HERKIMER — As Herkimer Elementary School students filtered into the cafeteria Wednesday for an assembly, the song “Respect” by Aretha Franklin played on repeat over the speakers; they walked by signs in the hallways and cafeteria advocating respect; and teachers and staff wore gray shirts with “Respect” displayed on them in green letters.

During the assembly, students were recognized for respectful behavior and appreciation was shown for behind-the-scenes heroes, including staff members and a local veteran in honor of Veterans Day.

“I think respect is important because it helps create healthy relationships; it allows for positive communication; it encourages kindness and positivity and it is all encompassed under that one word,” Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt said.

The school has focused on respect with a theme for the whole year of “Give respect, get respect.” The goal for teachers, staff and administrators is to teach respect and model respectful behavior throughout the school year, Vogt said. The assembly itself had a theme of “Heroes Behind the Scenes and Veterans.”

After the previous school year focused on various positive character traits, a group of teachers on the School Improvement Team (SIT) Committee got together and decided to concentrate specifically on respect for this school year, Vogt said. The SIT Committee is made up of a grade level representative from each grade, but all are welcome.

Committee members decided on the respect theme because students need to learn more about respect and how to act respectful, Vogt said.

“It’s our job to do that,” she said.

Fifth grade teacher Rich Schoff hosted the assembly and led students in repeating the elementary school’s theme for the 2022-23 school year. When Schoff said, “Give respect,” the students enthusiastically responded, “Get respect.”

Following a video about Veterans Day, Schoff introduced U.S. Navy veteran Martin Sorensen, of Herkimer, who walked to the front of the assembly with his daughter, Wendy Sorensen-Kovac. Schoff asked all students to stand in respect as Sorensen made his way to the front with a smile on his face, and then the National Anthem was played.

Another segment of the assembly focused on recognizing school staff and how students can treat each of the staff members with respect.

“We have some behind the scenes heroes that make this a great place to be,” Schoff said.