BCOE - Great Kindness Challenge

Student Events

Great Kindness Challenge

What was your favorite act of kindness you completed off the check-list? How did it make you feel?

"Cut out ten hearts and give them away. It made me feel good!"

-Evelyn, Ophir Elementary School

"My favorite was hug your friend, it made me feel happy."

-Honey, Ishi Hills Middle School

"Entertaining my little brother, made me feel awesome."

-Ryen, Ophir Elementary School

Why do you think it's important to be kind towards others?

"Because if there isn't kindness there isn't fun and the world wouldn't be nice."

-Oliver, STREAM Charter School

"I think it's good to be kind to others because there may be that person you run into that is just not having a good day and there is an act of treating people how you would like to be treated."

-Anastasia, Ishi Hills Middle School

"So bully's don't spread."

-Dmitrii, Ophir Elementary School

"Because you never know if they are having a bad day."

-Lyssa, Ishi Hills Middle School

"Because if no one is nice people will bully and you will have no friends."

-Ava, Ophir Elementary School

"Because you don't know what happens to them at home."

-Dallan, Ishi Hills Middle School

"Kindness is important so everyone is kind not evil."

-Airean, STREAM Charter School

"I think it's important because everyone should be happy."

-Ayla, Ishi Hills Middle School

Which act of kindness do you look forward to doing this week?

"Hold the door open for someone."

-Arean, Ophir Elementary School

"Helping people when they fall."

-Aurora, Ophir Elementary School

"I want to give my friend a hug."

-Lila, STREAM Charter School

"Helping my mom."

-Drew, Ishi Hills Middle School

"Smiling at twenty-five people."

-Emery, STREAM Charter School

Special Thank you to school staff!

The "Great Kindness Challenge" was a wonderful opportunity to promote kindness and positive interactions with individuals. It provided students with a reason and goal to challenge themselves to do things beyond their 'normal' behaviors. It was inspiring to see students brainstorming ways to help others, make our campus a more positive environment and to have fun with the themes for each day.

-Shauna Butler, Ishi Hills Middle School

Seen students be a lot more kind, respect others boundaries, and listen to teachers more.

-Ophir Elementary School

I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.

Send Peaceful Pen Pal letters to other kids in the USA. Sign up here.
Create an entry for the "I am Powerful" Kids for Peace Book “Contest.” This will be our 5th book. Flier & Book Entry Form.
Write and mail a card to a senior citizen who can no longer receive visitors due to the COVID-19 situation. If you don’t know an elder to write to, you my send a generic card to a “Grandfriend” at your closest senior living facility.
Hold gratitude circles at dinnertime.
Call or FaceTime friends, Grandparents, or Grandfriends just to say hello.
Make up a poem with a positive message.
Write positive messages on Post-It Notes and place on mirrors in your house.
Make Peace Rocks. Paint rocks with kind words and place them around town to delight your neighbors.

I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.

Do household chores without being asked - make your bed, pick up your toys, clean your room/bathroom.
Whenever possible, avoid time with people outside your family to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Offer to pick up mail or run errands for elderly neighbors and leave shopping bags on their doorstep.

I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.

Take a hike or visit the beach and pick up litter along the way.
Learn about recycling in your community and discover something new.
Water your plants, pick weeds.
Harvest seeds from fruits and replant them.
Learn about composting and practice in your own garden.

I pledge to respect people in each and every land.

Discover something new about a different culture or a different country.
Listen to music from different parts of the world.
Pick at least one country from each continent and discover their favorite food/dish.

I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.

Send letters or cards to Senior Homes, Memory Care, Hospice facilities since they are not able to have visitors at this time.
Spend time taking care of your pet - feed them, brush them, walk them, clean up after them.

I pledge to do my part to create PEACE for one and all.

Design your own string of peace flags using old clothes, paint, or whatever materials you have available at home.
Create a kind rainbow.

The Great Kindness Challenge is one week dedicated to creating a culture of kindness on campuses nationwide. The Butte County Office of Education, along side our schools are proudly participating in this proactive, positive bullying prevention initiative. Students and adults will receive a GKC Checklist with 50 kind deeds. We are encouraging everyone to complete the checklist and show the world that kindness matters!

How To Participate:

To sign up your school or classroom, go to the Great Kindness Challenge Website. Once there, you will be required to make an account, and complete a short registration process before receiving all the necessary materials. Including Kindness Checklists (Standard and Jr. versions) as well as a Great Kindness Challenge Toolkit, which will help you implement the challenge at your school. The Toolkit also contains ideas for other activities your school can do to help spread the kindness.

THE GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE IS

WEEK OF JANUARY 23rd - 27th, 2023

Great Kindness Challenge Website: http://www.greatkindnesschallenge.org/

For more information,

Contact Student Engagement and Events Manager Mary Ellen Garrahy