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This year, we're highlighting what our schools are doing toward our three primary district goals: attendance, kindness, and academic achievement. Today, it's the Citta Seahawks.

January 21, 2025 -- Joseph A. Citta Elementary School's world language teacher Heather Leone is the author of a series of children’s journals designed to instill the values of positivity, kindness, and gratitude in young readers. They are entitled, “The Gratitude Attitude for Kids,” “The Gratitude Attitude for Girls,” and “The Gratitude Attitude for Bedtime.”

These journals serve as practical tools to help children develop emotional resilience and a positive outlook on life. By focusing on daily reflections, acts of kindness, and gratitude exercises, the journals encourage children to nurture a mindset that promotes happiness and empathy.

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Heather’s philosophy, “The more positive you can be, the happier you will be, which will foster a mindset of kindness,” is at the heart of her work. This belief underscores the importance of cultivating positivity as a way to enhance personal happiness and inspire acts of kindness toward others. Her journals aim to create a ripple effect, where fostering joy and gratitude in children leads to a broader culture of compassion and understanding in their communities.

Recently, Mrs. Leone worked with each of Citta's 3rd grade classrooms to talk about her path to becoming an author and teacher and how her hard work and dedication paid off in a career she absolutely loves. During the presentations, students created artwork depicting things they are thankful for, wrote thank you notes, and created a positivity chart. Students loved the creative means by which they learned about gratitude. She also emphasized the importance of recognizing both the little and big things that happen during the course of the day because they can all contribute to a person's happiness.

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Principal Michael Pallen noted that, “Mrs. Leone was kind enough to volunteer her time and efforts towards the district's Kindness Campaign." He continued, "As I watched her presentation, I was also inspired by Mrs. Leone’s messages.” 

Citta Elementary feels fortunate to have Señora Leone at the school! Her journals can be found and purchased on Amazon.  

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude

Citta Positive Mindset Propels Kindness Gratitude