Songs emphasizing kindness echoed out of Hawley Elementary School’s gymnasium on December 21, when the school held a full-school assembly to celebrate its annual Kindness Month.

The school community spent the month of December learning about kindness, doing kind acts for others, and focusing on being kind. This year Kindness Month began with a visit by Westport author Karlin Gray on December 3. Her book, An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth, was later used as inspiration for the students to write what makes them an “extraordinary ordinary” person. Some of those written responses were shared at the assembly, and all of the answers will be turned into a binder at the school, as shared at the assembly.

The month was overseen by the school’s Kindness Committee, and the assembly on December 21 was led by language arts consultant Patti Vitarelli and school counselor Kimberly Shapiro. This year’s Kindness Month theme was Self Kindness.

Principal Christopher Moretti welcomed students to the assembly. He explained the school’s “special focus on kindness” comes together with the assembly.

Ms Vitarelli shared that this was the school’s sixth year hosting the Kindness Assembly. This year, students read what makes them an “extraordinary ordinary person” between singing chosen songs.

Some ways the students shared that they are extraordinary and ordinary are that they help their family clean up, they help friends, they are a good athlete, they persevere, and they like animals and help care for them. Each grade level led the assembly in singing a different song. Songs sung at the assembly included “Have it All” by Jason Mraz; “We’re Going To Be Friends,” as sung by Jack Johnson; and “Never Let You Down” by Colbie Caillat.

The final song of the assembly was “Nothing More” by The Alternate Routes. As the students and staff sang, arms wrapped around schoolmates and all in the gymnasium swayed to the beat of the song.

According to Mrs Shaprio, Hawley will also hold a self kindness day in January.