Students Spread Positivity With Colorful “Care Squares”

May 08, 2024

On Friday, May 3rd, after-school pickup at 41 Broad Street was far more colorful than usual!

Throughout the afternoon, Lower and High School students took over the sidewalk in front of our Early Childhood and Lower School campus, adorning the street with words of kindness and vibrant illustrations. Organized by Junior Mariyah M., this artistic activity brought students, faculty, and staff across divisions together for a great cause: spreading positivity throughout our school community and beyond. “My inspiration for organizing the Care Squares activity was to instill values of kindness and upliftment in the younger students from early on and create a space where the lower school students can see the impact of their actions firsthand,” Mariyah said when asked about what motivated her to organize this event.

Mariyah also noted that an event like this was all the more impactful in an area like the ever-bustling Financial District, noting that many passersby slowed down to engage with or take pictures of students’ drawings. Many even asked if they could add to the artwork themselves!

When asked about her favorite part of the day, Mariyah mused about how proud she was of the event’s impact on both students and on members of our downtown community. “It fills me with fulfillment,” she started, “that one small activity organized by [our school] led to impact not only ourselves but our wider community. Although the chalk fades away, the messages being instilled on the young students are permanent and a core part as they prepare to navigate the complexities of the world.”

Great job, Mariyah! Huge thanks to everyone who took part in this day of positivity!