Feelhaver Elementary has Certified Kind Classroom

January 15, 2019, Fort Dodge, IA-  A boy named Auggie is inspiring third grade students in Madyson Alstott’s classroom at Feelhaver Elementary to complete acts of kindness.

Auggie, the main character in the book “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio, is a boy whose severe facial disfiguration has prevented him from attending mainstream school prior to fifth grade. Multiple voices tell the story that portrays a community as it struggles with differences.

“We are reading the book as a whole class,” said Allstott.  “The students are learning about compassion, acceptance, friendship and kindness. These are lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

While reading the book the class decided to participate in the 2018-2019 Certified Kind Classroom Challenge. The challenge promotes, recognizes and celebrates acts of kindness. For each kind deed, the students add a bead to a jar. The students were excited to share examples of the kind acts they have been doing.

“We help each out fill up our water bottles or let our friends borrow pencils and materials,” Makayla Liska said.

Ellsie Cole stated, “We help clean up the classroom and pick up supplies so Ms. Alstott doesn’t have to do it by herself.”

Lavin Crouse added, “We invite other kids to play with us if they are alone at recess.”

The class was one of the first 500 classes in the country to fill their jar and be recognized as a Certified Kind Classroom.

“They (Penguin Random House) sent us a banner to hang up in our classroom,” said Peyton Nguyen. “It tells everyone that we are a kind classroom.”

“The students love to share the acts of kindness at the end of each day,” said Alstott.  “They are so proud of their efforts and I am proud of them for learning and showing kindness and compassion to each other every day.”

The mission of the Fort Dodge Community School District is to provide quality learning experiences and build relationships that develop productive citizens ready for their futures. For more information about the Fort Dodge Community Schools visit www.fdschools.org or call 515.576.1161.  Our Schools. Our Community. Our Pride.

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