ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Elementary is using a weekly classroom activity called “Feel Good Friday” to help students practice kindness, boost confidence and spread compassion while building a positive learning environment.
Each Friday, third-grade students write positive affirmations for classmates and pass along the notes in class.
“This Feel Good Friday activity really sets our students up for success from the moment they walk in the door,” said Altamonte Springs Elementary principal Leslie Watson, who has spent 26 years educating students and serving as a school administrator in the Seminole County Public School District.
“This type of support is introducing our students to daily affirmations, whether it be from peers, parents, teachers, or anyone on staff, and that’s so important in self-regulation to be able to stop and reflect on the good things going on in life. It really sets them up to be able to accept and receive the academic instruction, Watson continued.
Teacher Deenah Beauvoir said she assigns students random numbers based on who is present that day, and each student writes something kind to the young colleague they are assigned.
“I believe that children deserve to feel good. They deserve to feel loved. You never know what a child is going through at home, and this activity builds stamina and makes kids get to a point where they love to come to school. They’re excited to learn, connect with other kids and connect with their teachers,” Beauvoir said.
The notes include messages such as, “you are smart,” “you are amazing” and other compliments.
Students said the activity makes them feel more engaged and happy to be at school.
“It makes me feel more excited,” said Dashon Jackson, a third-grader at Altamonte Elementary.
Zelena Luna, another third-grader, said the activity matters, “because you can spread out your kindness to other people.”
Altamonte Elementary school counselor ReJeana Marigna said the effort helps students learn skills they will need later in life beyond the boundaries of their school campus.
“How to treat each other, how to problem solve, and how to get along, because in the real world, when they grow up, they have to do the same thing when they get jobs. So, this aligns with what our guidance department does in teaching children important life skills,” Marigna said.
Watson emphasized that schools have a role in teaching both academics and citizenship.
“Schools are a microcosm of society. So, we really are in the business of building good learners and good citizens,” Watson said.
Third-graders also emphasized how much they enjoy reading the notes they receive from classmates.
“You are nice. You have a nice shirt,” Jackson, who is 8 years old, read from one note.
“You’re really funny,” 9-year-old Luna shared from her Feel Good Friday message.
Dewayne Eli said one note told him, “I have the best laugh.”
Reagan Casella said she wrote that a classmate “is nice and he is funny.” The 8-year-old also added that she enjoys the activity so much that she believes other schools should follow their lead.
“All other schools around the world should do this,” Casella said.
At the end of the day, students take the slips home so their parents can see them.
“I’ve had parents who have thanked me for teaching their children to be kind to one another and so many lessons that they sometimes struggle to work on at home with them,” Beauvoir said.
She added that over the past year, parents have said their children are also showing more gratitude at home and being especially nice to family members.
