Our team recently introduced a Gratitude Tree in our staff lounge, a seasonal addition that reflects the strong sense of community at Shrub Oak International School. The idea grew naturally from the work begun earlier this year to strengthen staff involvement and demonstrate appreciation across campus. Back in August, we launched an initiative inviting staff from every department to participate—by nomination from their manager—in a new staff-led Staff Appreciation Committee. In collaboration with Human Resources, this group was created to establish a direct line of communication between staff and the larger Shrub Oak committee responsible for planning events and celebrations to ensure that the activities that are organized truly align with what staff want.
The committee has been meeting since September to build the foundation for this new effort, choosing Roots & Relationships for its name, or R&R for short. The name reflects the group’s mission to strengthen connection, nurture collaboration, and create meaningful experiences for the staff who support our students every day. In planning for Thanksgiving, committee members voted to organize a food drive for a local charity and introduce a Gratitude Tree to bring this spirit of appreciation into our shared spaces.
The Gratitude Tree was placed in a central location in the staff lounge so everyone can easily stop by, pick up a leaf, and add a message of thanks. We encourage notes of every kind—recognition for a colleague who stepped in when help was needed, appreciation for a team that worked together during a challenging day, gratitude for family members who support us, or a positive moment that brought joy to someone’s shift. Whether the expression is big or small, each leaf adds depth to a collective display of encouragement and connection.
The tree was created as an interactive space designed to prompt reflection. As more staff members add messages, the tree grows into a visual record of the daily kindness, teamwork, patience, and empathy that shape the environment at Shrub Oak. Taking even a brief moment to write a leaf offers a meaningful pause to recognize something good. Over time, these small acknowledgments strengthen our shared culture of recognition—something we value deeply as we support our students and one another.
We have already witnessed staff stopping in before meetings, during lunch breaks, or at the end of the day to read the leaves others have added. The Gratitude Tree sparks conversations and encourages in-person appreciation, often inspiring another leaf to be added. These small interactions reinforce the connections among staff and remind us that we are all part of a larger community working toward the same mission.
All staff were invited with a simple message: “Feel free to stop by, grab a leaf, and add your message to the tree.” As the tree fills, we see firsthand how meaningful it is to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of our colleagues. We look forward to watching the Gratitude Tree continue to grow alongside the work of Roots & Relationships and to strengthening the culture of positivity that anchors our community.
