Chancellor Livingston Elementary School completed its first Unity Week, continuing to focus on its school message of Keep Kindness Going.
CLS Unity Week came as the nation celebrated National Unity Day, which raises awareness of bullying and promotes unity by encouraging people to wear orange as a symbol of unity against bullying. October also is National Bullying Prevention Month.
“It boosted everybody’s confidence, and everybody wanted to be kinder and realized it’s fun to be kinder,” said fifth grader Ellie Cruickshank. “If you’re kind to another person, kindness will come back. Kindness makes a person feel better and you could always feel that joy knowing you did something well and kind to a person.”
CLS had a theme for each day on a shortened four-day school week. Students wore orange on National Unity Day, pajamas on a day to put bullying to bed, something that best represents them and school colors on the final day as part of the district’s homecoming weekend.
CLS Unity Week also featured dignity for all student presentations for grades three, four and five; read aloud during lunches for kindergarten, first and second grades; peer leaders facilitated unity by making sure students have opportunities to have positive conversations during lunch; team building and classroom activities.
“Their response has been great and they did participate,” said Brett King, who credited Michael Kirk, assistant principal, for organizing Unity Week.
King added that Keep Kindness Going started with Kindness Week during 2024 Valentine’s Day week and students are reminded of kindness during other school events such as Pinwheels for Peace.
King said another theme day will be planned between Thanksgiving and the holiday recess.
“I’m promising you that we will make time for this,” King told students. “Other things won’t keep us from continuing this discussion.”
Cruickshank added, “I think it’s very cool what they’re doing and I appreciate it a lot.”