Kindness Matters

The following remarks were delivered to during Lower School Closing Ceremony:

It is wonderful to have all of you here to celebrate the completion of another incredible school year, that was fueled by teachers who sparked imagination, questions, and creativity.

It is a special tradition of gathering to honor the students and faculty who played an integral role in the year's success and to recognize the fifth graders transitioning to middle school next year.

In keeping with the theme of basing my remarks on a children’s book, I again reached out to Ms. Golas, and she recommended Todd Parr’s The Kindness Book. I wanted to highlight the ways we, as a community, have worked to be kind.

While some of you might be wondering why I’m focusing on kindness and not curriculum, I would argue that without kindness none of the learning would happen to the depth that it does. As I was considering themes for today’s remarks, I was also motivated by the study done by scientists at Harvard and Yale who found that one act of kindness could impact 125 people in one day. Kindness is contagious! Each page of The Kindness Book reminded me of the ways the Lower School infused kindness into every school day, which is what I want to highlight today.

As Todd Parr writes, Kindness is thinking about people’s feelings and making them feel good.

Teachers noted the ways students regularly go above and beyond to ask about their teacher’s family or weekend plans showing a genuine interest in connecting.

When a student was reluctant to go to the Addams Family show (concerned about things being "scary,") a nearby student took out his hand and said, "You can stay with me." and walked hand in hand together to Share.

The Core Values in Action Task Force worked to make recess and lunch better for all. They made the recess rules clearer and introduced Friday free choice seating – if you included everyone who wanted to sit at the table. They thought about others!

Third graders stopped by offices and classrooms to share poems to inspire others.

Kindness is saying thank you to those who help others.
The First Graders made sure to thank the kitchen staff for providing us with yummy meals by making a huge thank you poster.

Many of you wrote incredible notes of thanks to teachers and administrators when we celebrated teacher appreciation week.

The Lower School was recognized for not one, but 6 Community Service Awards awarded by the Parent’s Independent School Network for the phenomenal service work we have completed over the year.

 

PreK students made cards included in the bags of food the Kindergartners stuffed on one of their trips to Rose’s Bounty.

Speaking of Rose’s Bounty, the Fifth graders worked to box, bag, and load over 200 boxes of food. All the while smiling and greeting the people who pulled up for their food.

Kindergarten students picked up used snack bags left on the field and wrote a letter to the community when they found many wrappers stuck in a drain.

 

Each classroom planted seeds and tended to them in our green house until it was time to plant them in the garden.

Fourth graders took the initiative to create a watering schedule for the garden.

While apple picking, students made sure that no one got lost in the corn maze!

5th graders rallied to cover each other's lines during rehearsals when people were absent. When a student fell sick and had to miss the Musical performance at Share, other students quickly stepped in to make the show go on without a hitch.

Fourth graders were extremely welcoming to the children who joined in the Fall. New students felt like they had been a part of the community from day one.

The Lower School made everyone feel welcome with the design of their Pride Flags that were proudly paraded around the field on Wednesday.

The Diversity Lunch Bunch cultural luncheon was a beautiful representation of inclusion as students shared important food and beverages from their cultures.

Students watched out for friends who were picky eaters. They made sure to put aside their favorite snacks so they wouldn’t go hungry.

Regularly kids spent recess time making sure classmates were feeling included and if someone was spotted playing alone, someone approached them to ask how they could help.

On the 100^th Day of School, Second Graders performed 100 acts of kindness.

Students thought about others when they saw people following the Core values this year. There were over 200 gators given out! Between the 200 gators and the 100 acts of kindness in one day, imagine how many people were impacted in the community by these acts! Ms. Connaughton would love us to do the math!

It was a year where kind acts were seen, felt, and noted. As we remember the remarkable acts of kindness that all Lower School students have participated in, today also marks a special occasion to celebrate our fifth graders who will embark on a new adventure this coming fall.

Moving on to middle school is an important milestone, and I have full confidence that if you bring imagination, your insatiable appetite for questions, AND you lead with kindness, you will leave your mark in the middle school!  

Fifth graders, as you begin your next adventure consider author Todd Parr’s advice, IT’S EASY TO BE KIND! Congratulations on successfully completing the Lower School!