3 minute read
Be KIND People Project
Our world is changing. When you turn on the news, watch TV, or listen to conversations around you, there are examples, one after another, of stories of hurt, injury, or pain. The world seems to have forgotten the simple lessons of being kind to one another.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Phoenix Christian elementary has accepted the challenge to build a culture of kindness. Through partnerships with The Be Kind People Project, our staff and students focus on 10 essential skills of kindness. The year started with the BE KIND Dance crew and Baxter from the D-Backs hosting an interactive assembly to teach us what kindness means. During the assembly we pledged to:
Be Encouraging, Be Supportive, Be Positive, Be Thankful, Be Helpful, Be Honest, Be Considerate, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be a Friend.
Each month, we highlight a different Kindness skill in Chapel and the classroom. Our morning starts with shout-outs for teachers and students who we “caught” demonstrating kindness skills. As an administration, we visit the classes to teach specific character education lessons. The month culminates with Star Student awards, where each grade recognizes a student who best exhibits that month’s kindness skills.
We now have a common focus and language that unifies the grades and brings an awareness of how we should act.
Cultivating a shift in culture takes time and persistence. Gradually, one can observe emerging indications of a fresh outlook and mindset permeating the entire campus. The other day, as I was walking near the playground, Anna, one of our 1st graders, called out, “Mrs. Sianturi, look, I am picking up trash. I just wanted to be kind.” Elementary teachers have shared that through this initiative, we now have a common focus and language that unifies the grades and brings an awareness of how we should act. The daily shoutouts and monthly star students motivate our students to reach new goals. 3rd Grade Teacher, Mrs. Newhall shared, “It is a morale boost each morning to start the day with recognizing students in positive ways.”
As with any goal, we have room to grow and improve, but we are also learning that when we make mistakes, we can apologize and forgive. Our theme verse for the year is Ephesians 4:32: “Be Kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ultimately, the key to kindness is Christ. Our prayer is that as we grow in the knowledge of Christ and His saving work, then together, we can grow in our kindness one to another.
