Community Spotlight
Submitted by Rachel Turetsky
BCS Communications Department
Researchers in education find that students in schools with a strong sense of community are more likely to be motivated to learn as well as to develop a strong sense of ethics and responsibility.
Principal Tracy Kent believes in building that strong sense of community at Berlin Elementary School.
Principal Kent and the Character Education Committee see community building happening within the school and also in the examples that are set in student’s homes.
In normal school years students at BES would come together monthly in the gymnasium to talk about character traits that build a strong school community. The students discussed being supportive of one another and honoring the accomplishments successes of their fellow students through awards and recognition.
In previous years at the start of the BES community-building assemblies the students would recite the “Mountaineer Mantra,” which calls for being responsible, safe and respectful. These three traits are evident in the classrooms, hallways, cafeteria and school buses of BES.
Students encourage their fellow students to see this mantra as something they all have in common.
This school year has posed a new challenge, however, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic preventing students from regularly coming together to celebrate their community. Yet Principal Kent and the Character Education team have not let that stop them from continuing to build the essential community component at BES.
Students now gather virtually and continue cultivating their community in spite of the challenges the pandemic has presented. December’s “mindset focus,” discussed during the monthly assembly, decided to honor those who support and inspire others.
In that spirit, BES’s Community Spotlight features four nominees, nominated by the community: the Goyer family, the Sorbello family, the Berlin Fire Department and BES’s own Principal Kent.
Editors Note: Because of the length of the feature pieces on all four nominees, and because they deserve to have their complete story told, The Eastwick Press is going to feature one nominee each week untill all four have been properly honored. Here is the first.
The Goyer Family Of Grafton
The Goyers’ mother Noelle, father Jay and children Julia, Vanessa, Angelina, Nora, Greenly, Christopher and Jason, well deserve the recognition.
Mrs. Goyer has been the Grafton Youth Director for over ten years. She organizes events for, and builds relationships with, the youth of Grafton.
Mrs. Goyer and her husband, Jay, along with daughters Julia and Angelina, are members of the Grafton Volunteer Fire Company. Julia and Angelina, along with their mother, are also members of the Grafton Auxiliary.
Mr. and Mrs. Goyer have been Rensselaer County foster parents for 13 years and have taken a very active part in the lives of many young people.
“We were both blessed with a servant’s heart and hope that it’s something we have instilled in our children,” said Mrs. Goyer. “Our community is small, so even if you put in a minimal amount of time, you’re still making a difference,”
Jay and Noelle’s inspiration comes from Jay’s parents, Dale and Jim Goyer, active members of the community.
“I have had the joy of being able to witness their dedication to the town for the last 25 years,” said Mrs. Goyer. “We recommend everyone get involved in their communities in some way.”
Mrs. Goyer added, “There are so many great groups in our small communities, and they need new members in order to continue operating.”