Hearts and Hands- Symbols of a Caring School
The social curriculum is vital to the success of students at Columbus Elementary School. The Purple Hands Pledge and its purple hand shape have become symbolic of our social curriculum and have been infused within each and every day at CES. The Hands Pledge states, “I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others.” As students repeat the pledge, they hold up their right hand. Students face each other as they say the words. To keep the pledge alive, the visual symbol of the pledge, a purple hand-shape with a heart in the center, is visible throughout our school. The pledge prompts activities in individual classrooms as well as through school wide events. From sharing the pledge with others through the creation of pamphlets for local businesses to the construction of a beautiful hand-shaped garden in the front of school, the Purple Hands Pledge and its symbolic hand-shape have become powerful reminders of the importance placed on respecting self and others at Columbus Elementary School.