Students at H.C. Crittenden Middle School captured kindness and shared it throughout their school and community during the annual February Kindness Week celebration, filled with fun and impactful activities.
Students made heart-shaped “kindness receipts” for customers at DeCicco & Sons in Armonk that featured uplifting messages like “It doesn’t cost anything to be kind” and “You can always give something, even if it’s only kindness.”
They were such a hit that several community members called HCC to say that the gesture made their day, and the supermarket asked if it could continue distributing the messages after the week ended.
“It was rewarding to see the positive difference our middle schoolers made in our community,” Principal Kim Lapple said. “We want our students to know what a difference each individual can make when they are thoughtful and kind, and having them expand their universe of obligation beyond the walls of HCC is a great way to know they are impacting our community.”
The week, which followed the theme of “Capturing Kindness,” also featured “kindness coupons” given to students by teachers who observed kind acts. Coupons went to a student who got paper towels to clean up a water spill without being asked, and another who stayed behind after the bell to help put a game away.
“Both of these moments stood out to me as simple but meaningful acts of kindness deserving of the coupon,” seventh grade social studies teacher Christina Vezza said.
Students loved posing for photos with a kindness backdrop near the Bot Spot during lunch, and the group photos were displayed on the bulletin board. Middle schoolers also took turns standing in front of the “I” in the word “Kind” in a hallway for a video that played throughout the school.
There were spirit days, kindness-themed games during XPod and students made beaded kindness bracelets in the library.
The event, run by the School Counseling Department, brought a wave of positivity to the school, as new friendships were made and kind acts were plentiful.
“Kindness Week spreads awareness to students and reminds them of the importance of being kind, fostering inclusion and building connection,” school counselor Heather Graham said. “It’s important for students to be kind to themselves and each other.”
School counselor Elizabeth Manuele added: “While we want students to be practicing kindness throughout the year, the week really allows us to shine a light on the importance of kindness and the messages we share every day. We hope students carry these messages with them throughout the year.”
Mrs. Manuele noted the great contributions from the sixth grade members of Students Acting in Leadership, or SAIL. The students helped create the photo backdrop, chose kindness quotes and read them during the morning announcements and came up with the themed spirit days.
The sixth grade SAIL members agreed that Kindness Week was great for HCC.
Madeline Vataj felt the week brought awareness to the importance of being kind. Through Kindness Week, she said, “everyone knows that you should be kind and that everyone knows there’s kindness in the world.”
Ethan Marcus said the event helps increase school spirit. “Everybody seems happier and a lot cozier because there are a lot of special days when you can dress up and capture the kindness,” he said.
Patrick Donovan said: “I like Kindness Week because you get to spread the kindness and it’s really fun.”
Anna Ling noted the fun activities that could bring people together and make new friends, adding: “It’s just amazing.”
