If you had a chance to see the new tree that was up for a few weeks this fall in our cafeteria, you might have noticed that it was uniquely decorated with hand-written tags.
Sabrina Denton, a new fourth grade teacher, brought the Gratitude Tree idea to MCS, noting the positive impact the project had in her previous districts. The concept was simple: every K-6 student and staff member received a plain white tag in early November and either wrote or drew something that they were grateful for.
Students’ responses ranged from their toys and Xbox to food, family, a stable home and winter clothes. Younger students often drew pictures, and staff also completed tags. Everyone put their names on their tags.
“There was the part about thinking about what they were grateful for, but this also showed them that we, as a whole school, as a community, are so collectively blessed,” Ms. Denton said. “I’m always amazed at how much the younger students really reflect on this idea.”
Fellow 4th grade teacher Melissa Ruane advises the Elementary Student Council, and those students had the opportunity to take a leadership role in the project by counting and delivering the tags to each class.
The tree remained up in the cafeteria for three weeks, and Ms. Denton said she often saw students reading the tags and looking for new ones.
Ms. Denton will take those tags and save them in a clear jar, so that year after year, students and staff can revisit them.
“In a few years, we’ll have hundreds of blessings as a community,” she said.
The Gratitude Tree is just one part of a broader kindness initiative growing in the elementary wing.
Ms. Denton and Ms. Ruane are part a group of elementary teachers who are piloting the Positivity Project, a nationwide initiative focused on building positive character traits and healthy relationships. Throughout the year, students learn about 24 main concepts, such as open-mindedness, love of learning, perseverance and teamwork, and work to put those concepts into action.
Earlier this fall, during a lesson on Kindness, fourth graders created a Positive Affirmations board full of Post-it notes with positive messages and images. The board, located in the high-traffic hallway that leads to the playground, tells students to “Spread Kindness: Take what you need and feel free to leave one.”
“We do see students taking notes for themselves, giving them to each other, sometimes just reading the board,” Ms. Denton said. “Sometimes that one little message is all you need to keep going.”
And the kindness practice is happening everywhere. First graders in Mrs. Hamilton's class recently made Acts of Kindness notes, writing and drawing nice things they saw others do and sharing how they feel when others are kind to them.