P2's Impact on School Climate at Lobbestael Elementary

Back in 2022, a few staff members at Lobbestael Elementary brought up The Positivity Project at one of our staff meetings because we had significant disciplinary issues throughout our school. They explained that this program builds relationships and communities across all grade levels and gives students a vast amount of traits to focus on. Staff members only have to teach a short lesson each day, and everything is readily available on a website. You could hear the moans and groans across the room as teachers thought, “Oh great, one more thing to add into our day.” However, our Principal asked for volunteers to be part of what is now known as “The Color Team,” and we sat down and discussed the pros and cons of this Positivity Project (P2). We decided that we needed a change in our building, and P2 would be a great start, so we were going to give it a try.

We went into classrooms and did some pre-teaching on a few social-emotional topics. The kids and teachers were very receptive and even asked when we were coming back in to do more lessons. After that response, we decided as a staff to become P2 members, and we could not be more proud to be part of such an amazing and effective program.

The teachers, as skeptical as they were in the beginning, look forward to their P2 lessons daily, and so do the students.

The teachers, as skeptical as they were in the beginning, look forward to their P2 lessons daily, and so do the students. Teachers are using P2 at different times of the day but the times they choose are effective for their students. Morning meetings are a popular time to implement the daily lesson for many classrooms. Students are already in a group and ready to listen. They look forward to the videos and books and are eager to share when they are given the chance. Another popular time of implementation is during snack time. This is a time where students are in need of a so-called “brain break” and P2 supports this again with the use of videos or books.

How has P2 changed classroom dynamics and how are students responding to what they are learning? It has created a common language to use across all grade levels when referring to behaviors or actions. Students are more aware of their actions and are able to identify traits such as integrity, curiosity, bravery, and they remember that their actions affect other people. Students are noticing each other implementing these character traits and can also make text-to-self connections across the curriculum. Since implementing P2, we have had at least a 75% decrease in bus violations/write-ups, as well as a 50% decrease in recess and school behavior issues.

Since implementing P2, we have had at least a 75% decrease in bus violations/write-ups, as well as a 50% decrease in recess and school behavior issues.

Why does P2 work well for our school? We are a small school with students from all different backgrounds. P2 gives students the opportunity to become one. They are being taught teamwork and kindness and being mindful of others no matter what their background in life may be. The videos in each lesson are engaging and the students have been seen reenacting the videos. Some of the lessons are very complex so being able to take a few days to get through the entire lesson has been beneficial in many classrooms. Students ask what the P2 lesson is for the day and are excited to participate. Upper elementary students are voting on students who have shown the weekly trait and their votes have been who the teachers have chosen as well. They are truly thinking about the trait!

How has P2 helped meet the needs of your students? It helps students be more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and practice being a good citizen. Many students are starting to feel more valued and heard in class, which allows them to share their thoughts and learn more than they have done before. It gives students a chance to solve problems independently and build positive relationships with classmates they may not have had the opportunity to build relationships with before. It has helped build a more positive classroom community, which enables better management and, in turn, frees up “some” time to help meet student needs.

It has only been four months since we implemented P2 in our school community. In those short four months, we have seen the students grow in their actions, words, positivity, and overall willingness to be part of this great change in the school atmosphere. We are planning a mid-year assembly highlighting the traits we have discussed so far, and we are looking forward to commending those who have shown each strength thus far, we cannot wait to see how the students respond to the traits still to come! Thank you for working so hard to create this beautiful program. The staff, students, and community are very grateful to have the opportunity to use this amazing program to better ourselves!