Having a Moment

Life is full of moments. There are defining moments that are grandiose, public and full of inspiration. Some moments are equally defining, but more subtle in that they offer glimpses of our personal character. Other moments are simpler….like that first cup (or two) of Starbucks in the morning! Finally, there are those “aha” moments like witnessing somebody you care about do something courageous or observing a student that you work with as she grasps a complex concept for the first time. Schools are ripe with these moments and it’s important to celebrate them in all their forms.

I’d like to share a moment we recently experienced at school in the hopes that you’ll celebrate with our students. This past month families responded to a Citizenship Challenge communicated through the Thursday Folder. We received several summer citizenship project proposals complete with detailed budgets and information about how students might impact their community through acts service. The PTA is even supporting the Citizenship Challenge and made a donation that will directly flow into the projects. I’d like to share four of the proposals that we featured last week at our Character Assembly:

Summer Citizenship Challenge Winners:

1. One student will be working to meet the needs of veterans in our state. In her project proposal she mentioned seeing a man with a sign that read, “Veteran Needs a Little Help.” With the support of her parents, this student is seizing an opportunity and is going to begin helping others have more positive moments.

2. Another student will be planting a tree near our school to add shade and beauty to the community.

3. One student will be pulling weeds from a local cemetery because he wants the visitors to be happy. He shared that this would also help him to “have a happy heart.”

4. Lastly, a local student group is planning to create a garden and then donate much of the produce to a local food shelf.

All of these project proposals were put into motion by students that saw a need and wanted to serve others. The critical ingredients and catalysts for our “moment makers” are the adults in their lives that put them in a position to make a difference.

Please join me in celebrating these student moments. I look forward to hearing about the results of the Citizenship Challenge as the summer progresses!

Originally Posted June 5, 2012
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