The Positivity Project at Fort Edward Union Free School District

Empowering students to build positive relationships.

Fort Edward  is excited to continue the character strength education program called “The Positivity Project” (or “P2”) throughout the district for the 2023-2024 school year. 

The program is part of a nationwide movement and is focused around positive psychology’s scientifically-validated 24 character strengths. Students will discover ways to recognize these strengths in themselves and others to help build stronger relationships with their school community.

The program’s hashtag/motto is #PositivityInAction. It asks students to reflect on the following mindset:

1. Identifying and appreciating the good in others.

2. Knowing that my words and actions affect others.

3. Supporting others when they struggle.

4. Cheering others on when they succeed.

5. Being present and giving others my attention.

The Positivity Project (P2) is an organization whose mission is to empower students to build positive relationships and become their best selves. Positive psychology’s 24 character strengths serve as its foundation. Ranging from bravery and perseverance to integrity and gratitude, the character strengths are classified and described in the 800-page book Character Strengths and Virtues. These strengths aren’t about ignoring the negative. Instead, they help us overcome life’s inevitable adversities.

To achieve its mission, P2 partners with Pre-K–12 schools and equips educators with the resources, training, and strategy to teach their students about character strengths and positive relationships. P2 is a school-wide endeavor grounded in the consistency of daily classroom instruction. P2 Partner Schools dedicate one week to each strength and students learn through daily 15-minute classroom lessons that are different for every grade level. These lessons help students understand character through definitions, examples, discussions, and exercises. P2’s model is holistic, incorporating students, educators, and parents through regular interaction with character strengths vocabulary and concepts.

Virtues are core aspects of human excellence that allow us to survive and thrive. Researchers found six core virtues to be ubiquitous across cultures. The 24 character strengths are organized under the six virtues of: wisdom and knowledge; humanity; justice; courage; temperance; and transcendence.

• Wisdom and Knowledge – Strengths of wisdom and knowledge are cognitive strengths related to the acquisition and use of information. Strengths comprised in this virtue are creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, and perspective.
• Humanity – Strengths of humanity involve caring interpersonal relationships with others, particularly in one-to-one relationships. Strengths comprised in this virtue are love, kindness, and social intelligence.
• Justice – Strengths of justice refer to the optimal relationship between the individual and the group or community, rather than the more one-to-one relationships in the humanity virtue. Strengths comprised in this virtue are teamwork, fairness, and leadership.
• Courage – Strengths of courage involve applying will and fortitude in overcoming internal or external resistance to accomplish goals. Strengths comprised in this virtue are bravery, perseverance, integrity, and enthusiasm.
• Temperance – Strengths of temperance protect us from excess. Strengths comprised in this virtue are forgiveness, humility, prudence, and self-control.
• Transcendence – Strengths of transcendence allow people to rise above their troubles and find meaning in the larger universe. Strengths of transcendence are appreciation of beauty and excellence, purpose, gratitude, optimism, and humor.

For more information on the 24 character strengths, please visit The Project Positivity website here.

In our school we are RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, and OTHER PEOPLE MATTER!