Acts of kindness add up for students

[caption id="attachment_13441" align="alignleft" width="270"] Sunset School preschoolers were the first to receive recognition for their acts of kindness during the week. They received gift certificates from the Half Moon Inn for their actions and are helping to reach a goal of 2,000 acts of kindness by World Kindness Day on Nov. 13.-Submitted photos.[/caption]

Students at Clear Creek Elementary and Sunset Schools are being rewarded for their good deeds by a local restaurant.

Sara VanHorn, a former elementary school teacher who works at the Half Moon Inn in Clear Lake, said she and others didn’t think kids were getting enough credit for the good things they do everyday.  That’s why she asked her employer to partner with Clear Lake Schools to promote kindness.

“Some of us at the Half Moon— Debbie Heine, Cathy Bancroft and I, were talking about promoting kindness, and the school seemed a great place to start. Cathy and I both used to teach at Clear Creek,” explained VanHorn.

The students have been issued a challenge to be “caught” doing 2,000 acts of kindness by World Kindness Day on Nov. 13.  If the goal is reached, their principal, Mike Barkley, will be duct taped to a wall.

To reach the goal, students have to be caught by school staff demonstrating an act of kindness at school.  They will be given a colored note to place on a rainbow displayed at their school.  Each Monday, 18 students from Clear Creek (kindergarten through fifth grade) and three from Sunset School (preschool) will receive gift certificates to the Half Moon.

“It will be amazing to see 2,000 colored notes forming a rainbow at the schools,” said VanHorn.  “I know they can do it.  It’s time the kids get recognized for all the kindness they show others.”

The Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter is pleased to feature these students who have been “caught being kind” each week leading up to World Kindness Day Nov. 13.