The students have been slapping high fives with their morning greeters, some of whom sport oversized foam hands in the blue and white colors of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge.

That color scheme is no coincidence, because the greeters are UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge team members conducting their High Five Fridays initiative.

“Putting smiles on students’ faces really brightens everyone’s day, our team included,” said Leah Glasgo, president of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. “Through these small but meaningful connections, we can impact the young people in our community and show them they are valued and supported.”

Josh Porter, the superintendent of the Fort Dodge Community School District, said the High Five Fridays program does show students that the community cares about them.

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UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge staff pose for a group photo as they prepare to give high fives to students at Cooper Elementary School in Fort Dodge last month.

“It’s incredible how something so simple can bring such energy and positivity into our schools,” he said. “We value this collaboration and appreciate UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge for their continued investment in our schools and community.”

On a High Five Friday, a group of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge employees arrives before school starts and lines both sides of the hall by the entrance. As the students come in, they walk down the center of the hall exchanging high fives with real hands and the oversized foam ones.

This is the second year for the project. Last month, High Five Fridays were held at Duncombe, Cooper and Feelhaver elementary schools plus the Early Childhood Center and St. Edmond Catholic School.

On Friday, the morning high five greeting took place at St. Paul Lutheran School and Community Christian School.

Visits to Butler Elementary School, plus schools in Pocahontas, Laurens and Manson are scheduled for this spring.

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UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge staff give high fives to students at the Early Childhood Center as they enter the school on High Five Friday recently.

High Five Fridays will be an annual project, according to an announcement from UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge.

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Judy Nelson, an advanced registered nurse practitioner with UnityPoint Health — Occupational Medicine, surprised her grandsons, Colton Holmes, left, and Miles Holmes, right, during a High Five Friday last month at the Early Childhood Center. Colton Holmes, 8, is a student at Duncombe Elementary School who likes to walk his brother, who is 5, into the Early Childhood Center to make sure he gets there safely.

-Submitted photo
UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge staff give high fives to students at Duncombe Elementary School for High Five Friday last month.