Cultivating Character Kickoff - News & Photos - McDonogh School

News & Photos

Cultivating Character Kickoff

Tuesday, September 2 marked the kickoff of the Lower School’s Cultivating Character program, an initiative designed to help students explore values, identity, and the qualities that build community. The youngest learners gathered for an assembly filled with music, stories, and a puppet show, setting the stage for a year of meaningful conversations.

Together, students read Belong by Mary Rand Hess and Nina Mata, a story celebrating courage, friendship, and the idea that everyone has a place in their community. Students then reflected on their own identities by creating colorful hearts that express who they are. Through activities like these, Lower School children are learning to embrace their uniqueness, celebrate differences, and build connections with kindness and respect.