Thanking FRED
Bowles Elementary School's practice, “Thanking FRED”, came about three years ago. It began with studying a book titled “Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn. The book tells of a postman, Fred Shea, and his passion for treating people in an extraordinary way. After reading the book, the school implemented the “FRED” program by beginning to recognize the kindnesses others perform for the staff members. A form was designed to write thank you to personal “FREDS”, and a mailbox was placed in the staff lounge with blank forms. At each staff meeting, “FREDS” are passed out among the staff members to read aloud the notes of thanks. A smile is often brought to the face of the person acknowledged. This acknowledgement has helped the school community to be more reflective and appreciative for all the good deeds they did for one another and others. Two classrooms decided to create a class t-shirt around the Fred theme and also embraced the practice in their own classrooms.