Grace Foundation Makes a Positive Impact with Operation Positive Role Model

More than 70 Mildred E. Strang Middle School students received accolades, recognition and rewards for contributing to Operation Project Role Model, at the Grace Foundation annual dinner held earlier this month. Students Kristen Burke, Domenica Scannapieco and Anna Carbone were awarded $1,000 scholarship for their outstanding behavior and spontaneous acts of kindness throughout the year. Each of the winners went through rigorous recognition process, and were recognized by their peers, teachers and staff independently of each other.

Operation Project Role Model is a continuous school year program that is made up of three parts: 1) PBIS or Positive Behavior and To Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful 2) Bully Prevention Committee that addresses anti bullying programs and the VIP club that meets weekly to plan positive activities that encourage positive behavior. The three parts help shape and build kindness and an appreciation of being positive.

The Grace Foundation has been supporting Operation Positive Role Model for 6 years and has seen the program flourish. Earlier in the year, The F. Cecil Grace Foundation granted $125,000 to the various positive role model programs. Michael Dorn and Haifa Bint- Kadi are a two of respected speakers who who came to share their stories and expertise on character building and bullying with the middle schoolers.

The grant also provided support for video and podcasting programs in the middle school that have been used to produce anti-bullying PSAs (public service announcements) and poetry that have been used to as building blocks in Operation Positive Role Model.