In honor of National Random Acts of Kindness Week, two local educators are giving students the opportunity to spread joy to others.
Cindy Heady, guidance counselor at Country Heights Elementary School has organized activities for the school’s Random Acts of Kindess week for the past six years. Not only does she say the students love it, but they look forward to the week and work hard to earn honors such as the Kindness King or Queen.
“This year we also have spirit sticks for Kindness week to give out, so I think it will be a great week,” Heady said. “Past experiences, brainstorming with our team, blogs, websites, and Leader in Me resources are where I got most of my ideas.”
Heady has assigned a community organization such as the Owensboro Police Department, Daviess County Sheriff Department, Daviess County Fire Department, Owensboro Fire Department, and local doctors and dentists to each grade level. Students will write the organization appreciation notes as a random act of kindness. Each day, a Kindness Queen and King are chosen by the staff who have witnessed the student demonstrating kindness.
“My favorite aspect of the week is watching kindness spread through the building through different activities in class and in the building,” Heady said.
Alaina Gant, science teacher at Owensboro High School, leads the Acts of Kindness club, AOK, at her school. After six years leading the club, she said the mission is still the same- to ensure that every one that is a part of the OPS family feels valued and appreciated. Over the years, the group numbers have fluctuated, but they usually average six-eight students that help with the projects.
“I love this group for many reasons. Our meetings are great opportunities for our students to share and implement ideas on how to share kind vibes! I enjoy helping them put their plans into action and see them spread positive thoughts and happiness to the rest of our students, faculty and staff. We try not to leave anyone out,” Gant said.
Not only does AOK consider students, but also teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, custodial and kitchen staff, secretaries, instructional aids and members of our community. Gant says they have done several projects over the years including clothing and canned food drives, and making birthday, get-well, and thinking-of-you cards to students and staff.
Other projects include making posters with positive quotes or sayings to hang throughout the hallways, putting together treat bags for students receiving additional tutoring, collecting plastic lids for recycling and designing t-shirts to sell.
“I was once told that kindness is free, so we should give plenty of it away,” Gant said. “The smallest acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life, we try to make that happen as often as we can.”
