Building a Culture Where Students Feel Connected, Safe, and Well

This article was written by Katie Berger, TSA Administrator at Vista Grande Elementary School, a K–5 school in Danville, California, serving roughly 540 students as part of San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Vista Grande implemented The Positivity Project during the 2025–2026 school year as one part of a schoolwide effort to strengthen climate, belonging, and student wellbeing — work that also included increased administrator presence at recess, clearer and more consistent schoolwide expectations, guided recess play and intramural sports, and expanded student and family engagement. The outcomes described here come from the school’s own first-year implementation and its 2026 California Healthy Kids Survey results, which measure student-reported safety, connectedness, and overall wellness.

At Vista Grande Elementary, creating a school where students feel safe, connected, and supported is central to our work. During the 2025–2026 school year, we strengthened that commitment by implementing The Positivity Project (P2) as part of a broader schoolwide focus on student wellbeing and belonging.

Choosing a Character Education Program Teachers Would Actually Use

We were looking for a character education program that was easy for teachers to implement, meaningful for students, and consistent across grade levels. P2 was a great fit. Staff appreciated the short, 15-minute lessons and the focus on 24 character strengths, which gave our school a shared language for talking about character, relationships, and how we treat one another.

How P2 Fits Into Our Broader School-Climate Work

Second Graders exploring Curiosity through Nature Wonder Drawings

P2 also complemented our broader school-climate efforts. Along with P2, we increased administrator presence at recess,  created greater clarity and consistency around schoolwide expectations and procedures, implemented guided recess play and intramural sports, as well as refined opportunities for student and family engagement.  

What Our Teachers Are Saying

Teacher feedback about P2 has been positive. Staff have found the lessons user-friendly, relevant to students, and easy to incorporate into the school day. Just as importantly, P2 provides opportunities to carry conversations about character strengths and positive relationships beyond the lesson and into everyday interactions. 

Our 2026 California Healthy Kids Survey Results

At the end of our first year implementing P2, our 2026 California Healthy Kids Survey results gave us a great deal to celebrate: 

• 97% of students reported feeling safe at school
• 91% reported feeling connected to our school—a 9 percentage-point increase from the previous year
• 92% reported that they do not experience frequent sadness
• 86% expressed overall wellness

Why the Growth in Student Connectedness Matters Most

We are especially proud of the growth in student connectedness. That 9-point increase is more than a number—it is an encouraging reflection of the intentional work happening across our campus to help students feel that they belong, build positive relationships, and know they are a valued part of the Vista Grande community. 

P2 has become an important part of that work. As we continue to build on our school-climate efforts, we are excited to deepen our implementation and continue creating a community where every student feels safe, connected, supported, and ready to thrive.

Wondering how you could build a stronger sense of belonging at your school?

Vista Grande’s 9-point jump in student connectedness came from intentional, everyday work — and a shared language for talking about character and relationships. The Positivity Project gives your teachers ready-to-use 15-minute lessons on the 24 character strengths that help students build positive relationships and understand that Other People Matter. Sign up for free lessons and start creating a school where every student knows they belong.