Group photo of Central Boulevard staff holding their rocks

Students and staff from Central Boulevard Elementary School started the 2023-2024 school year on a positive note as they each “created a positive vision” about the future. “Create a positive vision” is a rule from Jon Gordon’s book, “The Energy Bus for Kids: A Story About Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges.” The Central Boulevard school community has participated in the Energy Bus program, based on the book, for the past few years to help sustain a positive school culture.

To showcase their positive visions, each staff member at Central Boulevard was asked to think about one word that they want to follow this school year. They each used paint pens to write their one word on a rock and decorate it. Some of the positive words that the staff picked were blessed, determined, inspire, kindness, perseverance and steadfast. The decorated rocks will be placed outside in a school rock garden for all to see.

Students were also encouraged to “create a positive vision.” During the school’s first Thoughtful Thursday of the 2023-2024 school year, each class was challenged to generate a word or words that best described their goals. The students created a poster with one word that their class agreed upon or they made a word cloud to display the one-word ideas of each student.

On Sept. 27, Central Boulevard students and staff gathered in the school’s all-purpose room for the first Energy Bus assembly of the school year. The celebration, which was emceed by library media specialist Ashley Scotto and school psychologist Dr. Louis Ricci, highlighted the Energy Bus program, set up expectations for this year’s program and dove into the meaning of the first rule, “create a positive vision.” Students danced and cheered as Central Boulevard Principal Dominique Siebert held up a sign featuring the first rule. In addition, Ms. Scotto shared that each student would be creating their own one-word license plates during their upcoming library periods which will then be displayed around the school building.  

Both the students and staff are excited about the new year ahead and look forward to following their 2023-2024 visions!