Field fourth-graders coordinate plan to spread kindness

Field Elementary School fourth-grade students coordinated a schoolwide, surprise effort to spread kindness on World Kindness Day.

At the fourth-graders' suggestion, each class in the school made kindness cards to give to their buddy classroom. Students didn't know, however, that other classes were also creating kindness cards for a schoolwide exchange. The cards were paired with small gifts, like boxes of crayons, keychains, water bottles, or small toys, donated by local organizations.

"Our students are so kind and thoughtful, and it was incredible to watch them through this process," said Kate Lapetino, fourth-grade teacher at Field Elementary School.

"Their excitement was palpable as they were creating cards for their buddies. Seeing the surprise and appreciation on their faces when they realized they had received kindness cards in return was so rewarding."

The surprise coincided with World Kindness Day on Nov. 13. Throughout the year, Field students have focused on ways to show kindness through random acts like greeting someone in the hallway, holding open a door, or offering to help.

Students track acts of kindness - performed by themselves and others within and outside of the school - by following #fieldkindness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Generous donations from Indian Trails Library, Wheeling Police Department, Lakeshore Learning, Traffic Tech and Nanooze Magazines made the kindness surprise possible.

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