Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School

Kids Comment On The Humanity Project

See those comments just above, obviously written by a child? They are only two of the end-of-year remarks offered by our fifth grade Humanity Club kids — anonymously. They could say anything they wanted … or nothing at all. But they each chose to say quite a lot.

After 25 Humanity Club sessions that began early in the school year, these smart kids clearly got a great deal from their time with the Humanity Project: “It has helped me by reminding me that I am important and that I should stay confident.” Or another that says, “It has helped everyone learn to be kind and respectful.” Or … here’s another:

Yes, some of our kids mention bullying. Two students specifically told us their Humanity Project experience improved their “mental health.”

These student leaders were selected to help us spread our positive message throughout their school. “Equality For Each, Respect For All!” And, importantly, to gain feelings of self-worth along the way. They understood those ideas and passed them on to their peers. We’re proud of each of our kids… and we’ll miss them. But we’ll be working with many more bright caring students in 2024-25, of course. We can’t wait.

An Educator Comments On Our Work

Our remarks here will be brief — because the letter in this post says it all. Kind but meaningful comments from a respected educator. Dr. Lisa Sporillo is very familiar with the work of the Humanity Project. And she has found that we have made a real difference in her school. Our efforts at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary are just part of fulfilling our mission to instill greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity. Thank you, Dr. Sporillo, for the chance to spread our positive message among your students.

Young Leaders Leading Peers

This is how we do it at the Humanity Project. Kids teaching kids … Our handpicked young student leaders have spent a year learning about the real value of self-worth, respect for others, equality — and also how to present those values to their peers in various ways throughout their membership in our Humanity Club program. Last week was another opportunity for our leaders to share their knowledge. And to inspire their younger peers.

This time our 5th graders worked with a large group of 2nd graders to help the smaller children gain some understanding of ideas such as respect and community. They began the session with our regular Humanity Club deep breathing and affirmations, explaining why these practices are helpful.

It’s just one part of the Humanity Project’s efforts to promote “Equality For Each, Respect For All.” We have learned that by working with elementary school kids in this way, we help prevent bullying and other destructive behavior in their school of course, but also in middle school and high school. The lessons stick and carry over to inform their values later in life.

We’re proud of all the kids in our Humanity Club program. They are constantly challenged with new ideas and difficult problems to consider, but they come back to us for more, week after week. We applaud them. And we thank them for their hard work. Bravo to each of these young leaders.

Our Kids Helping Hurricane Victims

Holy cow! Look at that number on the big check our kids are holding: $1,192 … money they raised to help victims of Hurricane Ian. Impressive, isn’t it?

We want to thank our Humanity Club student leaders at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, Florida for their amazing fundraising efforts. It was spearheaded by the wonderful Piper Spencer, a Humanity Project Board Director and teacher at that school. Piper helps us lead weekly meetings with the Pines Charter Elementary Humanity Club. At her suggestion, our kids held fundraising events that pulled in some big money for hurricane relief efforts. The money is going to our friends and partners at Neighbors 4 Neighbors, a South Florida nonprofit founded in 1992 to aid folks hurt by Hurricane Andrew. We’re told our Humanity Project money will go toward mental health services for Ian’s victims as well as first responders and social service workers there. Bravo!

Humanity Club is just one of the Humanity Project’s acclaimed programs. And thanks to a generous grant from Our Fund Foundation, Humanity Club will be in more schools and other locations than ever before in a single year. We work with young student leaders on the values of self-worth, equality and respect, then guide them as they share what they’ve learned with schoolmates and other peers.

So a big thank you to our Humanity Club in Pembroke Pines for caring enough to show respect for people in desperate need — in this case, respect in the form of dollars that can make a genuine difference.

One Child's Call For Respect and Peace

As the new school year begins, we already can see that our 2022-23 Humanity Club kids are very special. You may recall that our Humanity Club is a signature Humanity Project program, bringing together handpicked student leaders for intensive training about respect, equality, diversity and self-worth — lessons they share with their peers.

At Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School, a young Humanity Club student has written a poem we thought you might like to see. Here it is, called “A World of Peace.” By Matthew Hines, 5th Grade.

If we showed respect to everyone in our schools

There would be no bullying problems

Of what we wear, and our hair, and our special abilities

Instead we greet others casually and treat them with respect

A school of peace, A world of peace

If we showed respect to everyone in our community

We will try to often have their back

If you see someone in distress don't sit back and watch

Try to help them move on with their day, don't leave them in a notch

A community of peace, a world of peace

If we showed worldwide respect

No terrorism or war

Talk it out with other leaders the correct thing to do

No violence or war is by any means necessary

Just do the right thing you know what to do

From the battlegrounds of Afghanistan

To the war in Ukraine

From the bombing of Pearl Harbor

From the terror of 9/11 Let there be peace

Because a world of peace is a beautiful world.

****

We find it hopeful that some young minds feel such feelings and think such thoughts, offering us all a much-needed injection of optimism about the future. We’re proud that the Humanity Project’s “Humanity Club” program is helping to shape and encourage children such as Matthew, who in turn teach their important lessons to fellow students. “Equality For Each, Respect For All” … that’s the Humanity Project.

What Do Kids Say?

The Humanity Project’s highly regarded “Humanity Club” program works with kids for extended periods, typically one or even two full school years with the same group. These young leaders of color then help teach their peers about values such as self-worth, respect for all people, equality. But what do the kids themselves think of their program?

After a full year at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, we asked Humanity Club members. Without prompting or advance warning, no preparation — these are their spontaneous and candid remarks. Take a listen to this brief but uplifting video. (With great thanks to Piper Spencer, Humanity Project Board Director and teacher at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School.)


Kids Rap Against Bullying

We hope you’ll take just one minute to watch the latest video by some of our Humanity Project kids — members of the Humanity Club program. It’s their own lyrics, their performances … all to help stop bullying in their school and beyond. “Bully, bully, bully, can’t you ever see? Your words really really do bad hurt me!”

If you can’t watch it through the embedded video below, here’s the link on our Humanity Project YouTube channel. We just know you’ll enjoy it … and perhaps feel inspired that these young children care about the feelings of other human beings. This video is one more way our nonprofit inspires self-worth, promotes equality and prevents disrespectful bullying behavior, whether in the schools, at home, on the roads or in the workplace. “Equality For Each, Respect For All!”

Back In The Classroom

We’ve persevered during a pandemic, keeping our work moving forward through programs, presentations and panel discussions at parks and libraries… sometimes virtually, sometimes in person as we deemed safe. Now the Humanity Project is back in the classroom, both virtually and in person. So far, our Humanity Club sessions are going well.

We’re working with 12 hand-picked student leaders at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. These are bright, engaged kids who want to make a difference in this challenged world. Our wonderful Humanity Project Board of Directors VP, Piper Spencer, is a teacher there, working for us in person to help our young folks understand the importance of “Equality For Each, Respect For All.” Other knowledgeable Board members offer virtual lessons during our one-hour sessions.

As always, we plan to involve the entire school in promoting respect — and stopping bullying. We’re also going to build another “Humanity Garden” as a place of rest and reflection and inspiration at this 700-student facility. We’ll tell you more about all that in the coming weeks … and our other efforts to contribute to a society where every human being feels valuable. For now, we want to thank Piper Spencer and Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School. We’re very glad to get back inside the classroom.

This website and all materials on it are copyrighted by the Humanity Project®.

(Fables and some music are copyrighted by the author, Robert Spencer Knotts.)

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