Students in Ms. Fost’s grade 3 class and Mr. Kieley’s grade 5 classed are thrilled to welcome Baby Ryan and Baby Jackson into their classrooms for the Roots of Empathy Program.

Roots of Empathy is a program whose mission is to build emotional literacy and caring, peaceful societies through the development of children and adults.  Roots of Empathy aims to raise the levels of empathy students have towards each other which results in more caring peer relationships and reduced aggression and bullying.

Baby Ryan and Baby Jackson will visit the classroom 9 times through-out the school year.  During their visits students will talk about how they are growing and developing, what they like and dislike, sing songs to the baby and watch them play.  After the baby visits, we reflect on what we have learned and how we can use that knowledge to make a happier, safer classroom.

Students begin to see that everyone is different and we all need to be treated with respect.  After all, you wouldn’t hurt or call a baby names so why do it to someone in your classroom – we were all babies once.

At the final visit the students present the baby and parent with a “wishing tree”.  This tree is filled with wishes the students have for the baby and the life ahead of him.

If you see Baby Ryan or Baby Jackson in the school, please give them a warm welcome.