The Staunton Kindness Challenge is a year-round initiative designed to foster and celebrate a culture of kindness in all of our schools and the broader Staunton community.
The initiative is a fun and engaging way for students to practice and gain a new sense of gratitude, empathy, and compassion.
“It’s our commitment to practice kindness and positivity throughout our schools and our community,” said Dr. Garett Smith, Superintendent. “We are setting in motion an intentional shift towards respect and goodness. Ultimately, this translates into a more positive learning environment for everyone.”
SCS hopes to magnify the positive energy that comes with both shared and private acts of kindness.
“We’ve been fortunate to have the example of true leaders of kindness in Staunton, like Principal Jim Kivlighan Sr., who passed away earlier this year. Jim came to school every day with a generous spirit and practiced kindness with zeal and compassion,” Smith said.
SCS kicked off the Kindness Challenge with a fun week of themed activities and spirit days Dec. 6-10. Staunton City Council also honored the week with a
proclamation (pg. 38) during its Dec. 9 regular meeting.
SCS will continue to host events, provide opportunities to show unity, and coordinate special activities to raise awareness of and excitement for the new initiative.
“We’re uplifting our students and teachers by encouraging them to actively seek out acts of kindness,” Smith said.
Every school will host Kindness Days on the second Friday of each month for the remainder of the school year. We look forward to continuing the Staunton Kindness Challenge for years to come!
