Community Corner
Eriksson Elementary Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlight
Being positive during a pandemic is pretty difficult for most people, but not so much for these students.
Eriksson Elementary Student Lighthouse Team Spreads Positivity
Eriksson Elementary Teachers Julie O’Hara and Samantha Tinsley
Being positive during a pandemic is pretty difficult for most people, but not so much for 4th and 5th grade students on the Student Lighthouse Team at Eriksson Elementary School. These generous and creative students, led by Eriksson teachers/sponsors Julie O’Hara and Samantha Tinsley, are working hard to make living in these difficult times a little bit easier for their classmates and community.
The theme for one of the Team’s early projects this year came from a familiar Facebook group called Rainbows Over Michigan. The group encourages Michiganders to put rainbows in their windows and doors, and on sidewalks with chalk to show support to essential workers as well as spread cheer and happiness to each other. Armed with the idea, the Lighthouse Team created its own group called Eriksson’s Positivity Pond and encouraged the school’s families to create chalk art, rainbow decorations, or post a photo with a smile on Facebook. It was a great way for Eriksson students to stay connected, seeing each other online.
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But these students weren’t done spreading goodwill. The Team felt it needed to reach out directly to health care workers to show support. They brainstormed and determined the best way was to create an encouraging video to show support and gratitude for those who were doing so much for us. Student Lighthouse Team members created personal videos and combined everyone’s contributions into one production that was shared with the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, Karmanos Cancer Institute, and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Afterwards, the students received many personal messages of thanks from health care workers who truly appreciated the effort.
Of course the most important function of the Team is to help the students at Eriksson feel connected to one another and the school community. At the beginning of the year, as students began to navigate virtual learning, the Team created video clips of tips on how to set yourself up for success when learning from home. The Team also coordinated a school-wide Zoom assembly in December, which gave all Eriksson students a chance to see each other and the staff.
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The Eriksson Lighthouse Team’s great work and creative spirits is a great example for all adults to follow as we continue to work our way through this pandemic. And these Eriksson Frogs are urging others to hop on board to help others.
See more great examples of student learning at the Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlight page.
https://www.pccsk12.com/departments/teaching-learning/home-learning-highlights
Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlights are also featured on 88.1 The Park!
This press release was produced by the Plymouth-Canton Schools>. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
