Students recognized at Washington school

Students at Washington Elementary School, who are Learning about the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Kids, focused during February on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood ? Listen With Your Heart.

Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood means to try to understand the other person?s perspective, to listen ? not just with their ears, but also with their eyes, mind and heart.

Teachers nominated one student, who exemplified Habit 5, from their classrooms for recognition at a recent assembly.

Kindergarten teacher Julie Gleason said Savannah Hollander listens with her heart every day and is sensitive to everyone?s feelings and needs. ?She is willing to lend a hand when needed to her peers or to me. When I am teaching, she ?listens and learns? and thinks about the lesson, and on several occasions she has mentioned that she is going to ?try harder? to help everyone.?

Kindergarten teacher Nicole Spalla said Pablo Fraga truly listens with his heart. ?He is kind, tender-hearted, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of his peers. He relates to lessons about helping others and constantly states that he will  ?be nice? to everyone, which he is! Pablo is truly generous with his heart and is a good friend to all in his kindergarten class.?

First-grade teacher Shawna Applegate said Emily Simpson listens with her heart. ?She is thoughtful and takes the time to notice when others need her in any way.She reaches out to encourage others to make good choices and genuinely cares when they are hurt or in need of help.?

First-grade teacher Jamie Reifsteck  said Maya Dehl listens with her heart. ?She is kind  and complimentary to others. She is a good partner in her first-grade class and gets along with everyone. She always shares kind words with her classmates and makes them smile. She has a great attitude toward others and listens with her heart, eyes and ears.?

Second-grade teacher Shelley Carter said Nicholas Kaska listens with his heart in a variety of ways. ?He is understanding of others? viewpoints and sees the best in his second-grade classmates. He is willing to put the best interests of the group first. Nicholas is kindhearted, trustworthy and a friend to all.?

Second-grade teacher Brianna Thornton said Israel Jimenez is a perfect example of Habit 5. Each morning Israel asks her how she is doing and genuinely wants to know the answer. ?He is very kind to his second-grade classmates as well. He is always willing to step up to help his friends especially if they are hurt or upset. Israel takes the time to be a great friend and listen with his heart.?

Third-grade teacher Mindy Hoskins said Jenny Giles is a great example of Habit 5.  ?She has a kind and gentle heart. Jenny has compassion for her third-grade classmates and is a friend to all. She is careful to treat students and adults with respect and kindness.?

Third-grade teacher Lani Smith said ?a prime candidate of Habit 5 is Ally Strickler. She is always willing to listen to someone?s problem and then help out. She is a great problem solver and a great helper around our third-grade classroom and on the playground. She has even been known to give up her recess to help Miss Smith on duty. She is a great leader in and around our school.?

Fourth-grade teacher Julie Hanshaw said Maya Gottshall is a very kind and caring person. She is sensitive to those around her and wants to help if someone is hurt or sad. If a friend gets hurt at recess or in PE she will offer to get an ice pack and stay with that person until everything is OK. Maya has a positive attitude toward her fourth-grade classmates and always tries to get along with others. When working in group situations, she will listen to ideas first before adding her own suggestions.

Fourth-grade teacher Heather Buckley said Katie McLain always shows the character trait of seek first to understand. ?Katie gets along well with her peers and shows a kind heart to those around her. If she notices someone is having a rough day, Katie lifts their spirits and puts a smile on their face. She follows directions well in our fourth-grade class and is a great listener. Katie is an excellent friend to all, and a true leader at our school.?

The students are now working on Habit 6: Synergize or Together is Better.