In 1983 the Kiwanis Club of Black Mountain-Swannanoa, North Carolina created a program in a local elementary school to reward students who improved their behavior, attendance and school work. The program was called "Terrific Kids". Motivation, encouragement, and recognition were the three elements of the program which worked magic with kids by creating positive attitudes and self-discipline. The program was a huge success. Absenteeism and tardiness declined and academic performance improved. The program quickly spread to other schools in the area. The Terrific Kids Program was then adopted by the International Kiwanis Club. Today over 800 Kiwanis Clubs sponsor Terrific Kids programs nationwide, reaching nearly one million students.
About the Kiwanis Club of Toledo Terrific Kids Program
While our club provides basic direction and guidance, the staff at Sherman Elementary really drive our program here in Toledo. Any Sherman Elementary School student can be a "Terrific Kid" by meeting a goal, changing or improving a behavior, or performing some type of community service project. Each month, parents of Terrifc Kids are notified and the school recognizes the child's accomplishments at a ceremony where small incentives and certificates are awarded. The Kiwanis Club of Toledo hosts the Terrific Kids during a luncheon each month where all of the students are recognized individually and congratulated by our members. Volunteers from the Boys and Girls Clubs place congratualtion signs in the yards of Terrific Kids each month.
It is a cooperative effort between the staff at Sherman Elementary school and the members of the Kiwanis Club of Toledo. Terrific Kids is a positive, action-oriented, self-esteem program we are very proud to sponsor.
