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These Patriots Are More Than Kind; They're Certified

This year, we're highlighting what our schools are doing toward our three primary district goals: attendance, kindness, and academic achievement. Today, it's the Cedar Grove Patriots.

Cedar Grove Kindness Certified photo 1
Above, Cedar Grove Elementary School Supervisor Christine Manna (top left) and Principal Stacey Monetti (top right) stand behind Patriot students Gemma Grimes, Curtis Reeves, Adam Harxhi, and Alex Harxhi, who are displaying their newly-achieved kindness certification. Right, a student adds to the "Who were you kind to today?" wall.

Cedar Grove Kindness Certified photo 1

Effort to 'make gratitude intentional' recognized

Dec. 2, 2024-- You know you're achieving your goals when an independent outside organization says you are, and with documentation to prove it.

Cedar Grove Elementary School has been recognized as a Certified Kindness School by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Supervisor Christine Manna has been committed to the culture and climate of the school community, and fully embraced the 2024 Kindness Campaign. She is a member of the district's Kindness Committee and has been instrumental in the creation of PK-12 kindness lessons that have been implemented throughout the district. During her research, Manna learned about the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. She saw this as an opportunity to make kindness intentional at Cedar Grove.

"One of our overarching goals within the district's kindness campaign is to make gratitude intentional," said Principal Stacey Monetti. "Sometimes the pace of a school year seems so fast that there is little time to pause and reflect on all the things of which to be grateful. Giving and receiving gratitude is a kindness. It's one way to 'see' and 'be seen.'"  

With that goal firmly in place, along with Manna's awareness of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and, in turn, the foundation's awareness of Cedar Grove, good things seemed inevitable.

But what, specifically, earned the school a formal certification in kindness?

Among those notable initiatives is the Library Check Out Surprise. Students are designing bookmarks with messages of kindness, which are then discreetly placed in books throughout the school library. This thoughtful gesture is intended to delight students as they discover these surprise messages when they check out books, fostering a culture of kindness that continues to grow.

Thanks to the generous support of Spire Coffeehouse, students have also been decorating coffee sleeves over the past couple of weeks, each adorned with uplifting designs and heartfelt messages, spreading kindness beyond the school walls, one cup at a time.

The school implemented a "Who were you kind to today?" board for students to share acts of kindness happening in the school. A "Staff Shout Out" board for students to recognize teachers and staff members was also established. Additionally, individual classrooms recognize students who demonstrate kindness each week, and there are monthly recognitions for Cedar Grove's "Models of Good Character." The school organized a coat drive to benefit Grandmother's Cupboard and collected supplies to be sent overseas to service men and women by the organization Always Supporting Our Military.

The school celebrated World Kindness Day, which was Nov. 13, by participating in a “Moment of Kindness.” Classes discussed the impact a single moment of kindness can have, and decided how to spend that moment: sharing a smile, giving a compliment, or offering a helping hand.

"Our students have truly embraced the spirit of kindness, and it's heartwarming to see how their creativity and compassion continue to make a difference both within our school and the wider community," said Cedar Grove Supervisor Christine Manna. "The recognition as a Certified Kindness School is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the students, staff, and community to promote kindness and create a positive, supportive environment for all."