Recently, Oak Ridge Elementary students were welcomed into the school with a bubble party. Students walked through a cluster of bubbles and received their very own bottle of bubbles with a note that stated 'Hope your day is bubbles of fun'. This peppy welcome is a part of Project Kindness, an initiative headed by Michelle Buck, the Lead Speech-Language Pathologist, to spread throughout Oak Ridge and beyond.
Throughout the year, Buck and students across the campus have been engaging in random acts of kindness. One month, they handed out flowers with positive sayings on them and another month they did lollipops that had positive sayings. Sayings might include things such as 'You are amazing', 'You are smart', 'I believe in myself', etc.
Buck decided to start this project because she believes in the power of a small act of kindness.
“Kindness can change a person's day, kindness is contagious,” said Buck. “It is so important, especially in the world we live in today, to teach our students not just the importance of academics, but the importance of being a good person.”
Students from all grades and classes at Oak Ridge are encouraged to participate in Project Kindness. In the mornings the students volunteer to pass out goodies and during the school day, Buck utilizes the kindness activities for students in her speech therapy sessions. They will help her pass out things to teachers while working on these pragmatic skills such as greeting others, making eye contact, and staying on topic.
Buck stated that she is passionate about this project because a small act of kindness can truly change a person's day.
“We don't know what our students and staff members are going through in their daily lives, so making school a safe, fun, and loving place to be is so important,” said Buck. “Even just walking through the hallway and telling a little girl how pretty their dress is and that you are excited to see them today - you can just see a change in their face.”
Throughout the year, Buck has seen the students and staff flourish under the care of the project.
“To see the looks on the faces of the children have been amazing,” said Buck. “Regarding the staff, I feel like they have enjoyed the little bits of kindness and I hope that they feel how special and valued they are at Oak Ridge.”
The goal of 'Project Kindness' is to make sure everyone knows they are loved, appreciated, and valued. Hopefully, staff and students will pay it forward and these small acts of kindness will trickle outside of Oak Ridge.