Kindness in Action: How Washington Elementary Transformed Their School Culture
Washington Elementary embarked on an incredible journey, aiming to document 5,000 random acts of kindness in just 15 days. This ambitious initiative not only met but exceeded expectations, transforming the school culture and setting a powerful example for schools everywhere.
The challenge began with the creation of a “kindness wall” where students were encouraged to write down acts of kindness they had done or witnessed in the school. However, as the days went by, the wall quickly ran out of space. Undeterred, the principal decided to let the kindness spread, and boy did it!
How It Started
The Impact of Kindness
Research has shown that kindness in schools has numerous benefits, including reducing bullying, increasing empathy, and improving self-image. Kindness also fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for students’ emotional and social development[2][6][8].
“Kindness is a powerful tool that can change the world,” said one student. “It makes everyone feel happy and included.”
A Perfect Kick-Off
“Having a Think Kindness assembly was the perfect kick-off to our kindness challenge. It inspired our students and staff to embrace kindness and make it a part of our daily lives. The impact was immediate and profound,” said the principal Dr. Johansen of Washington Elementary.
The Power of Kindness
Kindness is not just a feeling; it has tangible benefits for both the giver and the receiver. Studies have shown that acts of kindness can increase serotonin levels, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being[6][8].
“Kindness is contagious,” said another student. “When someone is kind to me, it makes me want to be kind to others too.”
Creating a Culture of Kindness
Washington Elementary’s 15 Days of Kindness Challenge is a testament to the power of kindness in schools. By incorporating kindness into their daily lives, students and staff created a culture of empathy and compassion that continues to inspire.
References:
[1] https://www.wholechildcounseling.com/post/how-to-celebrate-and-promote-kindness-in-schools
[2] https://www.unconditionaleducation.org/blog/spreading-kindness-a-week-of-compassion-and-community
[3] https://www.manateeschools.net/cms/lib/FL02202357/Centricity/Domain/1392/The-Great-Kindness-Challenge-2018-Toolkit.pdf
[4] https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com
[5] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/Kindness-Guide-for-School-Staff.pdf
[6] https://www.fhcds.org/post/~board/homepage-news/post/5-benefits-to-teaching-kindness-in-school
[7] https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/resources/for-individuals/articles/the-importance-of-kindness-in-schools/
[8] https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-kindness-essential-reduce-bullying-lisa-currie
WRITTEN BY | BRIAN WILLIAMS
Brian Williams is a Global Impact Speaker & Founder of Think Kindness. He has spoken to over 1.1 million people across North America, documented 3.1 Million acts of kindness, traveled to 19 times and has collected over 300K pairs of shoes for children in need.
