The Ripple Effect: How Delta Kelly Elementary Built a Culture of Character

This article was written by Robin Cottone, Laura Kirklin, and Kristin Patrona of Delta Kelly Elementary School in Rochester Community Schools, Michigan. Delta Kelly Elementary has been a Positivity Project partner school for eight years, having officially launched P2 in the 2018–2019 school year after a year of staff research, classroom piloting, and community engagement. Today, the program is fully embedded in Delta Kelly’s culture and has expanded across all 13 elementary schools in Rochester Community Schools, shaping how students, staff, and families build relationships, serve their community, and live out the Other People Mindset every day.

When Delta Kelly Elementary began our P2 journey eight years ago, we could not have imagined the strong, connected culture that would grow from it. Like ripples spreading across water, we have seen how even the smallest intentional act can expand into something powerful and far-reaching. Through purposeful language and authentic communication, we have cultivated meaningful relationships and a deep spirit of service learning, guided each day by a shared throughline and driving question: How can we make our school, community, and world a better place?

Discovering The Positivity Project

In 2017, our staff engaged in thoughtful, school-wide discussions about identifying and implementing a social-emotional learning program across the elementary grades. We were seeking one that would help students build strong character skills and foster deeper relationships. Focus groups were formed, including a subcommittee dedicated to researching SEL programs. During this process, a staff member shared positive insights from her sons’ school, Carpenter Elementary in neighboring Lake Orion, which had successfully implemented a school-wide character development initiative called The Positivity Project.

The focus committee requested a visit to Carpenter Elementary to see The Positivity Project in action. After observing both staff and students, the team returned energized and eager to begin using the K–2 and 3–5 lessons in their own classrooms.

Word quickly spread about how simple—yet impactful—the program was across grade levels.

Around that time, the principal and two teachers attended The Positivity Project training in Flint, Michigan. By the end of the year, additional teachers who were not part of the original committee began incorporating the K–2 and 3–5 lessons as well. With growing enthusiasm and momentum, it was decided that Delta Kelly Elementary would fully implement The Positivity Project the following year.

Sparking Excitement with the P2 Scavenger Hunt

A major factor in spreading the P2 enthusiasm throughout Delta Kelly’s community and among staff was the P2 Scavenger Hunt! The P2 coordinators collaborated with a teacher from Carpenter Elementary to adapt the scavenger hunt for staff and community members during the first Professional Development day. The goal was to introduce the 24 character strengths, spark excitement, and foster a sense of community.

Participants were divided into groups and visited 3–4 sites where they explored the character strengths, shared insights on Twitter and Facebook, and reported back to inspire, educate, and engage the broader community. One memorable stop highlighted a parent who demonstrated hope and optimism while recovering from ovarian cancer. The scavenger hunt was a tremendous success, strengthening relationships among staff and community members and generating widespread excitement about The Positivity Project.

The Schoolwide Launch: A Common Language for Character

Delta Kelly officially began implementing The Positivity Project in the 2018–2019 school year. Staff quickly embraced the daily lessons, appreciating how simple yet powerful they were and how they created a common language across all grades. We looked for ways to integrate PBIS with The Positivity Project, using daily class meetings to share the slides and engage in meaningful discussions about character strengths and relationship-building. Building on this momentum, student ambassadors from all grade levels were invited to share their Positivity Project stories with other PTAs and district leadership, further spreading the impact of the program throughout the community. A teacher said,

P2 has made me a better person because it makes me realize the importance of showing these strengths to my students, family, and friends on a daily basis.

To celebrate positive actions, we created P2/PBIS Shout Out cards for teachers and students to write and share during morning announcements. Students love hearing real-life examples of the 24 character strengths in action and take pride in finding ways to keep these strengths “rippling” throughout the school. By focusing on character strengths, we help students articulate how they make the world a better place … through both small and big acts.

Engaging Families in the P2 Culture

Delta Kelly shares the weekly character strength with families through our school newsletter, highlighting ways students are putting it into action. The school has also created P2 shirts for all grades and staff, and parents love seeing P2 Shout Out Cards, that are also read over daily announcements, come home to celebrate their child’s positive actions. Families often share how these character lessons are impacting life at home. Our excitement and success with The Positivity Project has even inspired another school in the district to invite us to present. To maintain consistency between school and home, the weekly character strength is communicated in multiple ways: through our newsletter, which includes direct access to P2 for Families with conversation starters, videos, and activities, posted on X (formerly Twitter) each Monday morning as a quick reminder, and reinforced in classroom newsletters.

