MS Yearlong RAK Kicks Off with Guardian Gatherings
As seasons change and fall colors erupt, the middle school is beginning its second quarter. With it, we are launching a campaign called Random Acts of Kindness in partnership with the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to, “make kindness the norm.” The ESLRs of our school have a direct connection to kindness, asking students to be compassionate, servant-hearted, and collaborative. This campaign will continue throughout the school year, engaging students in the different elements of kindness; respect, caring, courage, inclusiveness, responsibility, and integrity.
Three grade-level Guardian Gatherings kicked off this event, with sixth graders on Monday, October 18, seventh graders on Tuesday, October 19, and eighth graders on Thursday October 21. The middle school counselor, Mr. Johnson, and assistant principal, Ms. Kershner, hosted the kick-off. This event also saw our middle school student council rise to the occasion by engaging their classmates with creative games on “acts of kindness” and performing a live skit. The skit focused on a falling out between friends and how to resolve it, with a steal-the-show performance by the one and only Mr. Trevino (P.E. teacher). Eighth graders were also treated to a special orchestra performance from their peers at their Guardian Gathering. In between the laughs and smiles of these activities, important seeds were planted in our youth around what kindness is and our calling to it. In Ephesians 4:32 we are reminded to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
As we launch into our theme of Random Acts of Kindness we are starting with a door decorating competition. Each grade level homeroom has one of the above-mentioned elements, and they will be competing to have the best creative representation of the theme. Elementary Guardian Ambassadors will visit the middle school the second week of November to help us determine the winners. We will continue to engage students in kindness through homeroom activities, Guardian Gatherings, student leadership, and counselor presentations. Next up, students will be treated to a student-written and led performance on inclusiveness.
If your student hasn’t shared anything with you yet, now is the perfect time to ask them what’s happening in middle school! The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation also provides ideas and resources on their website for families to participate in from home.