Creating a Culture of Kindness with the Kindness Crew at Foothills Elementary School

Kindness Crew at Foothills Elementary 
Among the bustling hallways at Foothills Elementary School, a simple but profound lesson is being taught in Mrs. Tycksen’s 3rd grade classroom. She’s showing her students firsthand that words are powerful and kindness can change someone’s day.
Mrs. Tycksen’s students start each morning by walking up to a mirror, looking at themselves, and repeating affirmations such as, “I am important. I matter. I can make a difference.”
This practice not only fosters self-love but also instills a sense of responsibility in students to be kind to themselves and others. Throughout the day she reminds her students of the classroom’s most important rule: “Nice words or no words, especially to yourself.”
Mrs. Tycksen wanted her children to be able to take their kindness out of the classroom and so the Kindness Crew was created. She gifted matching shirts to her students and every Thursday morning they brave the elements and hold up 25 different signs to greet their fellow classmates.
“Some students just smile and others shout out what their posters say, and the welcoming spirit is tangible. My students come in freezing and grinning ear to ear,”  Mrs. Tycksen said.
Throughout the week the class has special meetings to discuss who might need some extra kindness and how they can give that kindness, whether it be with a handwritten note or a helping hand.
It’s a simple idea rooted in love and support. Mrs. Tycksen is inspiring students to embrace kindness whether that be to themselves or others. “They know they are making a difference and I am blessed to be their teacher. We want our Foothills community to know they are loved at school,” Mrs. Tycksen said.

Terra Linda Elementary Student Wins Salt Lake City Stars Art Contest with His Stars Jersey Design

Student with SLC Stars jersey he designedFor one fun night the Salt Lake City Stars were sporting really cool and creative new jerseys and you might be surprised by who designed them. It was a 5th grade student at Terra Linda Elementary School. Adriel Ochoa entered an art contest sponsored by the SLC Stars asking for students to design a jersey for the team, an NBA G league affiliated with the Utah Jazz.

Adriel’s design was selected as the winner and players were excited to wear the newly designed jerseys for one game last month. Adriel said his design represented white for the snow, yellow for the Stars and blue for the Great Salt Lake.

Adriel was invited to the Star’s game to be recognized along with his family, friends, and school principal. In fact, all Terra Linda Elementary students were invited to the basketball game as well as their parents and the community.

To make the evening even more special, six Terra Linda Elementary School teachers were honored at halftime for their incredible contributions to education. Congratulations to:

  • Sarah Southworth
  • Stephanie Owen
  • Gabby Jones
  • Dorrelyn Smith
  • Natalie Newbold
  • Coach-Shelly Lloyd

Thanks to the Utah Stars for supporting students, teachers, and education! Go SLC Stars!

Kindness Week Begins at Jordan Ridge Elementary School with Kind Visit from Kauri Sue Hamilton School Students

It was an experience that students, teachers, staff, and principals will likely remember for a very long time. Students from the Kauri Sue Hamilton School helped to launch Kindness Week at Jordan Ridge Elementary School in a very touching, and meaningful way.

During the kickoff assembly Jordan Ridge students heard from Kauri Sue staff who explained the different ways their students communicate without their voices, how they get around school if they don’t walk, how they eat if they don’t use their mouth, and how they like to do many of the same things that any other kids and teens like to do.

Kauri Sue Principal Courtney Titus said it was a wonderful way to celebrate what makes each of us unique and discovering how we can spread kindness like confetti.

The Kauri Sue visit demonstrated the power of kindness and respect, and why it’s so important to embrace our differences. They asked Jordan Ridge students to fill their Kindness Week with understanding, friendship, and lots of smiles as they welcomed their special guests from Kauri Sue.

Principal Titus said at the end of the day, everyone learned a lot of great things about how we are the same and how we are different. She said students learned that everyone has feelings and everyone wants to be included.

The assembly was a powerful reminder that we all have the courage to be kind, to be a friend, to talk to others and ask questions in a kind and a polite way. It was also a reminder to embrace and celebrate differences together.

Thanks to the Kauri Sue Hamilton School for an amazing Kindness Week kickoff assembly and to Principal Courtney Titus for sharing this story.

Superintendent Receives Big Surprise from Board of Education, Welding and Collision Repair Students

At the Feb. 27 Board Meeting, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey thanked the Board of Education, Blair Jensen and his welding students, along with Nathan Shields and his collision repair students for the new signs for the Board room. The signs included his vision, “Be Curious, Be Intentional, Be United.” The Superintendent said it was a huge surprise to see the amazing work done by welding and collision repair students and the decorations are very much appreciated.

Hope Week Spreads Message of Resilience at South Hills Middle School

It is a week offering hope and inspiration to students at South Hills Middle School. Hope Squad members selected a special theme for their Hope Week this year. The theme is “Hope, Love, Rodeo.” in honor of their kick off assembly’s guest speaker, Amberley Snyder.

Ms. Snyder is a championship barrel racer, who in 2010, was in a car crash that paralyzed her from the waist down. She adapted to the injury and kept competing. Her goals in physical therapy were “Walk, Ride, Rodeo.” Now Amberley Snyder shares her message of faith and determination hoping to open others to the possibilities of happiness, regardless of your life situation. She motivates people to set goals in order to overcome challenges. She told South Hills students that the little moments in her life have shaped her into a successful speaker and a rodeo competitor.

Thanks to members of the South Hills Middle School Hope Squad for their work in lifting students, sharing hope and love during Hope Week and every day.