What is kindness?
District 91 Superintendent Lou Cavallo asked students that very question at the Kindness Week kickoff assembly at Betsy Ross School on Feb. 10.
“It means to be nice to people, so they will be nice to you,” was one student’s response.
D91 students used their creativity to spread word about the importance of kindness during the village’s second annual Kindness Week, which ran from Feb. 10 through Feb. 16. Over 10,000 labels promoting kindness were distributed by over 50 businesses on Madison Street.
Amy O’Connell, Betsy Ross School first grade teacher and originator of Project Kindness and Kindness Week, was happy with this year’s event.
“The administrators, teachers, staff and students did an amazing job of promoting Project Kindness in all the schools,” said O’Connell. “Doors and bulletin boards were decorated with kindness messages, students worked on kindness-related service projects and the music teachers taught kindness songs.”
But the event had broader reach, extending from inside the schools to the community at large. Businesses collaborated with the school to distribute 10,000 labels, created by the students, to customers. McDonald’s, for example, gave out thousands of stickers on their food bags. Junction Diner delivered labels on cups. Brown Cow placed labels in freezer cases and handed them out to customers.
It’s only been two years, but already the event is growing. According to Scott Dunnell, Public Relations and Communications Manager for D91, plans are already underway for next year, with potential collaboration with the Park District of Forest Park.
“Next year, our park district has offered to host a family party at the end of Kindness Week to celebrate the spirit of kindness in Forest park,” said Dunnell. “What a great way to end the week.”
What is kindness?
District 91 Superintendent Lou Cavallo asked students that very question at the Kindness Week kickoff assembly at Betsy Ross School on Feb. 10.
“It means to be nice to people, so they will be nice to you,” was one student’s response.
D91 students used their creativity to spread word about the importance of kindness during the village’s second annual Kindness Week, which ran from Feb. 10 through Feb. 16. Over 10,000 labels promoting kindness were distributed by over 50 businesses on Madison Street.
Amy O’Connell, Betsy Ross School first grade teacher and originator of Project Kindness and Kindness Week, was happy with this year’s event.
“The administrators, teachers, staff and students did an amazing job of promoting Project Kindness in all the schools,” said O’Connell. “Doors and bulletin boards were decorated with kindness messages, students worked on kindness-related service projects and the music teachers taught kindness songs.”
But the event had broader reach, extending from inside the schools to the community at large. Businesses collaborated with the school to distribute 10,000 labels, created by the students, to customers. McDonald’s, for example, gave out thousands of stickers on their food bags. Junction Diner delivered labels on cups. Brown Cow placed labels in freezer cases and handed them out to customers.
It’s only been two years, but already the event is growing. According to Scott Dunnell, Public Relations and Communications Manager for D91, plans are already underway for next year, with potential collaboration with the Park District of Forest Park.
“Next year, our park district has offered to host a family party at the end of Kindness Week to celebrate the spirit of kindness in Forest park,” said Dunnell. “What a great way to end the week.”
