Fostering Positivity and Gratitude Through the Positivity Project at Discovery Elementary

At Discovery Elementary in Bakersfield, CA, we strive to cultivate not only academic excellence but also a deep sense of character and community among our students. The Positivity Project, a cornerstone of our school culture, has been instrumental in guiding us toward this goal by helping students recognize the importance of positive relationships and the strength of character traits like gratitude, kindness, and bravery.

This year, we took our commitment to gratitude to new heights through a school-wide community service project supporting the Honor Flight Foundation of Kern County. The Honor Flight Foundation provides veterans with the opportunity to visit memorials in Washington, D.C., honoring their service and sacrifices. This project united our students, staff, and families in a shared mission: to give back to those who have given so much for our freedom. This was an addition to our annual Veterans Day Program. This program is a big tradition at Discovery and goes along with our mission to build character and our desire to foster a sense of community and honor others. 

A Goal of Gratitude: Raising Funds for an Honor Flight

Our students set an ambitious goal of raising $1,500 over two weeks—the amount needed to sponsor one veteran’s Honor Flight. By the end of the fundraiser, we had exceeded our goal, raising an incredible $2,140!

What made this effort even more special was our decision to sponsor a member of the Discovery family. The honoree, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who is the grandparent of one of our students, was overwhelmed with gratitude. Seeing the joy and emotion on his face when he learned of this opportunity reminded us all of the impact of our collective efforts. He gave a heartwarming speech to all students at our Veterans Day Program as a thank you and it truly made our donation meaningful. 

Student Council, Mrs. Martinez, and the Honor Flight Kern County Board at the Veterans Breakfast.

Connecting With Our Veterans

The culmination of this project was an invitation for our student council officers to attend the Honor Flight Veterans Breakfast. Here, our students presented the donation check and handed out handwritten thank-you cards to veterans. Watching our young leaders express their heartfelt appreciation to those who served was an unforgettable moment. The experience deepened their understanding of gratitude and service, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Our Donation Honoree, Mr. Burns giving a speech at our Veterans Day Program.

Moving Forward

I am so proud of our Discovery Elementary students and families for embracing this opportunity to honor our brave veterans. This project exemplifies what we strive to achieve every day: a school community that uplifts and inspires, rooted in a foundation of positivity and compassion.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue incorporating meaningful community service projects that teach our students the value of giving back. Together, we will continue to foster a culture where kindness thrives and gratitude shines.

Discovery Elementary Students waving flags during our Veterans Day Program.