I Have a Cup
Julia Taves
jtaves@scs.edu.do
Elementary Principal
Santiago Christian School

Some educators say the cup is half empty. Some say it is half full. It’s good to help students realize we
can be thankful to just have a cup. How can this be done coming off of a pandemic? Students are
behind. Teachers are exhausted. After all, some of these life lessons such as thankfulness can seem
diminished when focusing on trudging through bridging the gap with academics, right?
To create a positive and thankful atmosphere in the classroom, we challenged students to think past
themselves. Students were given the option to write letters of encouragement to children in a local
Children’s Cancer Hospital. Not only did the teachers jump on board to implement writing strategies,
but students had a purpose for writing and enjoyed the process. The excitement grew and the letters
poured in! The letters were meaningful and well written. Moving through this season of covid, many
students could relate to being sick. Imagining students being in a hospital long term really made
students thankful for their health. Students also helped practically by bringing in many food items for
the families of the cancer patients due to high medical costs and in some cases not being able to work to
care for their child.

Our students are learning that we can be thankful to take our cup and use it together with overflowing
resources in giving to others. This strategy builds community and is a life lesson that can be taught in
any school, which will outlast a pandemic.