BUILDING a SENSE of COMMUNITY at SCHOOL

During my first week at my practicum, I learned how the class I worked in and the school I went to built a sense community :)
In the class I worked in, my CT taught the students a secret handshake. I thought this secret handshake was pretty kewl. The students had fun learning the secret handshake, and so did I. Was neat seeing grade grade 1 and 2 students giving their full attention and participation in the secret handshake. I miss the students and my CT from my practicum, we had so much fun!
The school I went to, had a morning assembly every day. The teachers and principal all took turns running the assembly. The assembly started off with the school song every day, here is part of the song:
Build a road of peace before us,
Build it wide, and deep and long,
Speed the slow, remind the eager,
Help the weak, and guide the strong.
The school song is great, took me a long time to learn the song. I even tried to record the school singing the song but there was a no cell phone policy and I couldnt record the song. But eventually I learned the song.
Once a week the school would sing 'O Canada,' and I knew this song very well. I enjoyed singing 'O Canada,' brought back some good memories of when I went to elementary school.
After the students and staff finished singing, they announced important messages to the whole school at the assembly. Then the students would say the school motto when the assembly was over. The school motto went something like this, "At .... we take care of ourselves, we take care eachother and we take care of this place." I loved the school motto.
During Friday's assembly, the teachers gave out stars to the students, from grades k-7. Usually 2-3 stars per grade. Also there was a gratitude remark made by two of the staff members everyday. I thought this was great to see, hearing what staff members are greatful for. The staff members took turns giving gratitude remarks because once a week the whole school stands in a circle and has a gratitude assembly. Where two students from each grade say what they are greatful for. This is a super great idea, seeing students say what they are greatful for.
These are the activities the school I went to did, to build a sense a community for the students, staff and parents. The morning assemblies are always open to parents. I enjoyed working at this school for my practicum, I enjoyed seeing how a community is built in school, and the strong community values being promoted, I learned alot from my practicum and wish my practicum was extended (more than 4 wks)