Carol Chen

Acceptance

by Foothills Middle School Student Carol Chen

When people think of acceptance, they can have a variety of thoughts, such as being accepted in an environment, by other people, or simply by themselves. I think about self-acceptance. Having self- acceptance and self-confidence is a vital trait that people of all ages should possess but unfortunately having self-doubt can for the most part be inevitable. Developing an aptitude for self-validation is the key to accepting yourself and having self-confidence, which is the ability to reassure and persuade yourself that you are worth it and that you can do it.

For the most part, schools are the primary setting in which students first begin to understand their own strengths and flaws, as well as build self-confidence and acceptance. Acceptance is demonstrated in a variety of ways at Foothills Middle School and other AUSD schools.

One way Foothills shows acceptance is that we are allowed to form our own clubs. Students' self-esteem and self-acceptance can benefit from this. When starting a club, it is very typical to pursue a hobby, talent, or subject that the individual is passionate about. If people improve or contribute to this activity, they are more likely to build self-esteem and confidence. Furthermore, at Foothills, you do not have to apply to join a club, which makes everyone feel included. You only need to write down your ID number and your name. When I joined a club in sixth grade, I felt like I was part of a community where I could express myself and be accepted for who I was. I was able to share my ideas and put them into action.

Field trips, theater productions, games, and parties are just a few of the activities offered at Foothills Middle School that demonstrate acceptance to the community. At Foothills, we enjoy games like Simon Says and musical chairs. This is a terrific way for newcomers to meet new people and feel accepted while having fun. Our school also hosts a Halloween costume contest and a Halloween party because Halloween is approaching. Participating in the Halloween costume contest allows students to have fun while also expressing their creativity.

Another way Foothills Middle School demonstrates acceptance is by offering tutoring after school for two hours twice a week. This shows how the teachers are involved in our education learning and are eager to assist students.Tutoring can also boost the confidence of students who have low self-esteem and also help students gain academic confidence. Academic confidence is crucial, because it influences both their grades and their mental health. A perfect test score is frequently associated with academic confidence, but this is not always true. Typically, students who are academically confident are more likely to take risks and persevere, resulting in higher test scores. A student's grades will most likely reflect his or her lack of confidence. Fortunately, students and teachers are always willing to help. When I have a question about a math topic, for example, students are always willing to help explain it, and teachers offer office hours.

As expressed, Foothills and other AUSD schools express acceptance in a variety of ways. Foothills not only demonstrate academic and environmental acceptance, but they also assist other students in developing self-confidence and self-acceptance.