During the last week of February, students and staff at Hampton Street School celebrated Kindness Week. The main purpose was to reinforce treating others with dignity and respect.To kick off the week, students and staff took part in Pink Shirt Day. They wore pink clothing to symbolize coming together to take a stand against bullying. For the next few days, teachers facilitated lessons and activities focusing on kindness. For example, some classes played freeze tag and when the music stopped, students had to say something kind to the person next to them. In other classes, students took extra time during lessons to compliment their peers on their work and projects. While Kindness Week took place from Feb. 22 to Feb. 26., teachers and staff hope the lessons will stick with their students for weeks and years to come.

 In honor of Presidents’ Day, first graders at Hampton Street School learned about the nation’s leaders who shaped our country. Mrs. Drinkwater’s class researched Abraham Lincoln to learn about his life and contributions to the U.S. through an interactive lesson. Students drew their own portraits of Lincoln as a supplemental activity. They also built log cabins, like the one he was born in, using common materials such as paper and milk cartons.

In celebration of World Read Aloud Day, students at Meadow Drive School and Hampton Street School enjoyed stories together. Each class at Meadow Drive virtually paired up with a class at Hampton Street. The interactive activity allowed students to listen to books being read from another building while staying safe and socially distant. World Read Aloud Day takes place each February and is meant to bring people together through stories. It was created by the nonprofit, LitWorld, in 2010. According to the LitWorld website, World Read Aloud Day has united millions of readers, writers and listeners from across the globe to honor the joy and power of reading.