Later this month, students at Central Elementary will participate in a very important project. The Great Kindness Challenge works by challenging students to complete a checklist of 50 kind acts toward others in an effort to urge kindness over bullying.

Students will learn about the benefits and possible results of being kind to others during classroom counseling lessons.

Students will also be invited to participate in the Kind Coins for KenyaCampaign. It is a global service project to help build anew school in a Kenyan village.

Counselor’s Corner

Mrs. Lauren Kershner 434-946-9700

Kind Coins for Kenya Campaign

What

For adesignated period of time, students collect spare change at home and in neighborhoods to be donated forthe new school.

Who

All students are invited to participate.

When

During the week of The Great Kindness Challenge, January 25 - 29, 2016.

Why

  1. All children in the world deserve to go to school.
  2. Giving to others teaches compassion.
  3. Learning about global issues helps students to be active global citizens.
  4. This is a dynamic way to fulfillone of the 50 acts of kindness, “Make a wish for a child in another country.”
  5. To unify all Great KindnessChallenge schools around one common service project. Kindness is working together!

How (at school, students will…)

  1. Watch the “Kind Coins for Kenya” video.
  1. Use the video as catalyst to discuss the need for a school inKenya’s Mikei Village.
  2. Help raise funds to build a school in Kenya.
  3. Students collect spare change around the house, ask neighbors to contribute, host alemonade stand, or any other creative way.
  4. At the end of theweek, collect the money and count it.
  5. Write a “wish” incorporated and incorporate in into a photo for the new school’s Wall of Wishes.

Where does the money go?

All collected money goes to Kids for Peace, the nonprofit that hosts the GreatKindness Challenge. Kids for Peace is partnering with an NGO in Kenya to build the school.

What is the money used for?

Donated money will be used to build a new school in Kenya. Our goal is tobuild a fully equipped 6 room school for approximately 200 students ages 4-8 years old.

Counselor’s Corner

Mrs. Lauren Kershner 434-946-9700


“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.”

—Bob Kerrey

Why should people perform random acts of kindness?

They are the easiest way to make a difference right now, in this moment. You don’t need to make a donation or spend a bunch of time organizing a philanthropic event. You simply need to take what you already do, and then add kindness to it. Already wake up in the morning? Why not text a positive message to a friend. Already go to work? Post positive sticky notes around the workplace. It’s as easy as that.

Also, scientific studies show that performing acts of kindness actually improve health and life satisfaction. They increase: energy, optimism, self-worth and our sense of belonging and connection in the world. PLUS they decrease anxiety, depression and blood pressure.

Be on the lookout for the checklist students will receive on Monday, January 25, and use throughout the week.

Next month:

International Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 9-15, 2015.

Counselor’s Corner

Mrs. Lauren Kershner 434-946-9700