Schools
'It's all Good' at Franklin School
The theme, Inspired by the children's book Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, written by Eric Litman, is being used to communicate to students that they have the power to make Franklin School a better place by doing good things
"It's all good" at Franklin School.
Inspired by the children's book Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, written by Eric Litman and illustrated by James Dean, the Summit school has adopted Pete the Cat's positive attitude when he faces failure and disappointment.
As the story goes, Pete heads out for a stroll in his new white sneakers. Upon stumbling into piles of strawberries, blueberries, mud, and a puddle of water, Pete's white sneakers turn colors throughout the tale; yet, Pete maintains an upbeat, non-complaining, and positive attitude. His refrain remains, "It's all good."
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Franklin School Principal Dr. Sheila Cole and school librarian Loreli Stochaj selected the upbeat Pete as a role model for the students. "It's All Good" was celebrated at an all-student assembly held the first week back to school.
"Our goal with the theme is to tell the students that each of them have the power to make Franklin School a better place by doing good things," said Dr. Cole. "And, like Pete the Cat, they can adopt a positive attitude and make the best of difficult situations."
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Dr. Cole also pointed out that the students' awareness of "doing good things" reinforces the state's new anti-harassment, intimidation, and bullying legislation that went into effect in schools the beginning of September.
At the assembly, Ms. Stochaj read I Love My White Shoes while displaying the pages of the book on a screen at the front of the assembly. Each staff member wore a Pete the Cat tee-shirt, and everyone sang along with Pete's son, "I Love My White Shoes," (or whatever color they happened to be following his various mishaps). Students were asked to discuss with their classmates what they can do to make sure good things happen at Franklin School.
The theme will continue throughout the school year with students being presented with Pete the Cat stickers when they are "caught doing something good."
"Remember," Dr. Cole told her students at the conclusion of the assembly, "we are all different. Some of us like red shoes, some like brown shoes, and some like white shoes. But it's all good."
