Posted by Communications staff on 11/28/2021
[Listen to an audio version of this story at spokaneschools.org/listen]
A group of Shadle Park High School students visited third graders at Westview Elementary School last week.
The older students handed out buckets of swag – water bottles, erasers, earbuds – as well as a handmade cookie with each students’ name, shaped like a puzzle piece.
Junior Evie Patel explained to the class.
“OK, so what that puzzle piece means is that between Shadle and Westview, we’re working together like puzzle pieces work together to make a puzzle, right? And it’s the kindness puzzle. So each of you guys is a piece to our kindness puzzle,” she said.
While they’ve been meeting virtually for the past few months – reading books and doing projects centered on kindness – this was everyone’s first time gathering in person.
“They’ve been coming up on Teams and they’ve been reading us stories of how to show ourself respect and other people kindness,” third grader Nyah said. “I think it’s important to be kind because, you just need to treat others how you would like to be treated.”
The partnership began with Shadle teacher Brooke Meyer, who wanted her Leadership students to work on thinking outside of themselves. She partnered with her sister, Tiffiny Santos, who teaches third grade at Westview.
“Westview is eventually going to be at Shadle,” said senior Sydney Tollefson. “We want them to know that Shadle is a kind place and we really care about everyone being included and being involved and everything.”
Their current project involves a kindness passport, which Evie introduced last week.
“So each passport has a variety of acts they can do, whether that’s at home, at school, with buddies, without buddies,” she said. “And then in the end they get a shirt that says ‘Kindness Crew.’”
Senior Emma Summers attended Westview herself and has two nephews in Mrs. Santos’ class.
“I’ve even seen just a difference in their behaviors and they still talk about the first book that we read to them like three months ago,” she said. “And so, I just feel like what we’re doing is really making a difference.”
Third grader Connor said at the start of the year, he was feeling invisible and out of place. The collaboration with Shadle has changed that.
“Yeah, it actually kind of helps me fit in,” he said. “Kindness is really important because if you give kindness to somebody you show an act of love, and then they want to be your friend.”
And after a year of distance learning, Shadle senior Jacob White says this project – these little acts of love – are reminding everyone what community looks like.
“These meetings, the goal is to project an idea of inclusivity so that they can have a connective relationship with each other and that no one gets left out,” he said. “I feel like it’s important to also remind each other in high school to be kind to each other.”
