October 2024 Learner of the Month, C.A.K.E. Recipients

Congratulations to Olivia Chatterton, a 2nd grade learner attending Tyhee Elementary, and Elisa Curtner, a 10th grade learner attending Pocatello High School, who were chosen as the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 October C.A.K.E. award recipients. C.A.K.E. stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement.

Olivia was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Melanie Blad.  In her nomination letter, Ms. Blad wrote, “Olivia is a very kind and sweet student. She has a positive attitude and is always willing to help. Two weeks into school, we received a new student in our class. I sat her by Olivia and asked Olivia to please help her. She rose to the challenge. Olivia always made sure the new student had out all the correct supplies, turned to the correct page, and kept up with the lesson. Olivia didn't hesitate to show the new student around and included her at recess time. She is a great example of being a leader in our school and classroom.”

Elisa was nominated by her teacher, Mr. L. Case Stayner. In his nomination letter, Mr. Stayner wrote, “I have been teaching Elisa since the beginning of the trimester. She and her family recently moved from Czech. This has been a difficult transition for her in both language barriers and missing her friends and family in Czech. It is my belief that her cheerful personality and rigorous mentality have aided her in her ability to succeed in school this year so far. Elisa has sought out extra help from me as her English teacher to help her understand the English language, English terms, and grammar concepts that have been lost in translation. Her cheerful personality has allowed her to make new friends, particularly in her English class; and these friends also help her understand concepts taught in class. 

One instance in particular happened yesterday: Elisa received permission from another teacher to come and see me so I could help her formulate ideas for her midterm narrative essay. She spent an hour with me coming up with ideas, and afterward, she also finished her daily vocabulary for the week. Her integrity to be the best student she can be is something all students should work towards. 

I look forward to having her in class each day because of her bright and cheerful personality. She makes everyone around her smile, never says a crude word, and she works hard each day despite struggling with moving across the world to living in a new culture. She is a real-life example of what President John F. Kennedy said, ‘We choose to go to the moon in this generation and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.’ Elisa does hard things, and she succeeds in them! She, and students like her, remind me each day why I wanted to become a teacher... to help those who need help and to teach those who need taught, but also to learn how to be a better human being from those around me.”
Olivia and Elisa were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Our Partner for this award, Johnson Family McDonald's provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names. 

PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character.  The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal.