Mechanicstown’s Award Winning Morning Program was designed to promote self-esteem, strengthen communication skills, and establish a sense of group unity.  Each morning, teachers, administrators, instructional leaders, and students assemble to start the day together on a positive note.

During the Morning Program, the philosophy and rules of the school are renewed and evaluated through social activities.  These include dance contests, hula hoop contests, stories, birthday celebrations, question and answer periods on current events, recognition of special achievements, and other activities designed to expose children to a variety of positive values.

The hypothesis of the Morning Program is that the academic process is enhanced by creating an atmosphere of self-worth which is achieved through many modalities.  When children and staff leave the Morning Program, they start the day feeling good about themselves and each other.

This model program has been adopted by many other school districts throughout the United States and Canada.  Also, Mechanicstown’s Morning Program has received the “Model Elementary School Program of Excellence” award from the State Administrators Association of New York State.