Creating a culture of kindness at Love Creek Elementary
Before the new Love Creek Elementary welcomed its first students in September 2017, Principal Patricia Mumford knew she had a stellar team in place.
“We drew teachers from all four elementary schools, and filled in any open positions with new teachers, for a completely new staff. Our goal was to create a culture,” she said.
Drawing on the school’s design, which incorporates earth tones, natural light and wood features, Mumford turned to nature for inspiration. As a gift for each staff member, she had a Mother Teresa quote inscribed on a smooth stone: “I can cast a stone that creates many ripples.”
“For the first month, we talked about creating ripples every day,” she said. “What kind are we going to create?”
Turns out, they were ready to make waves. Mumford had cast the stone that created a culture of kindness.
“The staff, PTO and students all came to me with ideas. So many people wanted to do things, we had to break it up into monthly items,” she said.
In October and November, students collected 800 pounds of Halloween candy, toothbrushes and toothpaste and shipped the treats to military service men and women. In December, students donated toys to children spending their holiday at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. Also that month, children wrote notes of encouragement that were included with 200 warm blankets given to local homeless shelters. In January, students raised more than $15,000 by jumping rope for the American Heart Association. In February, they raised $1,000 for cancer patients by buying candy grams for friends and teachers. In March, they “rocked their socks,” purchasing more than 750 mismatched socks at $1 a pair to support World Down Syndrome Day.
In April, they’re wearing blue to support Autism Awareness and collecting money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Students are also involved with promoting the monthly kindness projects through persuasive and opinion writing assignments, and projects aligned with school curriculum.
“For Pennies for Patients, we’re collecting coins and bills for blood cancer patients, so we created videos to show how the money helps the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” said fourth-grader Max Selders.
“Our school goal is to raise $6,000. That’s $1,000 per grade, $250 per class and $10 for each student,” Layla Webster added.
“You can go to www.studentseries.org, click on ‘find your school’ and start typing in ‘Love Creek,’ and you can donate online, too,” Noah Lewis explained.
The ripples extend to each classroom. When students in Jesse Johnson’s second-grade class were asked how they treat friends with autism, arms clad in blue shot into the air.
“Be patient!”
“Be understanding. Help them.”
“They enjoy doing what we do, so treat them the same because they’re kids, too.”
Students receive positive behavior referrals that are mailed home to parents and read during morning announcements. Teachers recognize co-workers with “Creek Kindness” certificates. The names of teachers receiving certificates are placed into a box for a monthly drawing to receive a J.D. Shuckers gift card donated by the restaurant.
Mumford says community and parent support has been tremendous.
“I have to say, it astounds me how well the kids get along with each other. It just shows, even if you’re young, you can do good in the world,” she said.
