Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Students are well versed in showing kindness and respect at Fairfield Elementary School in the Massapequa School District and they are being recognized for their good deeds and model behavior.
After reading “Kindness Snippet Jar” by Diane Alber, students created a snippets of kindness bulletin board to showcase kind deeds at Fairfield. From left are fifth graders Arden Pace, Lily Parente, Lucas Ventura, Julian Rocha and Jake Mauro.
A collegial circle of Fairfield teachers selects a different book each month that focuses on these two virtues. The November book, “Kindness Snippet Jar” by Diane Alber, made a particularly profound impact on the school. There are snippets of kindness bulletin boards throughout the school in which students and teachers can post kind acts by others. Many classrooms also have snippets of kindness jars, which quickly filled up.
Kindergarten, first and second grade students who have been chosen for kindness recognition showcase Fairfield’s respect and kindness pledge.
Assistant Principal Megan Pavlick said that in the 2021-22 school year, Fairfield had a book of the month related to growth mindset. The results were so successful, she said, that the school continued the concept. Each book chosen by the collegial circle, including “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig and “Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller, imparts a lesson about kindness and respect.
A respect and kindness pledge centers a bulletin board in a first floor hallway. Surrounding it are paper paw prints – reflecting the school’s logo – with the names of more than 600 students and staff members showing their commitment to these values.
Superintendent Dr. Brennan was joined by fifth graders, from left, Lucas Grimm, Gretchen Klein, Michael Busby, Johanna Ferrante and Jack Liddiard with their class’ snippets of kindness jar.
Students are also recognized monthly for showing kindness and respect after being nominated by a teacher, staff member or peer. Their names appear on a bulletin board and they also get a mention on the morning announcements. More than 40 students have already been recognized from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Ms. Pavlick added that the goal of the initiative is to teach students that they can make others feel seen and valued through respect and kindness.
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