Positively Inspiring!

     ~By Emily Cline

Recently, NPR shared a story about a middle school principal in Far Rockaway Queens that is making a difference. He came there as principal there last year when the school had an "F" rating, as in it was failing. Badly. No one wanted to go to school: 50- 60 students were absent every day, 22 teachers had quit, the entire front office left, and hundreds of children had been suspended. Hundreds.

Photo by David Kestenbaum/NPR

The Principal, Mr. Shawn Rux, started an incentive system. Come to school and you get tickets. The tickets add up to win prizes.  He started a currency system called "Rux Bux" with which students could win things like school supplies, special lunches, an XBox, even a personal shopping spree with Mr. Rux.

It's working: attendance is up -- over 90% -- and the school has climbed from an "F" to a "C" already -- even though they were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy: some of the children's homes were destroyed. Mr. Rux was personally effected -- his car was ruined, the first floor of his home flooded.

Doodlebugheart wanted to help, so we decided to send a little care package: last week we sent 10 Basic 'Bug Craft Boxes.  We are inspired by Mr. Rux and the positive, constructive effect he is having on those children's lives, on the entire community -- especially in this time when lockdowns, firearms, and violence are so tragically prevalent in our schools. We're wondering what we can do as a community. If more of us could send encouragement and support to Mr. Rux, the staff, and students, what would it look like? What would you send?

MS 53

c/o Principal Shawn Rux

1045 Nameoke Street

Far Rockaway, NY  11691

(By the way, you can hear David Kestenbaum's full story by going to http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/12/14/167194092/how-a-middle-school-principal-convinced-students-to-come-to-school and click on "Listen to the Story".)

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***What's next?***

Join us in Larchmont ~ Saturday, March 2, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. for ourmonthly crafting date.We can make & fill travel journals, experiment with a Gelli plate, and as always, if you have your own craft, bring it. 

Suggested contribution of $10 at the door for supplies, though if it's your first time, please be our guest!
To RSVP and get more information, email: Info@Doodlebugheart.com