"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." ~Mother Theresa

Cottage Lane's word of the month is tolerance. Jacqueline Woodson's book, The Other Side, is the book of the month. Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.  There are many ways we can show tolerance toward others who have different opinions, beliefs, or race.  February 10th through February 16th is designated as Kindness Week. Use this time to show tolerance through random acts of kindness. Jacqueline Woodson's other book, Each Kindness, shows how the act of kindness benefits the giver as much as the receiver.  Here is a trailer to her book.

Students an inspirational kindness quote from RandomActsofKindness.org. Write this quote inside a Valentine Puzzle Purse or inside an origami heart. Leave anonymous Valentine's message for others in the school or in the community to find.