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K-Kids
K-Kids, a local Kiwanis club sponsored community service program for elementary school students, has experienced
continued growth since its inception in 1990. Begun in Florida, the program soon spread to other districts. K-Kids was adopted
as a sponsored program of Kiwanis International on October 1, 1998.
K-Kids clubs operate under school regulation and draw its members from the elementary school student body. K-kids
is sponsored by a local Kiwanis club, working in concert with parents, teachers, and school administrators to provide young
children their first experience in service learning, community service, leadership development, and partnering with organizations
committed to the welfare of the community.
K-Kids clubs elect a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. Each club is supported by one or more
faculty and Kiwanis advisors, parents, and a K-Kids Committee from each sponsoring organization. K-Kids may be sponsored by
a Kiwanis club and a Circle K Club or by a Kiwanis club and a Key Club.
K-Kids is structured only on the local club level but is supported by the Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis,
Indiana. The International Office provides programs, literature, and opportunities to relate to elementary school children
from countries all around the world. New club building kits are available through the Kiwanis International Office.
The district may have a district committee chairperson responsible for the K-Kids program on that level. This
person serves to promote the K-Kids program, train Kiwanis clubs concerning their role in sponsoring a K-kids club and involving
Key Clubs and Circle K as cosponsors of K-Kids clubs.
Above all else, K-Kids is a community-service organization whose members are dedicated to improving their communities.
The variety of K-Kids service work is as broad as the need it fills. The elderly, the disabled, and the underprivileged are
all benefited by K-Kids sponsored projects. Virtually any unanswered need is a potential target for K-Kids commitment and
dedication.
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Being young leaders through academic achievement.
Bring Up Grades, or BUG is a program designed to provide recognition
to students who raise their grades to an acceptable range, and maintain or continue to raise them from one grading period
to the next. Recognition includes being placed on the school's BUG Honor Roll; a pizza, ice cream, or other food-themed party;
and presentation of certificates, pins, and other giveaways.
A sponsoring club helps support the BUG program at the school. The club plans BUG recognition events, provides awards,
and establishes partnerships with local community businesses to secure support for the program. Sponsoring businesses have
the option of providing coupons, giveaways, or food for BUG parties.
The teacher establishes a base line grade for each student during the first grading period. Students are honored each grading
period thereafter if they maintain their grades and raise one grade.
A SUPER BUG also is honored as part of this program. A SUPER BUG is a student who served as a mentor assisting
others in achieving their goals of bringing up one grade.
Though this program was created for the traditional A, B, C grading system, it can be adapted to work with any type of
grading system. Example: Increasing a mark from U-Unsatisfactory, to N-Needs Improvement, or raising a mark from N-Needs Improvement,
to S-Satisfactory would qualify a student for recognition.
The program was created for use in a school setting, but a community center or agency supporting youth could use this program
to encourage academic achievement. The designated program coordinator would recognize participants when report card grades
are shared and it is noted that a grade has been raised. | | |
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Being young leaders through practicing good character and good citizenship.
Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem, and perseverance.
Students work with their classroom teacher and establish goals to improve behavior, peer relationships, attendance, or schoolwork.
Students then work toward achieving the goal during a specific time period. The teachers and principal determine the best
schedule for recognition. Some schools recognize Terrific Kids during each grading period; others recognize students more
often.
At the end of the designated time period all students who achieved their goals are recognized as Terrific Kids. Recognition
includes being pinned as a Terrific Kid; a pizza, ice cream, or other food-themed party; and presentation of certificates,
and other giveaways.
A sponsoring club helps support the Terrific Kids program at the school. The club plans Terrific Kids parties, provides
recognition, and establishes partnerships with local community businesses to secure support for the program. Sponsoring businesses
have the option of providing coupons, giveaways, or food for Terrific Kids parties.
The Terrific Kids program provides teachers with a tool to reward students for special achievements that may otherwise
go unnoticed.
TERRIFIC is an acronym meaning:
Thoughtful Enthusiastic Respectful Responsible Inclusive
Friendly Inquisitive Capable Though the Terrific Kids program was designed
as a school program, it also can be adapted for use in community centers or other organizations that support youth. When used
in this setting, a staff member steps in to serve in the teacher's role. The staff member then works with participants to
set goals and monitors achievement.
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