Page 5 - 2019 Feb BPS news

Tropical Elementary Puts a National Spotlight on Kindness
The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class of Tropical Elementary determined that as a class, a school, a community, and a nation, we need to do more to show kindness in our everyday lives, so they set out to create a national symbol of
kindness. On February 7th, the County Board of
Commissioners voted unanimously to recognize Tropical’s kindness symbol as
the official symbol of kindness for
Brevard County.
To build further awareness and support for this service learning project, Tropical’s TKs created a petition to make their kindness symbol the “National Symbol of Kindness.” The petition has been signed by more than 1,700 people from 42 states and six counties.
The TK’s have written numerous letters to family and friends, as well as the President of the United States, U.S. Senators and other public officials, entertainment personalities and the news media, requesting support
for project. Their goal is to secure 100,000 signatures by the end of April. Help them by signing and sharing the petition here. and be sure to check out their recent story in Florida Today!
The Power of Connection: BPS Students Become “Sources of Strength” for One Another
By: Makenzie Moesly, Senior, Satellite High School
Sources of Strength is a program to prevent suicide, bullying, violence, and substance abuse by training peer leaders and trusted adults.
The strength wheel provides eight different sources you can
rely on when times get hard. The wheel contains family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, medical access, and mental health. Each strength means something different to everyone. Sources of Strength believes that we can seek help from friends, family, or others and that when we see others struggling we can help them too.
Peer leaders, teachers, and adults intermixed to learn all about Sources of Strength. During that time, we talked about each source, met new people by taking part in activities, and discussed the different signs to look out for when someone is struggling.
The meeting was a great way to get to know different people
and come together as a whole.
The Sources of Strength message is to involve others and not burden oneself. Break the silence by talking to a
teacher, friend, or family member and connect yourself to one of the sources of strengths.
Sources of Strength’s
mission is “to spread
hope, help, and strength
into every corner of our community.” For more information visit https:/sourcesofstrength.org/.
Sources of Strength is an internationally-recognized program that uses the power of peer-led social networks to positively change norms and cultures. The program is currently available to middle and high schools (an elementary program is in the works). Currently, 11 BPS schools have been trained in the program, with an additional six to be trained by fall.