A new movement of positivity is spreading through Boquet Valley CSD’s schools, led by students who want to make an impact on their school community.
The High School Positive School Environment Team, or HSPSET, is a 10-member group of students grades 9 through 12 advised by Assistant Principal of Health and Wellness Kelly Zimmerman.
The team seeks to grow the positivity of the culture within our schools, creating a welcoming and warm environment where everyone feels comfortable and like they belong.
Besides making the day more pleasant for everyone, a positive environment has shown to be connected to data like better attendance and better performance in classes.
PSET Week
HSPSET kicked off its work with a whole week of positive activities at Mountain View Campus.
That Monday, the week started with an assembly led by Tom Bull, a motivational speaker who works with schools to strengthen community and inspire connections. Tom led students through several engaging activities that encouraged them to ditch negativity and connect with classmates.
Each day for the rest of the week, different uplifting actions were encouraged. Students were given a chance to write positive messages one day. PSET members invited their classmates to give out two compliments one day, they gave out stickers on other days, and they planned staff spirit nights for sports games that week.
Throughout the week, students were encouraged to write and submit RUTH Cards. RUTH stands for Respect, Understanding, Trust and Honesty. Students were encouraged to keep an eye out for these traits in their classmates. When they saw someone exhibiting one of the traits, they could fill out a card to recognize them for it. Cards were submitted to several central locations, then they were passed out to recipients the following week.
To put a cherry on top of a fun week, PSET members blew bubbles and cheered Friday afternoon as classmates left the building at the end of the school day.
PSET students spread positivity!
Setting an example
HSPSET visited Lake View Campus at the end of February, spreading positivity and smiles to their younger peers.
PSET members visited elementary classes and led them through some of the exercises that Tom Bull had done with older students at the PSET assembly. They had students write down toxic behaviors they had done or experienced in the past, then had them crumple up the paper and throw it out, symbolizing getting rid of negativity.
The older students also participated in the month’s PBIS assembly.
PSET students encouraged their younger counterparts to throw away negativity.
Future plans
HSPSET will continue to spread positivity throughout the district. They are talking about sharing self-affirmation notes on lockers, and other activities that will encourage their peers to smile and be friendly to one another. Mrs. Zimmerman is helping the students come up with ideas and then carry them out.
Look for this group to share a smile with you soon!
The High School Positive School Environment Team:
- Colba Furman, grade 12
- Otis Wekin, grade 12
- Braden Liberi, grade 12
- Amara Brugman, grade 11
- Olive Stewart, grade 10
- Sadie Burgess, grade 10
- Keir Furman, grade 9
- Marguerite Hall, grade 9
- Olivia Hathaway, grade 9
- Lila Kullman, grade 9
PSET students blew bubbles as LVC students left school at the end of the day.
