By Ron Cole
Foster’s Daily Democrat
ROCHESTER, N.H. — Visitors who enter McClelland Elementary School, as well as those who pass by, have seen posters, banners and murals bearing a with a familiar word: Kindness.
The school recently adopted a program with a basic premise: “Imagine a world where actively caring for people is the social norm.” Begun in October, it rapidly infused the staff and students with a magical spirit that promises to become a part of the McClelland School every day.
In January 2019, McClelland second-grade teacher Loren Peet had a conversation with a teacher friend about Actively Caring for People (AC4P), a national kindness program in which she had participated.
One of the precepts of the AC4P program is a piece that acquaints and fosters kindness in young children. As McClelland students delved deeper into the program, they became familiar with the core principles of kindness: helping, sharing, encouraging and inclusion/friendship. This not only gave them an opportunity to be kind, but also to learn of its values.
After hearing of AC4P, McClelland teachers Lisa Forsley and Morgan Rowell joined Peet, and over the summer they approached Principal Michelle McAlister and the staff planning committee, where they found support for the local initiative.
“Everybody was excited to get on board,” Peet said.
The program emphasizes responsibility, that everyone has to care and look after those around them by performing acts of kindness and recognizing when someone performs an act of kindness for them.
The program, which included all 400 student members and school staff, was formally launched Oct. 8, with banners hung in the halls promoting kindness and signs on the outside of the building. Each classroom has two kindness bracelets that are shared each day by students who performed an act of kindness. Each day students are distinguished as kindness ambassadors by virtue of one of the two kindness bracelets, signifying their contributions to the betterment of all.
Peet was pleased at how well the program has been received by the students and how they have shown acts of kindness. “This has taught them about human nature and kindness,” she said, noting “it is so proper to teach them this young.”
The children learned quickly what the program does.
“If you see someone being bullied or treated rudely, you can stand up for them,” said student Carolyn Gregoire.
Carolyn shared her reaction to the program, saying “I am so proud to be a part of it, I don’t like to see others sad, I like to help them.”
Wyatt MacDonald saw an opportunity to help, saying, “You can ask if someone wants to play with you.”
D’yante Shepherd found if she saw “someone sad, I could cheer them up by playing with them and talking with them.”
Staff members have also been the participants of kind acts. Student Guliani Perez sent a note to teacher Miss Kelly complimenting her. “A little smile can make somebody’s whole day.”
“This has caught on like wildfire,” said McAlister, “and will be ongoing. It has made our school very proud.”
“I am so proud of the work that went into bringing this initiative to Rochester,” said Superintendent Kyle Repucci. “Through this program, our teachers, staff and students will be able to actively support one another, learn from each other and make their school a better and kinder place.”
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