Family engagement with P2 begins early each year. During September’s Curriculum Night event, teachers provide an overview of The Positivity Project, which has become more of a formality over time, reflecting how deeply the program is embedded in Delta Kelly’s culture.

Another meaningful opportunity for families to connect is our annual International Day. Students “travel the world” by rotating through classrooms to explore different countries and cultures, guided by volunteer presentations. Additionally, we welcome musician Guy Louis for a school-wide Worlds of Music assembly, offering an interactive celebration of global music and culture for the entire school community.

Service Learning Powered by Character Strengths

In December 2018, kindness was contagious at Delta Kelly, and the energy was electric! Students and staff rallied to support “Dan The Coffee Man”, a local hero who delivers coffee weekly to chemotherapy patients at a nearby hospital. A kindergarten teacher’s mother was one of the recipients of Dan’s weekly acts of kindness while undergoing treatment.

Until then, Dan had been covering the cost of the coffee himself. Inspired to help, Bonnie Jackson (kindergarten teacher) organized a Dollar Drive to support his mission, and Delta Kelly raised over $1,000 to ensure Dan could continue spreading warmth and kindness to patients receiving chemotherapy.

We began exploring ways to connect community service projects with The Positivity Project. While classes and grade levels had previously participated in service activities, P2 offered a new lens that helped students deepen their acts of service while strengthening relationships.

In 2019, students used teamwork to create a Kindness Rock Garden. They decorated rocks with pictures, words, and quotes that reflected the 24 character strengths, sharing them with classmates and even other schools. A Kindness Rock Garden was displayed in the main hallway, allowing students to take or leave a rock to support and encourage others. This tradition continues today in the media center, spreading positivity throughout the school community.

Supporting Student Well-Being with Therapy Dogs and Mindfulness

A cornerstone of Delta Kelly’s culture is supporting others during times of struggle. Over the years, our community has experienced many losses, whether the passing of a parent, a teacher being out on medical leave, or the challenges of being apart during COVID. In January 2020, an idea sparked through the collaboration of a parent and staff member from another Rochester school. Caty Gittner (district staff member and parent) recognized the benefit of having therapy dogs visit schools to support students in need. She partnered with Go Team Therapy Dogs to create a program that allowed dogs to visit classes regularly and provide targeted support when specific needs arose.

This initiative has grown into an eight-year program. Even one of our therapy dog handlers participates in our annual Veterans’ Day Parade, deepening connections and relationships. Caty also donated a miniature Lincoln therapy dog stuffed animal that stays in the office for students when the live therapy dogs are not present. Following Caty’s recent passing, we are working to honor and continue her legacy.

Our building has also partnered with mindfulness experts to support the well-being of our students and staff. These professionals have introduced a variety of practical strategies designed to promote gratitude, focus, emotional regulation, and overall wellness. Through guided sessions, students have learned breathing exercises and simple mindfulness practices that can be used both in the classroom and in daily life.

These techniques help students manage stress, improve concentration, and build resilience when facing challenges. By incorporating mindfulness into our school environment, we are fostering a culture that values self-awareness, calmness, and gratitude.

From One School to a Districtwide Movement

After our third year, we connected with Long Meadow, another Rochester school where teachers were implementing The Positivity Project. Together, we began planning a district-wide rollout across all 13 elementary schools in the Rochester School District. The excitement to spread the P2 fire was high, but then COVID hit. Undeterred, we adapted and launched the program virtually. Today, all 13 elementary schools in the Rochester Community School District use The Positivity Project to empower students to explore their own character strengths and build stronger, more meaningful relationships.

The Other People Mindset

Although there were already pockets of community service throughout the school, Delta Kelly began using teamwork to explore ways to come together as a school community. One focus has been strengthening how we support others during struggles and celebrate each other’s successes. This effort has led to the development of community service projects, including an annual Veterans Day Parade. In our fourth year hosting the parade, we honored over 50 veterans for their bravery in serving the United States.

This day is deeply valued by both students and staff as a way to show respect and gratitude. Over the years, veterans have shared that returning from war and reintegrating into society often meant going unrecognized—until they attended Delta Kelly’s Veterans Day Parade. Hearing more than 650 students and staff sing “We Will Not Forget” after the parade is a heartwarming moment, full of love, care, and appreciation for those who have served.

