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The CHALKBOARD
Northwest Rankin
Elementary
NWRE is “shining bright” and sharing kindness.
Recently, our entire school immersed itself in a thematic unit
of kindness. By learning to walk in another’s shoes through
read alouds, videos, and hands-on-activities, our Cougars have
discovered what it is like for those who must think outside of
the box to create their own practical skills for living.
We kicked off the spring semester with Kindness Week,
where 2nd through 5th graders began a read aloud adventure
through the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, while our pre-k
through 1st graders studied We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio.
As all twenty-six classroom teachers read, we learned that life
is not perfect. We should always choose kindness because we
never know what someone is going through.
In February and March, NWRE continued their journey of
empathy as we embarked on a One Book-One School read
aloud for Read Across America. Aven Green, Music Machine
by Dusti Bowling shares the struggles of an eight-year-old girl
who was born without arms. We followed Aven as she paved
her own way through everyday experiences that many of us
would find easy to accomplish in our own lives.
On March 21st, we partnered with the Central Mississippi
Down Syndrome Society for World Down Syndrome Day.
Each class read You are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by
Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez, which taught our students
that being unique is what makes us all special! Our goal is for
everyone to feel valued and included!
A tremendous take-away from these social/emotional
lessons this semester is that we are all limitless. If we try
our best and do not give up, you never know what can be
accomplished. We encourage our students to always lead
with their hearts and choose kindness. Shine bright, NWRE!
“When you let your light shine, you brighten the world.”
-Margaret O’Hair
78 • APRIL 2024