For more than 30 years, Potter Elementary has celebrated a new student in every class every week.

The “Star of the Week” program started as a merit-based program to recognize students, but over the years, it has evolved to include every student and even faculty, said Principal Heidi Silva Brooks.

“It was a way to celebrate each child,” said Brooks. Each classroom chooses a student weekly — based on variables such as birthdays (or half-birthdays) or behavior — to be the Star of the Week and is allotted privileges — such as being the line leader or having a special seat.

“People have an inherent need to be celebrated, especially children. They’re are so ego-centric. They love talking about themselves,” said Brooks, explaining that the program is an easy way for kids to get to know each other. Last year, staff were also incorporated into the fun. They decorate a poster with their likes and dislikes just like the kids do, and hang it in the main hallway.

“It’s a lot of fun for us to read what’s their favorite food, what do they read…. It’s fun for us to see the grown-ups do this as well,” said Brooks.

Third grade teacher Lorrie Murphy, however, has taken the program one step further. Privileges for her students include having a special rug under the Star’s desk and inviting guests to class, but Murphy has also connected with the Dartmouth Police to let Star students carry a badge and be featured on the department’s social media site.

“[Students] love seeing themselves on the Facebook page, and I've gotten a great response from the community,” said Murphy via email, explaining that she gets parents’ written consent beforehand. “[Students] love sharing about their lives, and the fact that the police department cares to share about them has made them feel even more important.”

Murphy has made one small modification to the Star of the Week program. Her classroom has a nautical theme — classroom jobs like collecting papers and erasing the boards are called all hands on deck — and a sign on the classroom door says "We've jumped ship. We'll be back soon" to announce when kids have relocated to physical education, music, or lunch. Therefore, Murphy found it fitting to rename her Stars as Captains of the Week.

“This is a great treat for the children to be able to have a week that makes them feel ‘extra special’ in a classroom full of students,” said Murphy. “It promotes classroom community and school community because all of a sudden, they know the likes and dislikes of their friends.”

“It’s kind of a neat offshoot of Star for the Week program,” said Brooks.