In January, the Lower School celebrated GDS Kindness Week and the Great Kindness Challenge, a global campaign promoting kindness in schools. The event was kicked off with an assembly, where 4th grade student leaders spoke about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. They introduced songs, welcomed student representatives from each grade to share examples of kindness, and previewed some of the community activities for the week ahead.
Throughout the week, students took part in various activities designed to promote kindness, such as writing letters of appreciation to school staff members and making paper loops for each act of kindness they observed—the paper chain has wrapped its way nearly around the entire second floor! Students were encouraged to think about how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world.
GDS is committed to instilling values of respect and compassion in students. The Lower School’s participation in the Great Kindness Challenge and Kindness Week is just one way that our students are learning to be caring, global citizens.