Frenship’s Mental Health Minute includes a monthly theme and challenge. The theme for February is centered around Kindness. The idea for this theme is that students and Frenship families will actively recognize and practice kindness in their daily lives, fostering a culture of compassion and connection both at school and at home. 

This month, students will be challenged to think of one way in which someone has shown kindness to them this school year and find one way that they can show kindness to someone at their school. 

Frenship families are encouraged to share one example of how someone else in the family has shown kindness recently. After that they are challenged to show kindness to another family or someone in their neighborhood.  

Reese Education Center Counselor Elizabeth Rogers emphasizes the importance of fostering a mindset of optimism and kindness in everyday life, noting that it's a powerful ripple effect. 

“When I think of the word optimism, I think of having a positive attitude full of kindness, hope, and energy to serve others,” said Rogers. “It is contagious where individuals want to start a positive chain reaction whether at school or at home doing positive activities. Students and others can do just that with simple and practical ideas. It is free and does not take much time but truly makes a huge impact on others.” 

Research indicates that engaging in acts of kindness reduces stress, increases feelings of connectedness, and fosters a supportive community. 

“When students feel other students are being kind to them, they are willing to come back and re-experience that kindness that they experienced before. Additionally, kindness decreases cortisol levels which in turn decreases stress while improving mood,” said Rogers. 

Incorporating kindness into daily routines is simple, free, and can have a profound impact on students and staff. Small gestures, such as greeting others with a "hello" or "good morning," or asking, "How are you doing?" can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. 

"One of my favorite sayings that I like to say to my students is, ‘Thank you for coming to school today,’” said Rogers. “I am acknowledging that the student came to school and shows that I acknowledge and see the student.” 

Additionally, Rogers suggests that small acts of kindness, such as leaving encouraging notes, can uplift students, especially those struggling with self-esteem. A simple message like "You're awesome" on a sticky note can have a lasting impact, brightening someone's day and reinforcing a supportive school environment. 

In educational settings, kindness fosters a sense of belonging and improves student experiences. Research shows that students who experience kindness from peers and educators are more likely to attend school regularly, feel accepted, and develop empathy.  

At Reese Education Center, the Hope Squad exemplifies this impact by promoting kindness through peer support, encouraging words, and schoolwide events. 

“Our Reese Hope Squad is an example of a student organization that sets an example of what kindness looks like in and out of the school setting,” said Rogers. “As one of the student advisers, I am amazed how our student group demonstrates kindness organically by providing a listening ear, encouraging words, and activities that build kindness in our school building.” 

Through their actions, Hope Squad members create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued and connected.  

“This has made our school culture and climate more positive. Every time we have a Hope Squad event, I see more students that engage with our Hope Squad members. Our events have a lasting impact on our school and students. In fact, our students look forward to the monthly events,” said Rogers. 

Rogers wants to encourage students and families to make kindness a daily habit and intentionally incorporate it into their routines. 

“At home, teaching and modeling kindness is important for families to learn and experience. This is the first step for families to take because children take notice of what adults are doing. Also, when you see your child exhibiting kindness, you acknowledge that they are demonstrating kindness and praise their efforts. In addition, families can sit down together and compose daily goals of how everyone in the family can demonstrate kindness daily,” said Rogers. 

Teaching children that kindness extends beyond their immediate circle is an important lesson in fostering empathy and inclusivity. Rogers emphasizes that children naturally seek connection, and understanding how to extend kindness to others can help build a more compassionate community. 

“This is a huge concept for children to understand because as individuals we like to feel connected and never left out. We can build kindness that extends beyond the immediate circle by acknowledging individuals, inviting a fellow peer to sit with us who is alone, or just acknowledging them when it looks like they are having a difficult day,” said Rogers. “Parents can also model this behavior for their children while out in the community so that children can see what this looks like outside of the school setting.” 

The Frenship Counseling Department believes that by fostering a culture of kindness in schools and at home, individuals can build stronger, more compassionate communities. As February’s theme highlights, small acts of kindness can make a significant difference, improving both individual and collective well-being. 

For more information on Frenship’s Mental Health Minute, click here.