Fanning Falcons Are ‘Bucket Fillers’ Of Character

by Brenda Clark, Principal, Fanning School
 

Last year Fanning Falcons became bucket fillers. The idea of Bucket Fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton's metaphor of the bucket and the dipper. This metaphor was written in a form more understandable to children by Carol McCloud who wrote a book called “Have You Filled a Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids)”.

In the book is the idea that we all carry an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full, we feel happy. When our bucket is empty, we feel sad. A bucket filler is someone who says or does nice things for other people. By doing this, they are filling other people's buckets. While a bucket filler cannot fill his own bucket, his bucket fills as he fills others’.

On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does things to cause other people to feel bad. A bucket dipper empties their bucket when they say and do mean things. A bucket dipper’s bucket does not fill when they say and do mean things. The bucket never fills by dipping into someone else’s bucket.

Fanning Falcons practice being bucket fillers everyday by being caring and helpful at school. They demonstrate responsibility, trustworthiness and fairness daily as they work in class, play at recess and serve as class monitors. As they participate in student council or listen to the class senators of student council, Falcons show fairness, respect and grow as citizens. The values of caring, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, respect and citizenship are the Six Pillars of Character of the Character Counts! program. ‘Bucket fillers’ of character are encouraged at Fanning School. That is why Falcons are ‘bucket fillers’ of character.

Many thanks to Karen Powell of My Fun Teaching.com as a resource for this article.

Congratulations to our Fanning "Family" for a job well done.  We were notified on March 29 that Fanning was named a 2012 California Distinguished School!  A big thank you to all staff, students, parents, families and volunteers for your incredible dedication, commitment, passion, and support!

Registration of children who will be eligible to enter kindergarten in September, 2012 has begun and will continue until the end of the school year in June.  The hours for registration at Fanning are 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Click HERE for information on required documents, immunizations, and health screening. 

Click HERE to print copies of kindergarten registration forms.

The Fanning School motto, "Preparing children for their tomorrows" is painted on the main media center doors.  It serves as a constant reminder to teachers, volunteers, and support staff that every action taken is done with an eye toward each student's future.  Daily, students are reminded they are the focus of everyone's efforts as they enter the media center.

Click HERE for information on required documents, immunizations, and health screening.

Click HERE to print copies of K-6 grade registration forms.