Rome, GA - The West End Elementary motto for the 2022-2023 school year is one of empathy, enthusiasm and altruistic motivation as they work diligently to uphold their mission to "see the need, be the change.”
“Over the past few years, we have all seen a need for kindness,” Assistant Principal Lisa Strack said, “and we want to be the change at WEE. We feel that kindness is a great start to making a difference in our school, community and even the world.”
Under the umbrella of the Seeds of School Kindness Initiative, WEE recently received a grant from the Choose Kindness Foundation. With the goal of building compassion, empathy and resilience through mindful kindness, the foundation offered WEE a grant worth $2,000, some of which they have already begun putting to good use.
“With this grant money,” Strack explained, “we will host kindness pep rallies, participate in kindness weeks, and develop a kindness crew made up of student leaders.”
Strack explained that school-wide kindness expectations such as being friendly, showing appreciation, reaching out to those in need, and offering help to others have been instilled in all members of the WEE family. All classrooms are equipped with visible posters that display those expectations and they are reviewed daily as a reminder to Be Kind.
“We have been so impressed by our teachers who have played an instrumental role in this initiative as they have been instilling kindness lessons and activities in the classroom,” Strack smiled.
As the tides of life may bring about uncertainty and adversity, WEE faces all things in solidarity. With their best feet forward and their hearts full and open, they stand ready and willing to be the change.
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