Second in a series
Re “Values Week at El Rincon – Random Acts Are Practiced”
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Principal Reggie Brunson and Ali McCann
As the second day of El Rincon Elementary’s latest imaginative project, Random Acts of Kindness Week, begins this morning, it is instructive for the community to know that the students are intensely involved, participating actors in this drama. They are not passive observers merely parroting back what they hear.
During the first Random Acts week a year ago, as parent Ali McCann recalled, children from every grade participated in a video, each detailing his or her own definitions of kindness.
“Then we had a slide show of the children to show what they were doing during the week,” Ms. McCann said while standing before a wall-mounted record of scores of photos of last year’s successes.
The ultimate objective of Random Acts Week is very straight-line. It scarcely could be more purely idealistic.
“We are encouraging students to think of special ways they can practice kindness toward others,” Ms. McCann said as she helped Principal Reggie Brunson design these five memorable days.
“Kids often hear how they can change the world. I remember when I was 10 years old. I wondered, ‘How can I change what is happening in Australia?’
“We want the children to look at how they can change their world, the one they are living in – school, home, stores they go to.”
Question: Are there different emphases for upper and lower grades?
“The assemblies,” Ms. McCann said, “are for all grades. The children have been sent home a letter with a package of eight leaves (on which to inscribe random acts of kindness they have performed). They are asked to do two kindnesses a day, one at home, one at school.”
Are El Rincon students given hints about suggested acts?
Some distinctions are drawn. Kindergarten students have been given pre-printed leaves. They just have to check boxes on those they have performed. Older students cut out the leaves and bring them to school where they will be placed on a parent-built tree.
(To be continued)
