When kids get ready to head out the door for school each day they need to remember to grab their coat, their book bag and a great attitude.

That positive attitude can make a big difference in the success of a child; just ask the kids at Hawthorne Elementary in Elkhart. They recently won a $1,000 "One School at a Time" grant from Martin's Super Markets.

The money will help fund the self-esteem program at Hawthorne.

NewsCenter 16’s Tricia Sloma got a chance to see the program at work and the positive spirit that's alive and well at this Elkhart School.

“The teachers always tell you that you should do your best in school," said fifth grader Lilly Aguilera.

“We win a lot of championships and we play hard in basketball and things. We love it here.” said fifth grader Iyan Jennings.

Principal Bruce Klonowski has been in education for 42 years. Twenty-four of those years have been spent as principal at Hawthorne, an urban school with its share of hardships.

“We have 97-percent, or just over 97-percent, on free or reduced lunch,” said Klonowski.

Hawthorne is Elkhart's highest poverty school, a label they do not dwell on. In fact, Mr. K, as he is known, pushes each child to strive for something more.

“So if they come with that open mind. Listen to that teacher and work hard every day, they know there's something better for them,” said Klonowski.

To help promote positive thinking he started a self-esteem program.

“This is a way for boys and girls to make a difference by earning a student of the month t-shirt or earning an Indian award, so that they can become somebody special,” said Klonowski.

The grant money will come in handy to pay for the special recognition.

“T-shirts, pencils, and certificates. You put that together and we give out these awards. Five in each classroom and that adds up. It takes some money to have this program. That's why this award is very, very special to Hawthorne. Because its going to help us keep going.”

Mr. K knows it's working, because it's evident in the test scores.

“We've had some nice gains in the past and we just hope that that can happen again,” he said.

Another way that Klonowski inspires his students every year is with a trip to Purdue. On one trip even he bumped into a former student.

“She said, ‘Mr. K, you have got to recognize me. You brought me down to, I think it was, the Michigan State game in the 6th grade. This place influenced me so much. This is why I'm at Purdue University.’”

To Mr. K each student matters and each student can be a winner.

“We always talk about attitude plus effort equals success. If you give it 110-percent, with the effort you're in good shape,” he said.

There are 560 students at Hawthorne and Mr. K says all the kids have a shot at making student of the month.

You can still apply to the One School at a Time grant program. It is sponsored by Martin's Super Market.

The winning schools get a check for $1,000 and there will be a new winner each month.

Schools only need to apply once, and you can do so by visiting MichianaSchools.com.