Willow Creek Elementary students participated in the Great Kindness Challenge during Kindness Week Jan. 30 to Feb. 3.
“The Great Kindness Challenge is a nation-wide proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement,” said Colleen Berger, Willow Creek first grade teacher who organized the activities. “It is devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible during the week.”
Kindness Week kicked off on Jan. 27 at a school-wide Golden Awards assembly featuring first grade teachers.
“As the students exited the LGI, staff members made a Kindness Tunnel with signs and high fives to motivate the students,” said Berger.
A week of activities was planned at Willow Creek.
“Students in grades K-4 accepted the challenge and will show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!” said Berger. “Our friends at Andrew Maier Elementary also completed the Kindness Challenge last week!”
Each day of the week featured a theme.
Monday’s theme was “Kindness in America.” Students and faculty wore red, white, and blue.
Tuesday was “Put a cap on peace, love, and kindness” so students wore a crazy hat or cap.
Wednesday was “Kindness is old fashioned” so students dressed “old fashioned.”
Thursday was “Riding the kindness wagon,” so they dressed as cowboys and cowgirls.
Friday was “Kindness is the Willow Creek Way” so everyone wore Fleetwood colors.
Berger said that teachers did activities such as writing a kind note and delivering it to another class, made thank you cards for Willow Creek cleaning staff, office staff, kitchen staff, nurses, aides, PTA, parents, bus drivers, counselors, teachers.
“Teachers surprised kiddos with kind notes on their desks throughout the week. There are banners, sayings, speech bubbles throughout the school with kind words. There is a bulletin board with inspirational sayings from the staff,” said Berger. “We encouraged students to perform random acts of kindness towards each other, another class, or staff members.”
The lesson Berger hopes students take home from the Kindness Challenge is to share kindness.
“We hope all students are encouraged to continue sharing their kindness at home, in their communities, and in our world. We hope that this culture of acceptance, tolerance, unity, and respect continues well beyond our week here at Willow Creek. Because KINDNESS REALLY DOES MATTER!” said Berger.
