School Climate & Safety

Sticky Notes Send Encouragement, Praise Random Acts of Kindness

By Gina Cairney — March 01, 2013 2 min read
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An act of kindness begets an act of kindness, and not only does it feel good to do good, but getting positive feedback from our goodness can boost self confidence, even in children.

Students at Dixie Bee Elementary School in Terre Haute, Ind., are getting the chance to bask in the glory of friendly, spirit-boosting sticky-note praises thanks to a program launched by a local nonprofit called Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness, or SPPRAK, the Tribune Star reports.

On a large banner in a hallway, students and staff members place sticky notes of praise and goodness they witnessed or experienced, like lunch being shared, doors being held open, or toys being put away after recess.

Dixie Bee is the only elementary school in Vigo County participating in the program, but SPPRAK is hoping to expand the sticky-note praises to all 28 schools in the county.

Random acts of kindness are happening all over, and giving positive feedback and inspirational, confidence-boosting notes isn’t unique to just Dixie Bee.

First-graders at Greenville Elementary School in Nokesville, Va., participated in 100 acts of kindness, according to the Fauquier Times-Democrat, during Random Acts of Kindness Week last month.

The students’ acts of kindness included placing door hangers throughout the school that said, “Make it a wonderful day.” They also hid 150 “kindness” cards around the library, the Times-Democrat reports.

On a broader scale, Operation Beautiful uses the same Post-It note delivery method but focuses more towards cultivating positive body image, especially among teen girls.

Women and girls who participate in Operation Beautiful leave anonymous notes in bathrooms (or anywhere, really) with positive memos like “you are beautiful” or other ego-boosting affirmations.

And reminders to smile, because smiling just makes everything better.

In the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in December, journalist Ann Curry inspired a movement to get people to commit random acts of kindness, bringing to fruition the #26Acts hashtag on Twitter.

Now that you’re inspired, go forth and spread some kindness. And don’t forget to smile.

Image: OperationBeautiful.com via Operation Beautiful on Pinterest.

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Rules for Engagement blog.