Fifth Annual Virginia Kindness Week 2024

Virginia Kindness Week is February 11-17, 2024!

Virginia Kindness Week Flyer

The purpose of Kindness Week is to recognize that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play.

In this bulletin:

Making the Case for Kindness

Kindness Week Kick-Off Webinar

Kindness Week Ambassadors

Kindness Week Challenge Boards & Idea Banks

Kindness Prompts

Kindness Week T-Shirt Fundraiser

#GoOpenVA Kindness Week Resource Library

MAKING THE CASE FOR KINDNESS

You may be wondering, with everything educators are responsible for, is there time to teach kindness?

It’s a fair question. We know that teachers, administrators, and school staff are stretched. We know kindness initiatives are often seen as “extra” or “one more thing” on an already full plate.

The truth is, as educators, kindness is one of the most powerful tools we possess. Likewise, as humans, our ability to be kind is linked to our happiness and success. But don’t take our word for it! In the document linked below, we selected three challenges facing school communities right now and looked for evidence to see if kindness could truly make a difference. Making the Case for Kindness

KINDNESS WEEK KICK-OFF WEBINAR

All those who register will receive resources and the recording (even if they are unable to attend live).

Virginia Kindness Week Kick-Off Webinar Flyer

Kindness Week Kick-Off Webinar Registration

KINDNESS WEEK RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES

Kindness Week Ambassadors

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their kindness? Take the time to recognize them publicly as Virginia Ambassador of Kindness.

Print this Kindness Ambassador image (PDF), and present it to the student or educator you wish to recognize. Then take their photo holding the poster for a bulletin board, your school’s website, and/or a social media posting (#VAKindnessAmbassador).

Kindness Week Challenge Board

Students and adults are challenged to complete a Kindness Challenge Board during Kindness Week. Participants identify seven acts of kindness they plan to complete during the week and record them in their Kindness Board. Virginia Kindness Idea Banks can be referenced to help with ideas!

Kindness Idea Banks

Younger Student Kindness Idea Bank: Idea Bank (color version) Idea Bank (black and white version)   Older Student Kindness Idea Bank: Idea Bank (color version) Idea Banks (black and white version)

Kindness Prompts

Schools can use the “I can show kindness by…” and the “kindness matters because…” posters to promote discussion around kindness and recognize ways we can be kind. Staff can encourage participation in this discussion by sharing responses via visual displays, slide shows, social media (#VAKindnessWeek), etc.

Virginia Kindness Week T-Shirt Fundraiser

This year, all proceeds from the Virginia Kindness Week T-Shirt Fundraiser will be donated to the Lucia Whalen Bremer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The light bulb design is inspired by Lucia Bremer whose name means light. Lucia lived up to her name. She was kind. She shined a light on others and brought out the best in people. She was and continues to be a beacon of hope.  Please consider posting and sharing this Kindness Week T-Shirt Fundraiser Flyer or (black and white version) with your school staff, parents, and students.

T-shirt Fundraiser ends February 1, 2024!

#GoOpenVA Kindness Week Resource Library

For more ideas and resources, be sure to check out our growing resource library.

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