Leadership and art projects collide at Erdenheim Elementary

Frith deKerillis said she was changed this year by the philosophies of her second graders.

The Erdenheim Elementary School teacher spent all year incorporating ideas of mindfulness and thoughtfulness into her classroom as part of a leadership project - Habits of the Mind - the Flourtown elementary school recently expanded.

"My outlook now captures more patience, understanding, and endless positive energy," deKerillis said.

To mark the end of this year's project, more than 750 pupils sent "well wishes" into the universe Wednesday when they gathered on the school playground and blew bubbles into the sky.

The Springfield (Montco) District school started the program to help pupils consider attitudes they may not typically encounter in the classroom. Teachers were encouraged to teach 16 tenets of the program, such as "keep your mind growing, understand others' points of view, and dare to ask questions."

"This all began with a goal of supporting our students on their journey to developing as leaders and critical thinkers," Chris Bradley, principal of Erdenheim Elementary, said in a statement.

The tenets were chosen to inspire pupils to respect themselves, others, and the world in general, according to Kris Casabon, the mother of fourth and seventh graders and the cochair of the school's artist-in-residence program.

"It's been a really awe-inspiring experience to see the kids respond so well," said Casabon.

Earlier this year, Erdenheim students, with the help of the school's artist-in-residence, Lianda Swain, and art teacher Kristi Forjohn, designed more than 800 flags adorned with symbols that mean something to them.

Swain and Forjohn encouraged the pupils to create their flags to represent both themselves and those they love. The flags were then gathered, and a large aluminum "Spiral of Wishes" was built to display the creations in the school lobby.

Each year, Erdenheim chooses an artist to work with the elementary school in the artist-in-residence program, which is funded by the district's home and school partnership.

"The goal of this project was to expose kids to the process of making intentional artwork that fosters the truth that we all have the capability to create positive change in our lives for the better," Swain said.