During this time of uncertainty, North Royalton City Schools’ students are trying to spread some joy by completing kind acts in their communities. Students at various grade levels throughout the District participated in the tenth annual Great Kindness Challenge the week of January 25.
North Royalton Middle School (NRMS) Intervention Specialist Annemarie Kish heard about this challenge through Unique Learning Curriculum: News 2 and decided to engage her students in many random acts of kindness.  All three elementary schools also participated in many kindness activities and service projects.
Students were given checklists of suggested kind acts to perform at the beginning of the week and were encouraged to complete as many as they could. Some of the checklist items included waving at people, helping your teacher, and reading a book to a younger student.
Students in Kish’s class at NRMS made “kindness hearts,” which were hand-made paper hearts with positive messages on them. These hearts were posted on classroom and office doors, welcoming teachers and students back to the buildings.  They also made “Bee Kind” signs with the logo chosen by an eighth-grade student and the coloring and creation done by all students. The signs were then placed around the school to serve as a reminder to be kind.   Students enjoyed making cards, too. The week continued with students and staff having the opportunity to take a picture in front of a sign in the atrium that Kish’s students made that said, “Be the ‘I’ in Kind.”  Each day throughout the week, five staff members were chosen to receive a “5 Reasons You Rock” award.  
Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista Elementary Schools enjoyed the themed days of their Kindness Spirit Week.  Some of these included “Shine Bright with Kindness,” “Kindness Rocks,” “Dreaming of a Kinder World,” “Powered by Kindness,” and “Kindness is our School’s Way!”  Students had fun wearing superhero gear, purple and gold spirit wear, PJs, and neon/sparkly clothes.
Participating schools will be recognized as  “Kindness Certified Schools” and receive a seal to exemplify this certification. 
Jill McManigal, co-founder and executive director of Kids for Peace, explains, “With many people feeling that our country is more divided than ever, there is a great need for unity, compassion, love and respect in our schools, communities, country and world. The Great Kindness Challenge provides students the tools, opportunity and encouragement to actively create a positive, happy and inclusive culture for all.”