly, whose work and humanitarian efforts epitomize the characteristics of respectfulness, kindness, and responsibility BRES is working to foster.

“We decided to tie in a visual theme of light to help students understand they each have a role,” said Campbell. So, in December, BRES teachers and staff have been presenting students “caught” in the act of being nice or helping out with a BRES Spirit Card. The simple yellow card has room for the student's name, grade, date and teacher. “Be The Light!” is typed underneath the information. When the cards are turned into the office, a paper candle representing the light that child has shone goes up on the wall and along a corridor in the school. By Friday, Dec. 16, there were 740 candles. The day before that, the candles numbered 645. “I could not be more proud of them,” Campbell said. “They are proud of themselves, and it shows in their faces and behavior.”

The committee includes Christina Barter, Jennifer Bryce, Tricia Campbell, Deb Chaney, Janice Cotier, JoAnne DiMauro, Kim Dionne, Sarah Foster, Kristin Gray, Sarah Gordon, Kathy Hartley, Lee Lorrain, Michelle Miclette, Jessica Nadeau, Genie Connell, Teresa Tess and Lisa Tilton.

Tess is proud to be part of these efforts, saying, “In addition to educating children, we have the responsibility of being role models. In a world of escalating violence, we truly believe we can make a difference by modeling empathy, kindness, and respect.”