Under the guiding principles of our districtwide initiative, the
Positivity Project, the #PositivityInAction mindset is our top priority. These past two weeks we focused on the character strengths of
SELF CONTROL and
OPTIMISM.
People with the character strength of self control have the ability to control their emotions and behaviors. They think before they act.
Winning sometimes means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else. In our Kennedy Middle School Staff versus Students Volleyball game, the players went all in for the win.
They used strategies like trying to focus on one goal at a time, planning for situations that might break their resolve, and avoiding temptation. For example, it can be easy to lack persistence when you are down a set. It can also be difficult to wait patiently for an opportunity to spike at the right time. But, the ability to stop and think before making a choice is important.
After every point, regardless of which team scored, there was a team signal, huddle, or hug of support and a smile that followed. They shared the same desire to win, using cooperation and encouragement, which created positive synergy.
In the end the staff won 2 games to 1.
People with the character strength of optimism expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.
Kindergartener Landon Laughton exhibits optimism in Ms. Smith's MICI class at Violet Elementary while having the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States: Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual disability, and characteristic facial features.
"Down syndrome doesn't hold Landon back, it amplifies what he is good at," said Patrick Laughton, Landon's dad. Ms. Smith, along with paraprofessionals Ms. Anna and Ms. Kelly, describe Landon as very intelligent, proudly sharing that he knows both his upper and lower case letters, can solve puzzles and matching with ease, and is great with following procedures. These are just a few examples of his strengths.
This 6-year-old is described by both his teachers, who coincidently are Lake Shore graduates from '21, '09, and '83, and peers from every grade level as "sweet, loveable, and always happy." As he enters the classroom, he chooses to hug as his morning greeting. He is the definition of love and illustrates this adjective with an affectionate smile. His peers gravitate to him with high-fives, fist pumps, and playground playdate invitations because his positivity is infectious. He smiles because he is joy. He gets along with everyone because the more friends, the better. He is kind because...why not? He has this zest for life that is different because he is that person who brings happiness into the lives of others. "His disability does not define him, rather it is what makes him unique," Patrick added.
Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you. On average, children laugh 400 times a day, while adults laugh about 15 times. The implication is that somehow people become too serious and lose the ability to laugh while growing up. But not Landon.
We encourage our Shorian Nation to find your own Landon and never let him go. Better yet, be a Landon for others.
Looking forward, our upcoming character strengths are PRUDENCE (1/2-1/8) and PERSEVERANCE (1/16-1/22).
