Staff Info for 2023-24

Kindness is Catching!

Since we started our Kindness Matters campaign in 2021, we've seen interest in the Staunton community grow. This year, more businesses, families, students and friends joined us in our mission to spread kindness at the Kindness Matters Walkathon and during our kickoff week. We encourage all staff to support this worthwhile endeavor to spread good deeds and good vibes in our schools and community. Thank you for your support!

Kindness Grows Here

Our theme for the year centers around growing kindness in our learning community, being kind to our planet and growing in kindness to ourselves. Our activities this year will support these concepts.

Coins for Kindness

During October, we're supporting Jones Gardens with a Coins for Kindness drive. Jones Gardens is a valuable community partner that brings gardening education into our schools and food demonstrations that teach students how to make healthy and tasty meals. There are 13 days left to drop your loose change in the marked jars in your school's front office! The school with the most coins gets the huge outdoor KIND sign displayed on their school lawn for a month! In 2024, we'll support two other vital partners, Project Grows and Shenandoah Green.

Kindness Activity Calendar

Check out our activity calendar for the year. It includes Kindness Day reminders, Coins for Kindness info, and ideas for kindness to yourself, others and our planet.

First Friday, Kindness Day

Our monthly Kindness Day is the first Friday of every month, from November to April. We encourage everyone to wear our Kindness Matters t-shirt or hoodie and the Kindness Matters wristband on Kindness Days!

Kindness Ambassadors

We're now taking nominations for student and staff Kindness Ambassadors. Ambassadors will be recognized on our monthly Kindness Day, starting November 3. We've got some sweet rewards for our winners, too! All staff and middle and high school students are invited to submit online nominations. Elementary students are invited to submit their nominations in the Kindness Ambassador comment box at their school.

#Kindness on Social Media

When you post about our kindness campaign on social media, please use the hashtags #KindnessMattersSCS, #StauntonKIND or #kindnessgrowshere. Remember to share photos and news about Kindness Matters activities in your building! Email [email protected] or Ruth Jones Turner, director of strategic planning and public relations.