During the week of February 27 to March 3, Newtown Middle School students took part in a number of activities that were designed to celebrate the school's community.

NMS social studies teacher Shari Oliver and Assistant Principal James Ross coordinated the week. Ms Oliver shared on Friday, March 3, the week included different activities during lunch waves. Each day of Community Week had different opportunities for the students to take part in activities.

Ms Oliver said the week was a joint effort with the school's Student Council and School Climate Committee.

According to a calendar of the week, activities included a "Mix-It-Up Lunch," which had students sit at tables with other students they may not normally sit with and learn about each other using conversation starter cards; posting to a "Kindness Tweet Board," which was a board set up to have students write Twitter-inspired words of kindness about their fellow students and school staff; learning greetings in other languages; and participating in a game of Friendship Bingo, which had students move around the cafeteria to learn different things about students while filling out a Bingo card that listed different interests students may have.

For next year, Ms Oliver said the school is thinking of holding the Community Week closer to the start of the school year.

"It's a good way for kids to get to know each other," said Ms Oliver.