Oakland students take on kindness challenge

Students at Bella Vista Elementary School participated in The Great Kindness Challenge throughout last week, Oakland Unified School District officials said.

Monday through Friday students worked to perform 50 acts of kindness.

School officials held assemblies each morning, quotes about kindness were read aloud each day and stations were set up at recess for students to work on acts of kindness.

Linda Flynn, Bella Vista Elementary School principal, said in a statement:

“It’s a national campaign to reinforce that kindness matters.”

Monday, students and staff tied ribbons to a heart on a fence to show their commitment to the challenge and to being champions of kindness.

Tuesday, all the students gathered and had their photo taken as they stood in the shape of a heart. The students in the front held up letters that spelled out the words, “Kindness Matters.”

Flynn said:

“Many people feel that our country is more divided than ever. There is a great need for unity, compassion, love and respect in our schools, communities, country and world. The Great Kindness Challenge proactively creates a culture of kindness and prevents bullying on school campuses.”