March 5, 2021 View as Webpage
Students Win With Kindness
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." – Joyce Lemke
While this school year has been unusual in many ways, the Stark community has followed through on its determination to continue to do what’s best for students - in this case, focusing on kindness.

As reported in our recent Issues article, "Kindness Brings the Community Together," several virtual events took place as part of this year's One Book One Community celebration. A video competition was newly added in 2021. The Neighborhood of Kindness Video Contest allowed teams of students in three categories (K-4th, 5-8th and 9-12th grade) to produce a three-minute video describing “If you were given $250, what would make your school, neighborhood or community a kinder place?”

The following three winners have been selected, and each will receive funds – donated by the Stark Education Partnership – to implement their idea:
Winner: K-4th Grade

"Look for the Helpers" – the 4th grade entry from T.C. Knapp Elementary School's Kindness Club – recognized the healthcare workers battling COVID. “At a time when we were staying in our houses to be safe, the helpers were all out on the front lines.... Healthcare workers are helpers, and helpers are heroes” the students exclaimed. Their prize of $250 will be used to create 500 thank you packages filled with beautiful cards and painted rocks decorated with positive messages. “We want to give them something they can hold onto, so when things are hard, they can remember someone out there cares about them.”
Winner: 5-8th Grade

East Canton Middle School 6th graders (Team B), planned a book program that partners with elementary students. Like Mr. Rogers, their goal is to spread kindness by interacting with more types of people. Students will use the $250 prize to purchase diverse books reflecting all genders and races. The 6th graders will pair up (socially distanced) with the younger students, read to them, and leave the book behind for the elementary students to keep. The desire is to improve the confidence and language skills of the younger students and "put a hop in their step.”
Winner: 9-12th Grade

Four Canton South High School students wanted to do something nice for all the teachers at their school. With additional help from members of the Student Leadership Program, 72 hand-written, personal letters of appreciation were written. “Every single one of our staff members deserves to be recognized, not just for teaching, but coming to school every day of the pandemic.” The letters were delivered personally and the smiles are visible even through the masks. Every teacher was asked what small thing they’d like to have in their classroom, and the $250 will be used to make that happen.
The Stark Education Partnership (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) collaborates with education, business, civic and community members across the entire spectrum – cradle to career – to create and respond to opportunities that will provide ALL students with education and career success.