It’s hard to watch your kids grow up. This year my middle daughter will move onto Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School. And my son, my youngest child will leave Sangamon Elementary.
Sangamon is where we started our oldest daughter in the Mahomet-Seymour School District nearly seven years ago. If I’m being honest, I’m feel the tug when I think about my kids getting older, but I’m pretty sad that I won’t have another child go through this amazing school.
The three kids have had four different teachers. I can honestly say the educational foundation they have received there has by far exceeded my expectations. And I have high expectations.
While the four teachers my children had are impeccable women, I actually admire the entire Sangamon Elementary staff. Over the last seven years I have gone from not knowing a soul in that school to watching my friends pour their hearts and souls into these little six and seven year old bodies day after day.
I visited my son at lunch on Tuesday, knowing it was the last time I would be able to eat as a parent at Sangamon. I’m sure if I asked, Mr. Cabutti would let me sit in on some other lunches, but I don’t want to be the weird lady in the corner.
I remember the first time I ate lunch with my oldest daughter. We were seated at the front table while other students filed into the cafeteria in hot and cold lunch lines. The most helpful cafeteria workers I had ever seen patiently helped students find their seats, and then the man of the hour, Mr. Cabutti, came in.
Over seven years of watching countless lunches, volunteering in the classrooms and interviewing Mr. Cabutti, he has taught me a few things I would like to share with you today.
1) It’s important for leaders to be visible (and to have a little fun)
As a student, principals were unapproachable. Actually, in kindergarten and first grade we talked about how the principal’s paddle had nails on it. The man tucked away in his office, filing paperwork, making sure everything stayed in order. In my mind, principals have always been disciplinarians.
But Mr. Cabutti is different. I see him every time I visit Sangamon. And my kids love going to the principal’s office.
Of course, he’s known for his lunchtime show where he plays games to earn extra recess, but he can also be found in the office with an open door or in the hallway talking to students.
And while the kids and parents get a laugh out of what Mr. Cabutti does in the cafeteria, that’s not why he’s important to us. He’s magical to us because he’s present in the moment with the kids. He’s giving high fives, throwing frisbees, launching egg baskets, playing football or spraying them down with the hose. He’s constantly working to let every child know that they are seen, heard and valued.
The students and teachers and parents at Sangamon Elementary know the man who leads the school is also there to walk beside them as they go through their journey.
2) Don’t expect anyone to be someone they are not
I’m not sure how it happened, but although all three of my children came from the same parents, they are all unique. They have varying academic skills and interests. Two are competitive. One is passive. And at each of my children have been able to be exactly who they are.
While academics are important at Sangamon, character education is also very prominent. Each child is expected to adhere to three principles: be respectful, be responsible and be safe. No mumbo jumbo. No unobtainable goals. Just produce innate behavior that contributes to the community as a whole.
Students not only know what these terms mean, but they also know that within their small bodies and minds they possess the capabilities to follow these simple instructions while they learn, play and interact.
3) Acknowledge the best in people
Being on the “Good News Card” at Sangamon Elementary is quite the honor. The little slip of paper given to students for achieving a goal, holding a door or just practicing appropriate behavior is like gold. Not only do the kids get to make a special visit to Mr. Cabutti’s office where he’ll talk to them for a few minutes, but they also get to go out to lunch recess early.
On the surface, it may appear that students just want the benefits of being on the “Good News Card,” but what Mr. Cabutti does is honor their character both individually and publicly. He tells them I see the good in you. Let’s do more of that together.
4) Always promote community and an open environment
When I learned parents were welcome to volunteer in the classroom and come to lunch at Sangamon, I was pretty surprised. Really? I can go eat with the kids whenever I want? I can come to their parties? And visit their classroom? Go on their field trips?
The Mahomet-Seymour School District, especially at the elementary school level, provides many opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in the school. And this is a blessing.
I believe Mr. Cabutti knows the open school environment fosters relationships between children and parents, parents and teachers and parents and staff.
I’ve seen how this philosophy brings people together to build a stronger community, both inside and outside of the school.
5) Make sure you know everyone’s name
When Mr. Cabutti prepares for kindergarten students to come into first grade, he uses their school pictures to memorize their names before they step through the door the first day of school.
Mr. Cabutti knows that when he looks at them in their little eyes, they will feel comfort in knowing the principal already knows their name. That he has already invested in them.
6) Always greet and shake hands with your friends
Of course it would be hard to know the names of parents, grandparents and visitors before they come to Sangamon. So, usually, before children come to the cafeteria for lunch, Mr. Cabutti is nearby to shake hands with visitors. If he misses someone, he makes his way around the parent table shaking hands before picking up the microphone to talk to the students.
It’s a small gesture. A story about their child. A question about their day. Always with a smile. Always with a welcoming heart. Every day.
7) Let people know what you expect from them
Aside from good character, Mr. Cabutti also knows that the first and second grade children are capable of following directions and contributing to the community as a whole. Students know they are expected to read 20 minutes a night, to clean up after themselves and to pay attention when their teacher is giving instructions.
I will never forget watching Mr. Cabutti give children high fives as they came in from recess a few years ago. Their hands were held high in the air “Showing 2” proudly. But one boy would not stop talking. Mr. Cabutti pulled him aside, talked to him about his mistake, then packed him back in line to go to his classroom.
8) Fun is good, but sometimes it can go overboard
Well. This is kind of a running joke in my little Sangamon circle. When my oldest daughter was in first grade, her teacher asked me to take the children into the hallway to pain on paper for an Eric Carle project they were putting together.
I’m sure her teacher knew I am laid back, but maybe not to the degree that I am. So we are out in the hall. Painting away. Sometimes off the paper. And then Mr. Cabutti comes along. This is the guy who throws things in the cafeteria at lunch time.
But my method of free-painting and cleaning solution had the potential to take the wax off the floor. Mr. Cabutti politely instructed me to stop, comes back with a bucket of water and a large mop, and cleans up my mess. Honestly, I stood there terrified. I did not want to disappoint Mr. Cabutti.
Mr. Cabutti is always very mindful of the consequences of his actions. He taught me to be careful and not so impulsive in that moment.
9) Give everyone a chance to show off their talents
Each child who comes through Sangamon Elementary has a gift. Some kids memorize presidents, others can rap. Some kids can catch a football and other children can tell jokes. Whether Mr. Cabutti believes they are good at their talent or not, I’ll never know. Whether it is during a winter talent show, a second grade egg drop or during a kickball game, he always gives them a chance to show off what they believe they can do. And he acknowledges their efforts with a smile and applause.
10) There’s always room at the table for one more
When I ate lunch with my son on Tuesday, we sat at a small picnic table under the large tree at the corner of the playground. My son sat to my left and two of his friends joined us across the table.
After we started eating, a young girl walked up to the tree, put her lunch down, tried to kill some ants and then fidgeted with her food.
I was going to ask her to sit with us, but with three boys talking about multiplication and division problems, I put myself in her shoes and decided to let her think about the ants.
Shortly before it was time to dismiss the students to play, Mr. Cabutti came over to our table. My son scooted closer to me to make room for him. We talked about his father’s tomato plants and how his face is similar to his dad.
Then, Mr. Cabutti asked the girl if she would like to sit at the table with us. She declined. My son said, “There is not enough room for her.”
Mr. Cabutti, teaching him in the ways a man should teach a boy, said, “I was going to get up and give my seat to her. Just as a gentleman should.”
