Yes, when you're "Caught Being Kind" at Walnut Street by a staff member, you receive something more than a pat on the back. Any student caught red-handed sharing with friends, using kind words, helping, or showing compassion receives a ticket. The more kindness tickets earned, the better the chances. Because every week, two tickets are pulled, and those weekly winners receive a free meal at Freddy’s Steakburger.
In Walnut Street's case, the steak—the true substance of the campaign—is the infrastructure and culture of kindness, and the sizzle—or the sales pitch—is, well ... the steak.
For a kindness campaign that is community-based in nature, "our partnership with Freddy's makes this possible," said DeMarco.
What also makes the whole thing work is the school's pre-existing PBSIS (Positive Behavior Support in Schools) initiatives, which support and anchor everything kindness-related. Recognition of positive behavior, reinforcement of expectations, and community partnerships are core facets of PBSIS that blend seamlessly with the Kindness Campaign, buoying both.
"‘With our PBSIS campaign and our Kindness Campaign, we have a school-wide and concerted effort to further enhance our positive school culture and climate," said DeMarco. "Our staff and students have worked together to recognize students and staff who are making a positive difference at our school."
Sure, WSE staff members hold the kindness tickets and issue them at their discretion, but they also practice what they preach. School counselor Sarah Gurczeski helps design lessons and activities steeped in kindness. Teachers Pauline Cerchio and Tisha Breslow lead PBSIS, and integrate its ideals into the everyday happenings at the school. Heather Coe ensures that Safety Patrol members embody and model the kindness they expect from every student, K-5. And staff members throughout the school provide their voices and leadership at assemblies, design bulletin boards, engage with families and the community, and serve as examples of what it means to be kind.
That's what has helped advance the Kindness Campaign at Walnut Street, an infrastructure and culture that demands and rewards positive behavior. They may be Wildcats, but these students want to get caught, because they know that when it comes to being kind, there's a lot at steak- ... errr, stake.