The Kiwanis Club of the Valley – in conjunction with the Auburn School District – honored more than 1,200 students for getting BUG-ged.

Students, mostly fourth- and fifth-graders from 12 elementary schools recently were recognized for successfully participating in the BUG or Bring Up Grades program.

BUG is designed to provide recognition to students who raise their grades to an acceptable range, and maintain or continue to raise them from one grading period to the next.

The teacher establishes a baseline grade for each student during the first grading period. Students are honored each grading period thereafter if they maintain their grades and raise one grade.

Students were given a certificate of achievement at two assemblies held at the schools and attended by Kiwanians. A few of the schools allowed the Kiwanians to host an ice cream party for qualified students at the end of the year.

This is the third year Kiwanians have supported the BUG program at local schools.

At Pioneer Elementary, the program has taken flight. About 150 students participated, with good results, this past school year.

According to Debra Gary, the school’s principal, the program started exclusively with fifth-graders before including fourth-graders this year. Pioneer is looking to add third-graders to the mix next school year.

Gary wasn’t sure how the program would be received two years ago, but she pleasantly has been surprised. Parents have taken the time to share the children’s rewards with school staff and Kiwanians.

“It’s been extremely well received by the students, parents and teachers, too,” Gary said. “The kids feel very honored. It makes them feel special … they realize that hard work will be rewarded.

“The kids know that somebody’s watching, somebody cares from outside the school,” Gary added. “They know they are shooting to bring up their grades and be recognized.

“It is very concrete. It is something they can put their hands on and something they can shoot for. … It’s meeting a goal. It’s very positive.”

More information about the program can be found at www.kkids.org/bug.