Dear Bacich Families,

As we enter into the winter holiday season it is important for us to find ways to think of others. For the past many years, our fourth grade team has participated in a holiday gift drive for local youth in foster care. Each fourth grade class solicits parent volunteers to purchase holiday gifts for several children in foster care. Gifts include books, toys, clothing, and gift cards. Bacich staff also have the opportunity to participate in this gift drive and purchase gifts. I would like to acknowledge the time and effort our fourth grade teachers (Victoria Denson, Marjorie Bukowski, Katelyn Mamizuka, Hayley Moore, and Adrienne Brown) dedicate to organizing this community service project. And thank you to our parents and staff who support this project with your donations of gifts for the youth in foster care.

Each fourth grade class has a “wrapping party” to wrap the donated gifts. Our Bacich students enjoy wrapping presents and making holiday cards for children they do not know. I appreciate that the fourth grade class winter party is all about doing something kind for others.

I have been thinking about how this community service project ties in with our Character Counts curriculum. Character Counts is a social emotional learning curriculum that teaches six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Teaching these pillars of character help to build a positive school environment and a culture of kindness.

This month we are focused on the character pillar of caring, which we will highlight during our assembly this week. This pillar includes being kind and compassionate. The Character Counts curriculum also teaches students that being able to forgive others is part of caring. Taking the time to focus on this important curriculum is essential to build a positive school environment.