Gifts of the Heart
“I will help make dinner.”
“I will help clean up my house.”
“I will give someone a homemade treat.”
“I will play with somebody if they are left out.”
“I will help my brother and sister and dog.”
Imagine these good intentions x 300 … even more! That’s what students see as they eat and chat during lunch in Increase Miller Elementary School’s cafeteria.
The beautiful collage is culmination of a school-wide emphasis on kindness. It’s part of Increase Miller Elementary’s social and emotional learning curriculum.
Principal Kerry Ford and Assistant Principal Dr Michael Weschler spoke to the students through Good Morning IMES, the school’s daily show, about how acts of kindness are the most meaningful gifts you can give. Dr. Weschler provided each grade with a guiding question. Teachers dedicated time for students to reflect, write and draw the gift of kindness they could give someone.
Dr. Weschler notes that he has seen students helping friends clean up in the cafeteria and hold doors for others. He’s even seen one student give one of her gloves to another who forgot hers so they could each have one warm hand.
“Kindness: That’s what we’re all about here,” said Dr. Weschler.