In 2021, Delta Kelly came together through teamwork to raise funds for inclusive playground equipment. Students recognized that peers with physical limitations were unable to fully access the playground, inspiring the community to take action. Funds were used to purchase an inclusive merry-go-round spinner that all students could enjoy, as well as visual communication boards to help students with cognitive differences communicate more easily with others. The project showcased incredible collaboration, thoughtfulness, and dedication from the entire school community.

Community Service Projects That Give Back

A first grade teacher, Kari Kocher, created and implemented The Freedge Project school-wide to support community members in Rochester facing food insecurity. Each week, one classroom invites families to donate food, which is collected in a wagon outside their classrooms. Kari then delivers the donations to a community fridge and food shelf located outside the Rochester Police Station, where families can access food at any time if they are in need.

In addition, Delta Kelly students participate in a variety of community service projects, including collecting cards for Veterans and local assisted living facilities, creating Valentine’s for Rochester’s Old Persons’ Center Meals on Wheels, and making holiday centerpieces. The school also partners with Neighborhood House to support the annual Thanksgiving basket collection and Holiday Giving Tree, providing additional ways to give back to the community.

Showcasing Character Strengths Through Creativity

Another way we live out the Other People Mindset is by using creativity to share and highlight the 24 character strengths with the school community. We have worked to incorporate visuals in the hallways and make our outreach programs engaging and meaningful for students. In the spring, we host a school-wide P2 display where students and staff showcase their top character strength in creative ways.

One year, for example, each student contributed a flower petal with their top character strength written on it, which was then displayed throughout the hallways. Visitors walking through can see creativity, reflection, and student voice all on display. Three times a year, students identify their top strength, which is proudly added to our hallway “Rooted in Positivity” tree. This is a powerful symbol of growth, reflection, and individuality within our school community … and reminds us to strive for celebrating the good in others.

The Cardboard Creativity Project: Connecting Students with Seniors

Our staff is always seeking continuous growth opportunities. In 2023, we were excited to attend The Positivity Project training at The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. The experience provided an opportunity to collaborate and work alongside other school leaders while learning about new initiatives and strategies implemented through The Positivity Project.

In 2023–24, we focused on blending creativity, teamwork, open-mindedness, and supporting others by partnering with a local senior citizen home. Students interviewed seniors to learn about ways to address loneliness and used their ideas to inspire a school-wide project called The Cardboard Creativity Project.

Students used cardboard and other materials to design projects that would encourage seniors at Waltonwood to leave their rooms and connect with the community. Some created games to help seniors combat loneliness, others designed special mail holders so seniors could share messages and lift each other’s spirits, and some developed prototypes to assist with mobility. Another group even made a joke book for seniors to read and share with one another.

The energy during the project was electric. Parents helped provide materials, students collaborated with buddy classes, and everyone was fully engaged in the creative process. When the senior citizens visited to see the prototypes, they were deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness and innovation of the students’ work.

Empowering Student Voice and Leadership

Our school social worker, along with other specialists, utilizes Tier 2 and Tier 3 P2 resources to provide targeted support for identified students at least once a month. Teachers have also been exploring ways to use Tier 2 resources in small groups to support students who may be struggling. During restorative meetings, staff and students intentionally draw on character strengths to resolve conflicts and reinforce the “Other People Mindset”.

Student leadership is a vibrant and meaningful part of life at Delta Kelly. Our fifth grade safeties model responsibility, teamwork, service, and care for others each day, while buddy classes foster connection and creativity through shared experiences such as the Cardboard Challenge. Delta Kelly Community Kids (DKCK) hosts weekly bagel sales, thoughtfully using the proceeds to support outreach efforts, including donations to a school in Thailand and contributions to the therapy dog program that visits Delta Kelly. In addition, our third through fifth grade Student Council members continually seek ways to strengthen school culture and make Delta Kelly an even better place to learn and grow.

Looking ahead, we are excited to further amplify student voice by having Delta Kelly’s Student Council executive board serve as a The Positivity Project Student Leadership Committee. They will provide input and help plan school-wide initiatives and assemblies that promote positivity, connection, and engagement throughout the school community.

The Ripple Effect Continues

At Delta Kelly Elementary, fostering a positive school culture is a daily commitment, and The Positivity Project plays a central role in bringing that commitment to life. Staff engage in continuous learning, using the Three Slides during monthly meetings to deepen their understanding. Through intentional instruction, high student engagement, and meaningful reflection, students are learning what it truly means to live with an Other People Mindset. Delta Kelly students believe that everyone has value and understand that relationships matter. Can you see the ripple effect growing stronger and reaching even farther?