![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Photo-1-tree.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe tree was blooming with hearts in February and before that, paper holiday ornaments made by staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stole this idea from another school,\u201d school counselor Carrie Bossler admitted sheepishly. \u201cI steal all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
She borrowed<\/em> the idea of a hallway tree\u00a0during the Great Kindness Challenge in January. \u201cWe decorated the tree with hearts, asking students and staff to write how they show kindness to others.\u201d<\/p>\n Bossler put her own spin on the idea for March – an idea others may be inclined to \u201csteal\u201d from her because of the positive reaction from students, staff and parents.<\/p>\n She and pre-kindergarten teacher assistant Heidi Ullrich cut out paper shamrocks, as did a class of students with disabilities as part of a service project. All students and staff received a shamrock and were asked to share what they feel lucky for in their lives.<\/p>\n I\u2019m lucky because I have the best mom.<\/em><\/p>\n My red hair.<\/em><\/p>\n Bunk beds.<\/em><\/p>\n I am lucky to have a helpful, caring, amazing family.<\/em><\/p>\n My sister.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes me feel lucky is life, family and my friends,\u201d fifth-grader Lavelle Brown said he wrote on his shamrock. He noted that he also added the words \u201clove\u201d and \u201cdragons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur school is the dragons,\u201d he explained. \u201cAt the same time, I love wolves, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Brown\u00a0didn\u2019t hesitate when asked which shamrock other than his own is his favorite.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one,\u201d he said pointing to it. \u201cI feel so lucky to work with the most amazing kids and staff at the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n Principal Stephanie Haus said the blooming tree engages the students and visitors.<\/p>\n \u201cThe kids really do like finding their shamrock and others. They enjoy looking at it and reading it.\u201d<\/p>\n Fifth-grader Noa Johnson filled her shamrock with the people, items and hobbies that are important to her: mom, dad, sister, basketball, swimming, food, clothes, shelter, love, adore.<\/em><\/p>\n Why does she feel lucky to have all that in her life?<\/p>\n \u201cBecause if I didn\u2019t I would be lonely,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n Bosseler admitted she didn\u2019t know the shamrock tree was going to be so popular.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they\u2019re even up on the ceiling,\u201d she noted. “All it needs now is a rainbow.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n