LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Moments of normalcy during COVID-19 may be fleeting; however, educators in the Lakewood City Schools are doing their best with students who are remotely learning from home.
Not only are kids keeping up with the curriculum, they’re also doing the same with school service projects. For example, this week at Lincoln Elementary School, 280 students -- ranging from PreK to grade 5 -- are participating in the “Virtual Kindness Challenge.”
“We’re just trying to keep school as normal as possible,” Lincoln Elementary School Principal Sandy Kozelka said. “In addition to posting morning announcements, the kids are used to doing a community service project every month.
“Now it’s ‘Virtual Kindness Challenge Week.’ The idea is just to give kids something to do that isn’t necessarily academic, but could spread a little kindness through their family and their neighborhood when they’re walking.”
Each day this week finds students completing a random act of kindness -- promoting kindness through making a sign or drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, writing a letter or email, telling someone what they’re thankful for or sharing a book.
“We think it’s really important that students know they’re part of something much larger than themselves,” Kozelka said. “By participating in community service, that helps them understand they have the power to make things better for someone else.”
One parent who is witnessing this firsthand is Angela Clunk.
"Lincoln is constantly giving back to the community and helping others through volunteering and donations,” Clunk said. “The ‘Virtual Kindness Challenge’ is a great way to continue that work, but in a safer way.
“We’re teaching the kids how to help and show appreciation as much as possible, regardless of the current situation, and that there's always a way to help and support each other -- no matter what.”
For example, her daughter, Coraline, a kindergartener at Lincoln Elementary School, drew pictures and wrote notes to thank the mail carrier, her teacher and the local grocery store for all the work they continue to do.
"People will feel happy when you let them know you're thinking of them,” Coraline said.
Added second-grader Caleb Chan, “This challenge is fun and helpful for our community to stay strong, stay positive and stay healthy.”
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