Considering Belonging
School Assembly Features Book, Conversation and Discussion
Three cheers for a group of Increase Miller Elementary fifth graders! They stood before the entire third, fourth and fifth grade and shared information about prominent people of Hispanic heritage at the school’s first assembly of the year!
The theme of the assembly was belonging, and learning about baseball great Roberto Clemente, painter Frida Kahlo and electrical engineer Katya Echazarreta was only part of the program.
Assistant Principal Dr. Michael Weschler led a conversation about what belonging feels like. He and Principal Kerry Ford shared the book “A Kids Book About Belonging” by Kevin Carroll. “This wonderful book was recommended to me by an Increase Miller parent,” said Ford.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrates Belonging
Belonging Starts Inside of Us
What Belonging Feels Like
“We’ve been talking a lot about belonging, but what exactly is it?” Dr. Weschler asked the students. “What does it feel like?”
The students came up with the words fitting in, feeling included and being part of something. The book helped them find other adjectives including safe and supported.
A new thought on belonging was also found in the book: “Remember, you must belong to yourself first,” wrote the author. “Belonging starts with you.”
The students considered the idea that belonging starts inside each of them. They shared back what they learned: we need to love, accept, like, appreciate and support ourselves. “No faking or pretending.”