Kindness Week Preview 

Maddy McManus ‘20 and Sophia Anastaskis ‘20, Staff Writers

  Each year, Bethel High School dedicates the week of Valentine’s Day to celebrating kindness and giving back to our community. This year, the Kindness Committee has selected Bethel Social Services as the recipient of the donations and funds raised during the week.

   The Kindness Committee selected “Love Leads the Way,” as the theme of the week and Macin Tufts ‘20 designed the T-shirt logo for “kindness shirts,” which is a representation of Bethel shaped like a heart. Students, parents and community members can purchase a shirt in support of Bethel Public Schools’ Social Services. This organization is responsible for assisting students in need in a variety of ways: providing food, clothing needs, caps and gowns for graduates, school supplies, hygiene items and more. So far, over 1,100 shirts have been sold! 

      In addition to funding this organization, a portion of the funds raised throughout the week will benefit a graduating senior in the form of a Kindness Committee Scholarship. The recipient of the scholarship will be a senior who demonstrates exemplary levels of compassion, empathy and unconditional kindness to others. Both students and staff members will nominate a senior who they believe fits these criteria to recognize during the Kindness Assembly on February 14. 

     “The week is important for many reasons,” explained Ms. Lerz. “It brings our whole community (schools and town) together for a common cause.”

     Throughout the week, the Kindness Committee has planned daily themes and activities for students and staff. On Monday, Feb. 10, students will wear blue for the theme “Love Yourself” and will participate in an advisory dedicated to self-care and self-respect tips. The following day, students will wear maroon in support of “Love Your School” and participate in an advisory with a TikTok competition. In the spirit of friendly competition, students will celebrate Bethel High School with love and dance. 

     On Wednesday, students will wear white for the theme, “Love Your Community.” On this day, students are asked to donate nonperishable food items that will support the Bethel Public Schools’ Social Services. On Thursday, students will wear green to represent “Love Your Environment” and participate in a short advisory about environmental commitment. 

     Students will also have the opportunity to participate in Penny Wars during their lunch wave over the course of this special week. Each grade will have a jar where students can donate pennies for BPS Social Services. 

    Kindness Week concludes on Valentine’s Day, where students will wear their “Love Leads the Way” shirts and attend the Kindness Assembly in the gymnasium. Valentines will be distributed throughout the day. During the assembly, there will be a kindness proclamation and film, the presentation of the Kindness Scholarship, a guest speaker, a musical performance and a presentation to BPS Social Services. The winner of Kindness Week will be announced at the end of the day on Friday.

     Participating in Kindness Week helps foster a sense of community and positivity within the school community that students and staff can attest to. 

     Katya LaPierre, a senior at BHS, has participated in Kindness Week the past two years and is looking forward to another year.

     “Celebrating kindness is so important. It’s great to see the school come together to help make our community a more positive place,” said LaPierre.