Strengthening Family and School Partnership at Sunnycrest Elementary
Kelley Schottle is the Principal at Sunnycrest Elementary in the Federal Way, WA, School District. In the summer of 2023, Schottle participated, along with half of her school staff, in the BELONG Partners workshop Rooted Relationships: Growing Equitable Classroom Communities workshop. After taking that workshop, Schottle was interested in other components of the BELONG Partners…
Building a Community of Belonging at Midway Elementary
Collaborative Solutions for Emotional Growth Meet Midway Elementary, a Vibrant and Diverse School Located in the Highline School District, Midway Elementary is a vibrant example of diversity and resilience. The school’s principal, Lyon Terry, leads a team dedicated to educating 570 students from pre-K through 5th grade. Their unique dual language program teaches all students…
The Crisis of Loneliness, and How Schools Help Build Connection and Community
According to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, a lack of social connection can increase the risk for multiple negative health outcomes. And among individuals in the US, there is a troubling trend of severe loneliness. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were concerning levels of isolation among adults living in this country.…
Sound Discipline Working Moms
To celebrate International Women’s History Month and National Working Moms’ Day, we are featuring interviews with some amazing working moms here at Sound Discipline. Our Sound Discipline colleagues shared with us how they’ve attempted to balance working and parenting and also how working at Sound Discipline has impacted them as working moms. Stacy Lappin, Director…
Honor Legacies by Teaching Children to Take Action & Make Contributions
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is deeper than his famous quotes and speeches. This year, we are honoring his legacy through action. King believed that all people should be able to belong and contribute meaningfully within their communities, and that anti-blackness and oppression prohibit community care. In our individualistic world, it’s vital to…
How Family Meetings Can Help Kids Learn to Use Their Voice
Now that the school year is in full swing, we find ourselves settled into the hectic monotony of rushing kids to school, prepping dinner, and getting ready for bed. How do you connect with your kids and give them a voice in the family amidst the daily chaos? Consider trying out family meetings. Family meetings…
Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the Classroom
As educators, we may (often unconsciously) hold on to the power in our classrooms. But we do have the choice to share power with our students. Sharing power and prioritizing student voice strengthens students’ sense of belonging and diffuses power-over dynamics between educators and young people. When we let go of some control, we are…
Focusing on Connection and Belonging this New School Year
We are all feeling a variety of emotions, from anxiety to fear to joy, as we gear up for the start of this new school year. Transitions are always challenging. But we may be feeling it even more given that the last three years were extremely unpredictable for school communities. We invite educators to focus…
7 Ways to Start the New School Year on a Positive Note
September is approaching, and whether this summer was relaxing or stressful (or a combination of both!), it is slowly coming to an end. It’s normal for kids and their parents and caregivers to feel a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and maybe even dread about what the new school year might bring. Here are seven creative…
Developing Firmness Tools for Educators
When we can respond to students in ways that are both connected and firm, both adults and students benefit. But how do we do that? Children need compassion and boundaries, connection and high expectations – at the same time. But many of us did not grow up with this model, or learn it in our…
