Joyful ABCs in Early Childhood Promoting Diversity and Positive Sense of Self

In conjunction with CharacterStrong, Prekindergarten classrooms are celebrating the richness of diversity and teaching children how to embrace their differences through activities featured in Joyful ABCs activity booklets. The series contains 26 booklets created by the National Museum of African American History and Culture Early Childhood Education Initiative and are inspired by the children’s book, A is for All The Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book written by Anna Forgerson Hindley and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo. Featured activities can include drawing unique self portraits, choosing and practicing affirmations, and reading books narrated with varying perspectives. Students have participated in activities such as expressing themselves through creative movement during a dance session with flowing scarves, created personal medals to celebrate taking safe risks and identifying shapes, and practiced their drawing skills to construct maps of their homes. Throughout the school year, students will continue to have the opportunity to ask questions and explore their curiosities while exploring ideas such as fairness, kindness, open-mindedness and being vocal. The program encourages cross-curricular learning in several core subjects by providing book suggestions, online resources, and exercises for supporting literacy and language skills. Each day, our youngest learners grow stronger and more confident thanks to programming like Joyful ABCs.

Each booklet (one for each letter of the alphabet) features activities that build vocabulary and support language development in early learners while encouraging them to have a positive sense of self and to embrace the diversity within and around them.

Meet the Mascot

Earlier this year, SPS became the proud new owner of a Cardinal Mascot suit, who was brought to life by various individuals in our community (who shall all remain nameless). After a schoolwide vote to find a name for the cardinal, the prevailing choice was revealed before the winter break: