Tigers Stronger Together: Building Empathy and Strengthening Our School Community
At Taft 7–12, our Tigers continue to grow stronger together through a month-long series of student-centered lessons focused on belonging, kindness, and positive relationships. This week, students will participate in our newest lesson, “In Their Shoes,” which focuses on the powerful skill of empathy and understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
A Month of Growth: Building Stronger Tigers Together
Over the past several weeks, students have engaged in meaningful discussions and activities designed to strengthen our school culture and support one another.
Week 1 – Everyone Belongs Here
Students explored what it means to feel seen, valued, and respected, learning that belonging is something we build intentionally through everyday actions.
Week 2 – The Power of Language
Students examined how words shape our school environment and practiced using respectful, positive language that encourages and includes others.
Week 3 – Kindness is Strength
Students learned that kindness is not weakness, it is leadership. They reflected on how helping others, encouraging classmates, and showing empathy builds stronger teams and friendships.
Week 4 – Looking Out for Each Other
Students practiced ways to support peers by including others, speaking up when needed, and connecting classmates to trusted adults in our school community.
Each lesson has helped students strengthen the skills needed to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for everyone.
This Week’s Focus: Empathy “In Their Shoes”
This week, students explored the meaning of empathy, defined as the ability to understand another person’s feelings and experiences by imagining themselves in that person’s situation.
Through the “Stepping Into Their Shoes” activity, students reflected on real-life situations where they experienced another person’s perspective. Students will write about these moments on paper shoes, decorated them, and contributed them to a growing display that represents the voices and experiences of our school community.
This powerful visual activity reminds students that:
Everyone has a story
Understanding others builds stronger relationships
Empathy helps create a safer, more respectful school
Why This Work Matters
At Taft 7–12, we believe that strong schools are built on strong relationships. When students feel safe, supported, and understood, they are more confident learners and stronger members of our community.
Our Tigers Stronger Together lessons reinforce the belief that:
Everyone belongs
Kindness matters
We look out for one another
Our words and actions shape our school
These lessons are more than conversations—they are opportunities for students to reflect, connect, and take ownership of the culture they help create every day.
Tigers Stronger Together
We are proud of the thoughtful discussions and meaningful work happening in classrooms each week. Families may begin to see student-created “shoe reflections” displayed around the school with each one representing a moment of empathy and understanding.
Together, we continue building a school where everyone belongs and every voice matters.
Tigers Stronger Together!
Coming Soon - Student designed documentary.
These lessons and our focus is directly tied to Oregon's Every Student Belongs Policy. The Oregon Department of Education recognizes that student health and safety are the cornerstone of education and that all students are entitled to a high-quality educational experience, free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin, and without fear or hatred, racism or violence.
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