Bounce Back Otters! Building Resilience Through Recognition
Cara Denny
ID-3838
School Name:Herbert Cambridge Elementary
Grant Request Grade:K-5
Grant Request Subject:Other
Additional Details
The goal of this project is to create a school culture where students understand that effort matters, mistakes are part of learning, and perseverance is something to celebrate. We are hoping to purchase Tumble Tykes weighted-bottom toys to use as a special recognition for our Students of the Month. These unique toys may tumble when pushed but are designed to always return to an upright position. They provide a fun representation of one of the most important lessons we can teach children: we may stumble, struggle, or make a mistake, but we can get back up and try again.
Our Otters of the Month are recognized not simply for academic achievement, but for demonstrating the qualities of resilience, perseverance and hard work.
Each month a student from every classroom will be selected as the Student of the Month, which based on our mascot, we call the ‘Otter of the Month’. This student will be chosen by their teacher or classmates and recognized for the choices they make and the effort they put forth in the classroom. ‘Otters of the Month’ will be recognized on the school news, and in their classroom with a certificate and an Otter Tumble Tyke. Student pictures will also be posted on a bulletin board both as a recognition of the student, and as a motivation to other students. When presenting the award, we will emphasize that the student is being recognized for more than simply having a good month, they are being recognized for the choices they make and the effort they put forth. When students receive a Tumble Tyke, we can connect the award to the character traits that earned them the award. The Tumble Tyke will then serve as a physical reminder of their resilience and perseverance.
Elementary school is a time when children are learning how to handle challenges, mistakes, disappointment, and frustration. A student may struggle with a difficult assignment, make a poor choice, lose a game, have trouble solving a problem, or feel like giving up. We want students to understand that ‘tumbling’ isn't failing and getting back up is something to celebrate. The Tumble Tyke will become a small but powerful reminder that resilience is a skill we can practice. We hope that receiving a Tumble Tyke will make each Student of the Month feel proud while also sending a message to the entire school community:
“We notice when you keep trying. We notice when you make positive choices. We notice when you get back up.”
Your support will allow us to purchase 180 Otter Tumble Tykes to recognize our Students of the Month throughout the school year. Each toy will represent more than an award—it will represent hard work, perseverance, positive choices, and the belief that every child can bounce back from a challenge.
