Every year since 2013, Hemet Quest has launched a crusade of belonging as a way to promote a positive culture and eliminate bullying. “I didn’t want ‘anti’ anything,” said Principal Jennifer Martin about why she transformed the message from “anti-bully” to one of “belonging.”
“I wanted to spread a positive message here at Hemet Quest and create an environment where students care, connect and have empathy for others,” added Martin.
Every October, staff, and students engage in campus activities aimed at fostering a community of belonging. Spencer Ullock, a 6th grade ACE for Julie Johnstone, spoke to students about the impacts of peer pressure–both positive and negative. He spent one lesson allowing students to share moments when they have either felt left out or included.
“They did really well when I asked them to recall a situation and in describing it, end the sentence with either ‘what’s the worst that could happen’ or with ‘everybody is doing it,’ based on the context of the situation,” stated Mr. Ullock.
Michelle Ballard, 2nd grade ACE for Karri Whalen, focused on how words impact emotions. “The students expressed words that made them feel good, so we used those words for an art project,” said Ms. Ballard. “I had a sheet of fall leaves where students wrote kind words in bold letters and colored the leaves in pretty, fall colors. The students glued the leaves on construction paper. I explained how a leaf in the fall season can crumble into many pieces and how unkind words are like a fall leaf because they can make feelings crumble into many pieces.”
Ms. Ballard said that the students were very engaged in the project, and after, made a “Be a Buddy, not a Bully” poster.
The students also worked on how to give and receive compliments. Students created and handed out 10 compliment cards to fellow students in their class. They enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces as the students read the compliments.
On October 3, the campus hosted a Fall Festival for families. Each class had a fundraiser booth that ranged from making candied apples to face painting and a cake walk. The successful fundraiser will assist funding transportation for field trips outside of the Hemet area. Families enjoyed themselves so much that everyone wanted to stay and participate a little while longer.
Coming up in the Hemet Quest Mission of Belonging—the annual Thankful Feast. This year, the feast will include local Native American tribes, who will engage the students and staff in bird songs and dancing. The campus will also learn about native culture and history. It is sure to be an incredible event.
At Hemet Quest, you are family, and you belong!
Photo: Fall Festival face painting at Hemet Quest
