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Taft Elementary students learn how to treat others
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Taft Elementary School kindergartners, from left, Brea’on Slocum and Reagan Nevels hold keys designating characteristics they’ve learned about in Project KIND. The program by Community Solutions Association on Thursday presented the last of 12 weekly sessions.
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Curtis Megginson and Sevoi Thornton color together to fill in a piece of the Project KIND quilt. Taft Elementary School kindergartners participated in Project KIND, learning about good behavior and positive character traits. Thursday marked the last day for the program presented by Community Solutions Association of Warren.
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Marie Economos of Community Solutions, Warren, recites the “Cooperation Poem” with kindergarten students at Taft Elementary School, Youngstown. The kindergartners participated in Project KIND through Community Solutions, which is funded by Youngstown schools, the Raymond John Wean Foundation and the Youngstown Foundation. The program, which ran for 12 weeks at the school, focuses on good behavior and positive character traits.
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Five-year-old Leo Griffin-Blount learned that respect means being quiet and not running in the school hallways.
Jackkeem Manigault, 6, learned about getting along with his teacher. That was easy, he said.
“I learned about being nice,” Jackkeem said.
Respect is “being quiet in the hallway, and no running in the hallway,” Leo explained.
The boys are both in kindergarten at Taft Elementary School where Community Solutions Association on Thursday presented the last of 12 weekly sessions of Project KIND. The program is funded by the city schools, the Raymond John Wean Foundation and the Youngstown Foundation.
Through the program, kindergartners learn proper behavior and social skills through what is termed the keys to success: respect, manners, smart choices, getting along with classmates and getting along with their teacher.
Dylan Dee, 5, said respect means being nice.
When Marie Economos, who presented the program to the children, prompted them to express “manner words,” “excuse me,” “thank you,” “sorry” and “goodbye” were some of the responses.
“Are manner words just for school?” Economos queried.
“No, it could be at home,” offered Sevoi Thornton, 6. “It’s listening to the teacher and putting those listening ears on.”
Getting along with others means no punching, no fighting and taking turns, the kindergartners explained.
Economos taught the students poems and songs about the character traits to help them remember them.
The Cooperation Poem reads:
“Getting along with others is easy, you see.
It keeps smiles on faces that belong to you and me. Working together can be lots of fun.
It’s your turn, it’s my turn. We’re getting things done.”