Shaping Culture with P2 Spirit Week at Alta Sierra Intermediate

This article was written by Alyssa Albee, a seventh-year teacher at Alta Sierra Intermediate in Clovis, California. Alyssa also serves as the school’s P2 Coordinator and Clovis Support Intervention (CSI) Coordinator. 

At Alta Sierra Intermediate, the Positivity Project has become an integral part of who we are. Now in our third year of implementation, both students and staff have fully embraced the mission of P2: to empower young people to build strong relationships by recognizing the Other People Mindset.

When P2 was first introduced to Alta Sierra, the goal was simple yet powerful: to help students understand and practice the 24 character strengths that exist in all of us. Over time, that goal has blossomed into a shared mindset that shapes how we interact with one another every day. Teachers intentionally highlight character strengths in their classrooms, students celebrate them in their peers, and families often join the conversation at home.

Today, P2 is more than a program, it’s a cornerstone of our school culture.

Each year, we look forward to celebrating how far we’ve come during our Positivity Project Spirit Week, a fun-filled week designed to make positivity visible and contagious. Held each Spring, Spirit Week is a chance for our campus to come alive with energy, creativity, and connection. It’s a week where students have a chance to put the 24 character strengths into action.

Showing Spirit: Dress-Up Days that Build Enthusiasm

Spirit Week began with a series of themed dress-up days, giving everyone on campus a chance to show school spirit. Each day was carefully chosen to tie into the values of the Positivity Project such as Teamwork, Enthusiasm, Leadership, Perspective, etc.

One of the most memorable days was “Teachers Dress Like Students and Students Dress Like Teachers Day.” The transformation was a sight to see! Teachers traded in their dress shirts for hoodies and sliders, while students arrived in button-up shirts, blazers, and coffee cups in hand. The halls buzzed with laughter as everyone admired each other’s creativity.

Beyond the humor, the dress up days reflected something deeper as it reminded us that positivity can be expressed in many different ways. When teachers and students participate side by side, it breaks down barriers and strengthens relationships. It’s moments like these that make Alta Sierra a place where students feel seen and valued not just for their academic success, but for who they are as people.

Lunchtime Activities that Inspire Kindness

In addition to dress-up days, lunchtime became a hub of positive engagement. Each day offered opportunities for students to practice kindness and engage in fun activities.

One of the most popular activities was “Kindness Clips.” Tables were set up with colorful slips of paper and carabiners, and students were invited to write encouraging messages to others on campus. Notes like “You’ve got this!” and “You make a difference!” soon began appearing clipped to backpacks throughout the school.

By the end of the day, those Kindness Clips had turned into a visible symbol of our P2 community. Students shared how finding a kind message on their backpack made their day. Teachers noticed quieter students joining in, taking the time to lift up their peers with thoughtful words. It was a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Sometimes, a small gesture can create a ripple effect across an entire school.

Creativity in Action: The Positivity Project Poster/Art Competition

Perhaps the most anticipated part of the week was the Positivity Project Poster/Art Competition, an event that blended artistic talent with the character strengths. Students were invited to create an original piece of art inspired by one of the 24 P2 character strengths.

The response was overwhelming! Over 100 entries were submitted, representing a wide range of styles, mediums, and interpretations. Some students created digital art, while others took the time to create theirs by hand using different materials.

Our P2 Student Leadership had the opportunity to vote for their favorite pieces, and the top five winners were awarded gift cards in recognition of their creativity and effort. But beyond prizes, what mattered most was seeing students reflect deeply on what each strength meant.

Teachers were inspired by how meaningfully students connected with the P2 character strengths through art. As one staff member noted, “The art competition gave students a chance to express who they are and what they value in a way that words sometimes can’t.”

Reflecting on Positivity: The Impact of P2 at Alta Sierra

What has made our Spirit Week so memorable wasn’t just the creative outfits, the laughter, or the beautiful artwork, but it was the genuine engagement from students and staff. Every activity reflected the core message of P2: that our relationships and our actions define the kind of community we create together.

Over the past three years, the Positivity Project has become a unifying thread that connects every part of Alta Sierra’s culture. Teachers weave character strengths into their daily lessons and conversations. Counselors and staff reinforce them in social-emotional learning and student support. Students recognize and celebrate strengths not only in themselves, but in their peers.

Spirit Week is a natural extension of that growth. It allows us to pause, reflect, and celebrate how positivity has become embedded in the way we learn, lead, and live.

It’s a visible reminder that P2 is not just a curriculum. It’s a culture.

As we look ahead, our goal is to keep building a community where kindness is a habit, empathy is a strength, and every student understands their power to make a difference.

We believe that when we put the “Other People Matter” mindset into action, we don’t just create a positive school. We also create a legacy of compassion, respect, and hope that extends far beyond the classroom walls.