Lower School Celebrates International Dot Day With Creativity and Joy

St. Margaret’s Lower School celebrated International Dot Day this week with a variety of creative activities taking place throughout the division. International Dot Day, inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, is a global celebration which encourages students to embrace their spirit of creativity and use it to inspire others. The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.”

Throughout the week, Lower School students and teachers read The Dot aloud in classrooms and in the library, sparking thoughtful discussions about growth mindset, overcoming self-doubt, and believing in one’s abilities. Students across all grade levels, from kindergarten through grade 5, participated in engaging activities that brought the story’s message to life. Students enjoyed a free dress day, with many arriving head to toe in polka-dotted attire, and participated in activities throughout the week.

Art was central to the celebration, with students creating vibrant dot-themed artwork. In many classrooms, students combined individually decorated paper circles to form large, collaborative murals. The fun didn’t stop there—students, teachers, and the professional community showed their Dot Day spirit by dressing in polka dots, filling the halls with colorful patterns.

On the playground, grades 4 and 5 enjoyed using dot markers to decorate tables, reveling in the novelty of familiar and different art materials like highlighters and gel pens. Gennavie Johnson, Lower School co-teacher, noted how these simple tools inspired students to stretch their imaginations and use ordinary objects in new, creative ways.

Kindergarten through grade 3 students took part in special digital dot activities in the iLab with Laura Redman, Lower School computer science and engineering teacher. Using innovative tools like Quiver, younger students created 3D digital dots, while older students explored dot glyphs, blending technology with artistic expression.

Dot Day remains a beloved tradition in Lower School, uniting students and teachers in a celebration of courage and creativity. As Tupper Spring, Lower School director of community life, shared: “We love Dot Day! It reminds us that even the smallest mark can spark big creativity.”