Chicago Heights School District 170's Roosevelt School has initiated the Kindness Counts program to teach, model, and remind students to be kind and respectful towards each other.
Laura Lobue, a Social Worker at the school, is spearheading the initiative that has seen students revel in participating in the activity by performing random acts of kindness interspersed throughout the day.
"The acts of kindness that students have been working on so far this year include greeting someone, saying 'please and thank you,' and being a good listener," Lobue said.
"During morning announcements, students not only learn about the act of kindness but also repeat the Kindness Pledge as a reminder of their commitment to behaving in a positive manner during their daily routine."
An integral part of the program is the Kindness Garden that recognizes students who go above and beyond the norm in their efforts to show kindness and respect to their teachers and classmates.
Every two- to three-weeks, teachers select a student who has consistently demonstrated acts of kindness. A photo of the student is taken and displayed in the Kindness Garden. At the end of the month, Ms. LoBue plans a particular activity for all of the students who have been recognized in Kindness Garden.
The first activity was painting Kindness Rocks, which were placed in the courtyard at Roosevelt School. Students also were allowed to take a painted rock home to help remind them to spread the acts of kindness there, too.
Teachers also encourage their students to discuss any acts of kindness that they have done or observed. One student told her fourth-grade teacher, Louis Pignotti, that she smiled at an older lady at the grocery store and that the elderly lady smiled back.
The school staff have become active participants in the program with many purchasing "Kindness Rocks" t-shirts to promote the activity at school and wearing the shirts at a school/community fundraiser to remind others to be kind.
Roosevelt School Principal Erin Salamon is pleased with the program's progress and looks forward to the long-term positive benefits that the activities will provide.
"I wholeheartedly agree with Laura that the Kindness Counts program not only promotes positive behaviors at school but also provides students with an understanding of the importance of spreading kindness in every corner of our community," Salamon said.