Students at Columneetza Junior Secondary School in Williams Lake are launching a Kindness Campaign to promote a culture of generosity and compassion in the community.
Spearheaded by the student council – a new addition to the school this year – as well as Vice Principal Alina Cameron, the campaign is a way to encourage students to be a positive part of their community.
“Start a ripple, create a wave,” said Sunet Engelbrecht, a Grade 7 student and member of the student council.
To help kick off the campaign, she and fellow student council members held graded assemblies to talk about how all the students can foster kindness within their school and across the community.
“One act of kindness can lead to another,” Engelbrecht explained.
The students have set up a ‘Be Kind’ board in the school’s main hallway which their peers can contribute to with cheerful notes and acts of kindness they witnessed or experienced. They are also running a contest to encourage fellow students to donate non-perishable foods, and have already collected about 100 items to give to a local food bank.
“We encourage everyone to participate, as it is through these shared moments that we can inspire one another to act with kindness daily and stand up against bullying,” said Hattie Darney, Columneetza’s principal.
Engelbrecht said she hopes the campaign will help spread kindness throughout the community and, perhaps, to other schools.
The student council was formed just this year to enable students to be leaders beyond the opportunities to do so through their Leadership class.
“They’re the representatives of the voice of our students,” said Cameron while explaining how the council allows ideas for campaigns to come straight from the students.
It’s easy to have an adult tell students what to do, she said, but: “it’s more powerful when their peers are the force for the movement.”
The student council has also helped with fundraising for a school playground, and with brainstorming ideas to make it accessible for varying student needs.
“I’m beyond proud of this group,” said Cameron, adding it's been an inspiration to watch members of the student council, the majority of whom are the school’s youngest students, stand up and share their ideas.
While the Kindness Campaign began on Feb. 26, coinciding with Pink Shirt Day, the council has already begun to gather ideas for what’s to come next.
The student voice is here to stay, as Cameron said ideas are already forming for the next school year.
