Bringing “Real Love” to
Sullivan West Elementary School

On May 12, 2023, the John Lennon Real Love Project came to Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville, NY.

As we walked into the 6th grade classroom of Ms. Dawn Hauschild’s, it was immediately clear that Ms. Hauschild was deeply engaged in teaching her students to be their best selves. 

Posted on a wall was a checklist of agreed-upon standards for students to meet in their personal interactions with one another, including notes on how to kind and mindful. These ideas inspired the lyrics the students composed:

Stay out of drama and be friends

When there’s a fight let’s make amends

We never want our friendships to crumble

We need to show love

When we’re positive we all thrive 

That creates a powerful vibe

With chemistry and cooperation

Our school’s full of love 

Once the lyrics were completed, teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko recorded several groups of students singing on their own and with John Lennon’s original piano and vocal track. 

The completed song impressed music teacher, Ali Kramer, who said, “This project made such a huge impact on our students as they ended the school year being kind to each other.  Thank you for this experience and for the way you connected with everyone.  The teachers have been talking about it all morning. Parents, students, and staff got to enjoy watching our children shine.”