North Hills Elementary School students made their mark and celebrated their school culture when they all joined hands to paint the school’s first ever spirit rock.
Many Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools campuses decorate spirit rocks for class activities and promotions with community partners, but this is North Hills’ first time having access to a spirit rock. It was donated by Vulcan Materials Company, a frequent supporter of the school that also helped them build their walking track. The day Vulcan brought the rock to school with a crane and dropped it in the front yard was a ceremony that earned the whole school’s fanfare.
“It’s elementary school, and we like to make things fun for the kids whenever we can,” North Hills Principal Scarlet Owens said. “You can feel the energy here. They’re really excited."
The first big school activity centered on the rock was a campaign to get students and their parents to sign off on their Title I forms. Students who brought back their signed forms got to paint their hands and make a mark on the rock. The forms offer both students and their families critical information on resources and volunteer opportunities at the school, so making sure they reach the maximum number of people both encourages responsibility among students and reinforces a strong community spirit at North Hills.
“One of our responsibilities is welcoming parents in and showing them that we want them to be able to come in and support us,” said Roslyn Payne, the school’s parent and family engagement coordinator. “This also gets the kids to pay attention to their own responsibilities, too. When we all work together to do our role, our school does a lot better.”
The enthusiasm was palpable at North Hills when students got to start leaving their handprints on the spirit rock. Years from now, they’ll be able to return to their alma mater and see the spot on the rock where they made their mark and got to play a role in an exciting chapter of the school’s history. Students learn best in places where they feel like they’re a part of something, and experiences like this are huge for fostering that sense of belonging.
“These are very impactful moments for our kids,” said Teacher Assistant Mariana Tavira Lopez. “Imagine coming back here in a few years and still being able to see your mark. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with them."