“Does anyone have peanut allergies?” asks the brown-eyed seven-year-old before she pulls out her after-school snack. Her two classmates, who have joined us in a generous teacher’s classroom, shake their heads. As a mom of three elementary-aged children, I am struck by the thoughtfulness and consideration Ursa Fitzwilliam displayed by that simple question. I am fairly certain my children would not have considered the other kids at the table before hungrily digging into their long-awaited sustenance. Not that my munchkins aren’t kind and considerate people, but when their own needs are urgent, they can be singularly-minded. The three second-grade girls sitting around the tiny table aren’t superhuman either. They get giddy with the idea they might be famous after this article is printed in our local publication. When prompted to share what they want to be when they grow up, the girls don’t mention Red Cross work or the Peace Corp. Instead, they’d like to be acclaimed singers like Taylor Swift. Yet in one incredibly significant way, these young ladies are remarkably unique tiny world changers.
Ursa, Vivian, Charlie and Hadley possess a character quality lacking in many adults: empathy. These seven and eight-year-old girls give up their recess time weekly to mobilize the “Help Squad.” Initiated last year by classmate Vivian, the Help Squad exists to be a positive force at school. “If someone gets hurt, we try to help them feel better or get a teacher for them. If somebody doesn’t have anyone to play with and is sitting on the yellow Buddy Bench, we invite them to play,” the girls explain. That’s exactly how the Help Squad began. During the first week of first grade, Ursa wandered sad and alone on the playground during recess. She was new at school and only knew one other child from her Pre-K and kindergarten years at Bal Swan Children’s Center. Vivian and Charlie felt bad for her and talked about it with Vivian’s mom, Annie Oakes, after school. Annie suggested starting a club that helps people, and the idea sprang to life. Ursa immediately joined when invited and quickly found her place with this little group of like-minded girls. Now the Help Squad is their favorite part of recess.
As is true of most organizations, however, the Help Squad faced its share of challenges that first year. After appointing a president, VP, treasurer and secretary, the girls printed business cards to spread the word. Initial interest ran high. Unfortunately, daily meetings at recess competed with playtime, and the less-invested children eventually defected. “The boys just wanted to play football,” laments Hadley. “People started quitting,” adds Charlie. “But we trimmed the club down. And now there are some really nice people in it!” Ursa explains, “We like to keep it small, so there’s no arguing.”
When asked about who they think needs the most help at school, Ursa chimed in first, sharing, “Special needs kids.” Charlie immediately agreed, adding, “Sometimes they get bullied because they’re different.” Hadley topped off the noteworthy display of empathy and inclusivity, elaborating, “Different is good, so we’re not all the same.” Growing up in a world more polarized than ever by our differences, these second-grade girls have a wealth of experience and deep-seated convictions we adults would do well to emulate.
Ursa’s parents attribute much of her care and concern for people to Ursa’s years at Bal Swan Children’s Center. “Bal Swan fosters empathy for those who are different from you and equips kids early on with a set of tools to include others,” reflects Stephanie Fitzwilliam, Ursa’s mom. The social-emotionally focused, inclusive early learning center enrolls both neurotypical and neurodiverse students. Incredible resources, including physical and occupational therapists, round out an excellent staff who give their all to help children grow and learn together. Bal Swan also boasts a warm-water therapy pool inside the school. The excellent staff work as an integrated team to give their students unparalleled support. Right here in Broomfield, our preschoolers and kindergartners receive a world-renowned education in social and emotional skills, as well as stand-out academics. They take these tools when they graduate and better our community and the world at large.
“Ursa’s club is an embodiment of our vision of ‘an inclusive world of acceptance and respect’,” Debbie Kunz, director of Bal Swan, proudly states. Looking outside ourselves and having empathy for someone else who might face different challenges than we do not only improves our world but also improves our well-being. Ursa sums it up well, beaming, “If we help people, we feel good, and the people we help feel good!”
One wonderful way to start the year on a high note is by attending the Bal Swan Ball on March 1st. This year’s theme, “Springtime in Paris,” promises an enchanting evening filled with delicious cuisine, heartwarming stories and meaningful impact. By joining this celebration, you’ll be supporting Bal Swan’s mission to keep tuition affordable and maintain exceptional teacher-to-student ratios, ensuring the next generation of young learners has the tools to thrive. Together, we can help shape the tiny world-changers of tomorrow.
"These young ladies are remarkably unique tiny world changers."
"The Help Squad exists to be a positive force at school."