Building Citizens of Character with The Positivity Project
By Ailsa RehkopfWritten by Ailsa Rehkopf, Principal of Greenbrook Elementary in Danville, CA, this partner school story offers a leader’s perspective on how the school is intentionally implementing The Positivity Project (P2) to build citizens of character. Drawing on her experience leading a school-wide rollout, Rehkopf shares how a shared language of character — grounded in the Other People Mindset and the 24 character strengths — is strengthening relationships, reinforcing positive behaviors, and creating a connected community where students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally.
Greenbrook Elementary is thrilled to announce the official launch of The Positivity Project (P2) across our school community. This initiative is a school-wide movement designed to help our Eagles understand, appreciate, and exemplify the 24 character strengths that exist in all of us.
Core Philosophy: Other People Mindset (OPM)
The central message of The Positivity Project is simple yet profound: Other People Matter. By focusing on this idea, we aim to cultivate an environment where students recognize the value in themselves and others, building stronger relationships and fostering a genuinely positive school culture. The 24 character strengths, ranging from bravery and creativity to kindness and humor, provide a common language for discussing what it means to be a good human being.
P2 in the Classroom: Lessons, Reflection, and Peer Learning
The foundation of The Positivity Project lives in our classrooms. Dedicated Greenbrook teachers deliver structured P2 lessons a minimum three times a week, ensuring the strengths are actively explored and internalized.
Student Journals
Our 5th-grade students personalize their learning through journals, reflecting on how strengths like “Perseverance” or “Gratitude” play out in their daily lives.
Cross-Grade Buddies
The P2 conversation extends school-wide through our cross-grade level “buddies” time. Older and younger students meet regularly to work on joint P2 activities, reinforcing the strengths for the older students and providing powerful role models for the younger ones. This interconnected approach ensures the character strengths are woven into the fabric of daily life.
Building Bridges with Families: Home-School Partnership
We recognize that character development is a crucial partnership. Our recent Parent Education PTA Night successfully dove deep into the P2 philosophy, showcasing student work and engaging activities.
Weekly Resource
To maintain this vital connection, we send home the official Positivity Project Family Connection resource weekly. This invaluable tool provides an overview of the current character strength being studied, suggests discussion questions, and offers activity ideas that empower parents to become character coaches alongside our teachers.
Positivity in Every Corner: Culture and Recognition
The Positivity Project is deeply ingrained in Greenbrook’s culture:
Flag Salute Focus
Our weekly Flag Salute assembly serves as a powerful touchpoint, where we review the current character strength and link it to school announcements, keeping the P2 language front-of-mind for everyone.
SEAL Ambassadors
Our exceptional 5th Grade Ambassadors, known as the SEALs, are trained to be agents of positivity on the playground. They actively observe and acknowledge character strengths like “Self-Control” or “Kindness” in their peers, shifting the focus to spotting and validating positive behavior. This positive peer recognition system is transformative.