Are you familiar with SOAR Day? Overlook Middle School SOAR Day is held on the last day of school every year, and it recognizes and rewards good behavior throughout the year. Four of my 6 kids went through Overlook, some better behaved than others. My earliest recollection of the Caught Being Good cards isn’t of my kids at all, but a boy named John Tully who’s got to be about 40 by now. That kid was all about cleaning tables after lunch, or anything he could do to accumulate Caught Being Good cards. Why? 8th grade John Tully would probably tell you – it’s all about the prizes. I just love that it’s all about recognizing a positive attitude and good citizenship when you think no one else is looking.
My hope, and reason for putting this story together, is that you’ll think on (and act on) donating prizes for SOAR Day 2025. I asked a few people familiar with middle schoolers what they might like for prizes and was given these ideas: Barnes & Noble, Target, Subway/Dunkin’ and Dollar Store gift cards, candy, nail polish and face masks and sports items. I’ll be putting some of those together and encourage you to do the same. Contact info for prize donations is below.
**I was not able to get a photo of a past SOAR Day, so I reached back in to the family archives and found this photo of Shenk3, Max, from his days at Overlook Middle School. If you’re local and curious, these kids are now 36 years old! (Left to right: Mitchell White, Nathan Morand, Maxwell Shenk, Craig Rufiange, Michael Oksanish and Chris Cormier)
“SOAR stands for Students/Staff Over Achievement Recognition. This valued program has been a part of Overlook Middle School since the building opened in 1995.
Throughout the school year, students are recognized for demonstrating responsibility, kindness, and respect through the Caught Being Good initiative. Any staff member—whether an administrator, teacher, paraeducator, custodian, or school resource officer—can acknowledge a student’s positive behavior with a Caught Being Good card. Each card includes a personalized note on the back detailing the student’s commendable actions.
Every Friday, one card from each team is drawn and read during morning announcements. A SOAR team member oversees the weekly drawings. To further motivate students, we strive to offer appealing weekly prizes. According to feedback from students through surveys conducted by SOAR and Student Council, some favorite incentives include Eagle plushies (the Overlook mascot is an eagle), stress balls, and experience-based rewards such as early dismissal from morning holding areas to put bags away, first access to the lunch line for their table or leaving the last class two minutes early to pack up.
We continuously seek new, engaging rewards to keep the program exciting and meaningful.
The culmination of our efforts is SOAR Day, which is held on the last day of school–this year on Monday, June 16. Students participate in two activities, each lasting 45 minutes, followed by time in their homeroom to view a year-end video montage created by SOAR and to sign yearbooks. In addition, an ice cream truck—sponsored by various school programs—will be available for both students and staff.
The day concludes with a school-wide Caught Being Good drawing in the gymnasium. All cards not previously drawn during the weekly raffles are eligible, and winners are selected by staff with the entire student body present. SOAR Day is a cherished tradition that celebrates students who consistently demonstrate a positive attitude, strong character, and admirable work ethic.
The SOAR program is proudly run by a dedicated team of volunteer staff members, which may vary from year to year. This year’s SOAR advisors are Colleen Moran, Gayane Seppelin, Caitlin Grady, Chrissy Stanton, and Julia LeBlanc.
How You Can Help
To ensure SOAR Day is a memorable and meaningful celebration, we are seeking donations of student-appropriate prizes, such as:
- Gift cards
- Small Bluetooth speakers
- Plush toys
- Other fun and age-appropriate items
This year, SOAR has already purchased specially designed SOAR Day t-shirts (10 per team) and is actively collecting donations. We are grateful to the PTO for their generous contribution of a dozen gift cards.
“As a proud Overlook alum and staff member for the past 11 years, SOAR Day holds a special place in my heart. It’s an opportunity to publicly celebrate the students who truly embody the best of Overlook.” –Colleen Moran
If you are able to donate, please send items to:
Overlook Middle School
Attn: Colleen Moran
10 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430
Deadline for donations: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Contact Colleen Moran with any questions or if you need additional information. cmoran@awrsd.org.” –SUBMITTED CONTENT
