New programs build bridges between students

A new effort is underway at Voorheesville Elementary School to create a greater sense of community throughout the building.

The elementary school launched several initiatives this year that allow students to share what they are learning in class with one another and get to know students at different grade levels.

The mission to create activities that foster community began last spring when several school staff members formed a steering committee.

"While everything being taught in the classroom is educationally sound, it seemed like we could use a chance for our whole school to come together and learn about what people are doing in other grade levels and other classrooms," said Suzanne Paulson, elementary school counselor. "We wanted to give students a sense of greater community."

The new activities include:
• Bi-monthly "Spirit Assemblies," which are a chance for students to showcase what they are learning in class. Each assembly has a theme (in November students talked about what they are thankful for) and teachers arrange for their classes to present poems, songs or projects. Everyone wears purple and gold to show their school spirit, and each assembly includes a patriotic song, a message from the principal, several presentations and a song related to that month’s theme. The assemblies give students a chance to see what they might have to look forward to in a higher grade level or see family members present in front of the audience. Students also end up feeling accomplished because their work was good enough to show the rest of the school.

• Buddy Classrooms, which are partnerships between older and younger grades. Paulsen said this helps to create relationships among students, which help after school or on the bus to prevent bullying and at the same time foster friendships.

• Kindness Keys, which teachers give to students when he or she goes beyond expectations to be kind to a classmate. This is not a new initiative for this year, but plays an important role in the overall program. Students who receive Kindness Keys are recognized by having their name read on the announcements and their photo placed on a bulletin board for all to see. Each student also receives a book from Mr. Lein, the school principal.

"I would argue that the connections that we make with children, and the community that we foster within our walls are the most important things we do at school,” said Ken Lein, Voorheesville Elementary School principal. "Without an environment that is supportive of all students, the results of the best lessons are too often unrealized."