Berkeley School Admins Surprise Kind Students At Their Homes

BERKELEY, NJ — Plenty of Berkeley Township Elementary School students have received surprise visits from their principals. They're not in trouble — quite the opposite.

BTES administrators began a tradition of surprising students at their homes, recognizing them for their kindness. Principal Daniel Prima and Assistant Principal Kevin Waldron alert parents in advance and then reward students with a lawn sign that says "kindness counts. You've been counted."

"We try to at least see one or two students a week," Prima told Patch. "Sometimes we don’t, but we have a good handful right now that we keep visiting."

When Prima returned to the school three years ago, he emphasized kindness and respect. He and Waldron began the surprise home visits then, but they added the lawn sign this year.

Several students go above and beyond. A student once wore sneakers and pants that looked a little worn out. So one of their peers asked their parents if they could buy the child clothing and sneakers. The family anonymously gave the student new clothes.

"There are many acts of kindness that go on within our school throughout the day," Prima said. "That was just one that sticks out to me."

The school also holds "week in review" assemblies that promote positivity. Prima created a Google Sheet where teachers can highlight a student's name and list their recent accomplishments.

The entire fifth grade and then the sixth grade gather for these assemblies each Friday morning. Prima calls students to the stage and honors them in front of their peers.

"There are just those kids that, regardless of the situation," Prima said, "they’re just happy and kind to every single person they come in contact with."

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