Classes in Robert Little Public School in Acton have taken a year-long Kindness Pledge, with the goal of holding regular activities designed to teach students the value of being kind to one another.
The pledge project, borne during last month’s Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, was spearheaded by Vice-principal Trevor Dykstra and teacher Gina Vidak. Activities included creating friendship cards for fellow students, designing t-shirts with a kindness message, reading books with a kindness theme, lessons from the school’s Child and Youth Counsellor and the Kindness Pledge.
The Kindness Pledge began with classes reading aloud the book Beard in a Box, explains teacher Jean-Paul Cousineau, whose Grade 5 and 6 students have taken on the pledge.
“This book focuses on what makes you awesome and in the book a little boy wants to grow a beard like his dad because his dad is awesome. The little boy buys “Beard in a Box” to grow a beard but it does not work. The dad then shaves and explains to the boy that to be awesome you need to be a good friend with your actions, not just your words.”
Following the reading of the book, Cousineau says his class started brainstorming ways to be kind, and the pledge was posted on the class door, where it remains. He says students took their role very seriously in determining what values the pledge should contain.
“The Kindness Pledge will allow us to revisit how to be a good friend throughout the year and maintain positive energy in our room, he says, noting the curriculum connections with this kind of activity are deep including well-being, language, and media. “Being kind is a skill that can be learned and needs to be built upon throughout their education. All in all the students enjoyed expressing their feelings, both positive and negative throughout the week as we completed the activities.”
Students say they learned that being kind makes the world a better place.
“If you’re being kind, then hopefully everyone will be kind to you,” says Grade 6 student John.
Colleen Golightly, Principal at Robert Little PS, says the Halton Hills school is a place where kindness is “taught, supported and celebrated.”
“I am not surprised at the amazing work being showcased in Mr. Cousineau's class in regards to kindness and the Kindness Pledge,” she says. “Mr. Cousineau is often observed using teachable moments to support his students in developing skills in listening and being empathetic to one another.”
