Schools throughout Geneseo CUSD #228 are making plans to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 15-21, encouraging students and staff to focus on compassion, respect, and positive connections throughout the district’s five buildings.
“Random Acts of Kindness Week is a meaningful opportunity for our schools to pause and reflect on the power of simple, thoughtful actions,” said Dr. Laura Delgado, Superintendent. “When our students and staff choose kindness—whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or an inclusive gesture—they help create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.”
Kindness Week is designed to highlight the impact that small acts of kindness can have on school culture and individual well-being. Schools across the district will take part in a variety of activities aimed at helping students recognize the importance of empathy, inclusion, and gratitude.
Southwest Elementary: Southwest will celebrate Kindness Week with activities focused on gratitude, encouragement, and positive connections. The week will begin by recognizing and thanking the school’s support staff for all they do.
Each morning, fifth-grade students will share messages during announcements highlighting different ways to show kindness. Throughout the week, staff will give out kindness hearts to students who are “caught being kind.” Hearts will be entered into a daily drawing, with selected students receiving small prizes. Drawings will begin Tuesday and continue through Friday.
Staff members will also participate by sharing compliments and words of encouragement with one another, continuing the spirit of the school’s popular Christmas Tree Compliments activity. Optional kindness activities will be available for classrooms that wish to participate.
Northside Elementary: Northside will celebrate Kindness Week with a schoolwide Kindness Olympics focused on recognizing and promoting acts of kindness. The week will begin with an Opening Ceremonies video featuring a student “passing of the torch.” Students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue.
Throughout the week, classes will participate in two challenges: the Kindness Jar, where classrooms earn pompoms for acts of kindness observed by staff, and the Kindness Sticky Wall, where students record and display kind actions they see or receive. Daily results will be shared during morning announcements.
The celebration will conclude on Friday with an Awards Ceremony, where medals will be awarded for both challenges. Grade levels are encouraged to wear their class color as the school comes together to celebrate kindness.
Millikin Elementary: Millikin will celebrate kindness schoolwide through interactive and community-building activities. Students will help create a Kindness Wall by writing or drawing about a time someone was kind to them or how they plan to show kindness. These reflections will be displayed in the hallway as a visual reminder of the positive impact kindness has throughout the school.
Staff members will also “catch” students being kind by handing out Kindness Hearts to recognize thoughtful actions. Students can turn their hearts into the office for daily drawings and recognition. Classrooms may also participate in an optional Kindness BINGO activity to encourage even more acts of kindness. In addition, both students and staff can submit Staff Shout-Outs to recognize employees who demonstrate kindness, with daily celebrations throughout the week.
Through these activities, Millikin will fill its halls with positivity, appreciation, and joy while celebrating the power of kindness.
Geneseo Middle School: GMS will celebrate Kindness Week with a variety of activities designed to spread positivity, strengthen connections, and build a supportive school community.
Throughout the week, students will participate in all-school kindness activities. On Monday, homeroom classes will watch a “Choose Kindness” video and play Kindness Bingo. Wednesday features “What I Need Wednesday,” where students can share and reflect using cafeteria bulletin boards and kindness notes. On Friday, students will take part in special WIN period kindness activities organized by grade level or house teams, such as Silent Ball outside, walking with a friend, or classroom-based kindness projects. To keep the positive energy going, “Be Happy” music will play during all lunch periods throughout the week.
Each day also includes a themed dress-up activity to encourage participation and school spirit. Monday focuses on comfort with pajamas and cozy wear to highlight that feeling safe and comfortable helps us treat others kindly. Tuesday is Twin Day, encouraging students to include someone new by dressing alike. Wednesday emphasizes the power of words, inviting students to wear shirts with positive messages. Thursday’s theme, “Be the Reason Someone Smiles,” calls for bright colors, tie-dye, or smiley faces to spread joy. On Friday, students will “Wear Your Heart” by dressing in red, pink, hearts, or kindness-themed shirts to celebrate the week’s impact.
Staff members are also invited to participate by writing kindness notes to colleagues using cards available in the staff workroom, offering a simple but meaningful way to show appreciation.
Geneseo High School: GHS will include random acts of kindness messaging over announcements each day, and each student will receive a card with a motivational saying, as well as a Jolly Rancher on their desk to show the staff cares about them.
KINDNESS, POSITIVITY, AND APPRECIATION THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOLS
In addition to encouraging kindness toward others, the week will also emphasize the importance of self-kindness and personal well-being. By fostering these values, the district hopes to reinforce a supportive learning environment where all students feel respected, valued, and connected.
The Geneseo school district is proud to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week as part of its ongoing commitment to building a positive and inclusive school community.
“In Geneseo, we believe that strong schools are built on positive relationships,” said Dr. Delgado. “By intentionally focusing on compassion, empathy, and gratitude throughout this week, we are reinforcing the values that strengthen our five buildings every day and preparing our students to lead with character both inside and outside the classroom.”