Kindness Begins With Me!

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 50

This project was a joy to implement, and it took different paths as the students actively brainstormed ideas of how to spread kindness, and encourage new friendships. With the purchase of the Cricut machine, we were able to make t-shirts, posters and a very special quilt. Students in the Kindness Club created t-shirts that had a "peanutized" (from the Snoopy cartoons) version of themselves to show their uniqueness and diversity, the back of the shirts reminded all students to 'CHOOSE KIND'. The idea that the students came up with for the t-shirts was a bit more complex than I first anticipated, and involved some different materials than first anticipated but I feel that the impact was so much more meaningful for the students involved. Throughout the year, the Kindness Club participated in many activities to spread kindness, including posters and chalk graffitti, a kindness secret mission, special notes and thank yous for other students and staff. one of the most special actvities was a quilt that was created from pictures drawn by members of the Kindness Club and Friendship Ambassadors, personalized by the Cricut machine and sewn together by a volunteer. The quilt was sent to a school in the Florida Panhandle that was effected by Hurricane Michael to comfort and encourage the students; it let them know that we had been through a similar experience with Hurricane Irma, and that eventually life does get back to normal. The projects of the Kindness Club were recognized by the Jewish Federation of Southwest Florida and recieved a 'Stand Up For Justice' award. Even though this grant was for a cricut machine, and some t-shirts, the comradery this brought for the students, and the benefits of spreading kindness to other students, staff and the community went far beyond anything material or tangible, I think that it grew many hearts.