KAUKAUNA (NBC 26) — Your average fifth grader might ask for new toys on their birthday, but not Abram Johnosn.
“I wanted to give back to the school that helped me most," he said. "On the day of my birthday, I asked my mom if instead of presents, I could raise money to give to buy and put up the bench.”
Ashley Johnson, the River View Middle School student's mother, was not shocked by his request.
“I was super proud of him," she said. "He's always very generous, but that he connected the two of the school, helping him and he wanted to help the school, the year that he was transitioning out of the school, was very touching.”
And this isn’t just any bench; it's a 'Safe Place.'
“If you're feeling mad, sad or something like that, you can come here to calm down and feel better," said Abram.
The Safe Place comes from Park Community Charter School’s ‘Conscious Discipline’ program.
“It really teaches kids self regulation skills," said Ken Kortens, school principal. "We try to teach that when they're calm, so that when they're upset they can utilize those skills. "It's a lot of breathing techniques and helping them recognize their emotions, and it's been really positive for our school.”
Over the past ten years, teachers have put Safe Places in their classrooms, but until now, there wasn’t a Safe Place on the playground.
“It was a huge pride moment," said Kortens. "Abram and I spent a lot of time together, just kind of getting to know each other and and helping him learn some of those self regulation skills.”
Many of Abram’s peers were a bit confused when he asked them to bring donations, instead of presents, to his birthday party last spring.
“They asked me why," he said. "And I told them, just because.”
This is a gift that will just keep giving, said Kortens.
“I think we'll always think of Abram and his donation and just that moment that he gave back to our school," he said. "And hopefully that encourages others to think about their community.”
As for Abram’s birthday next year, he’s already thinking about how he can give back even more to the school and his community, he said.
