In a heartfelt initiative to promote student well-being, Highland teachers and staff participated in a Valentine’s Day love rally to show students that they are all loved and welcomed at the school.
This was done in an effort to support students’ emotional well-being and mental health, especially in what has become a heated political climate. On the morning of Feb. 14, buses and all arriving students were met with signs covered in words of encouragement in different languages. Students were also offered sugar cookies.
This rally was organized and led by Valerie Gundlah, a Spanish teacher who despite being a relatively new member of the faculty, has gone out of her way to be there for her students.
“We are having a rally just to make sure that everyone knows that in this building they are welcome and seen and that we are happy that all of our students are here,” Gundlah said.
This wasn’t the first time she’d been involved in these schoolwide displays of student support.
“It was my idea; we actually did one when I taught in Boston,” Gundlah said.
As students started to arrive, some joined it with the teachers, wanting to be a part of the cause.
“I feel like often students don’t like going to school because they go unnoticed or feel unappreciated,” Redden MacCracken said.
Student mental health is a topic of discussion that is a frequent topic of discussion among teachers.
The goal of the rally was to stay away from political messaging and focus directly on making sure all students feel seen and loved. Teachers were met with smiles from students, and approving honks from parents dropping of their teens.
“I really appreciate it. I feel like it gives the feeling that the teachers actually care about the students, which sometimes isn’t always the case,” Kells Rockwell said.
This feeling of isolation in students isn’t something that teachers can solve all on their own. Students also need to take the reins into their own hands.
“I feel like student involvement in these things is important, because for the teachers, this is kind of their job. I think it’s nice that students want to help out,” Rockwell said.
This event is a perfect example of how a little bit can go a long way, and that small acts of kindness can really make a difference.
“We’re not trying to cause anything; we just want the students to know we care about them,” Gundlah said.
