Diamond View Middle School in Susanville is undergoing a shift in its culture in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which created a disconnect among students.
Over the course of nearly two years, Principal Dede Heimbigner has tirelessly worked to introduce a program to the school, Ignite2Ignite, “Breaking Down the Walls.”
Facilitated by the dynamic Rochelle, this program aims to address the issues at hand.
Principal Heimbigner envisions this program will ultimately mend students’ emotions and reunite the school community, which had been fragmented during the pandemic due to communication difficulties and a disrupted sense of normality.
Starting earlier this month, students were organized into four color-coded groups, each comprising around 80 students. These groups convened in the gymnasium, where Rochelle, the speaker, set the tone by proclaiming, “Today is about fun, stories, and respect.” As the Ignite2Ignite website explains, the program builds “empathy and understanding through [a] “play, trust, learn” model.”
During the two-day workshop, students interacted in small clusters, deliberately mixed with peers outside their usual circles of friends. Rochelle orchestrated fun, almost preschool-like games that fostered unity and facilitated verbal connections. She emphasized, “everything talks, everything communicates,” encompassing not just verbal communication but also facial expressions and body language.
To sustain the spirit of Diamond View’s “Better Together” theme for the 2023-24 school year, the program will extend into classrooms. Teachers will guide students through social-emotional activities every Friday, targeting specific behaviors.
During the student conference, the gym walls featured posters displaying what students learned from the program and outlining actionable steps they want to take to enhance the school environment. These posters will be placed around the campus as a reminder of their commitment.
Principal Heimbigner emphasizes that this initiative is part of a long-term plan with many more components yet to be unveiled in the coming months. The goal is to revitalize the school and ignite a brighter future for its students.
