NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck public schools will participate in The Great Kindness Challenge the week of Jan. 22 through Jan. 26.
The challenge is an international kindness initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement by spreading kindness, according to the challenge’s website. The goal of the challenge is to perform as many acts of kindness as possible.
“Naugatuck is a very special place and the Great Kindness Challenge is an amazing initiative, so we just had to participate. With all of the negative things going on in the world today, it is vitally important that we teach our children to be kind. As adults, role modeling kindness is the best way to teach our children. If we want the children to be kind, then we must show them how to be kind,” said Lorrie-Anne Monte, a counselor at Naugatuck High School.
In the borough, the challenge will be led by Naugatuck Youth Leaders, a collaborative program between Naugatuck High School and Naugatuck Youth Services. Naugatuck Youth Leaders is encouraging the entire borough, including businesses and organizations, to participate.
“The goal is for every willing person to complete as many kindness activities as they can during the week,” Monte said.
Monte said “kindness checklists” with acts of kindness will be posted on the district’s website, naugatuck.k12.ct.us, and the high school’s website, naugatuckhigh.naugatuck.k12.ct.us.
She said people don’t have to complete the checklist, and random of acts of kindness would be greatly appreciated.
“We hope that the Naugatuck Great Kindness Challenge will inspire the entire town of Naugatuck to choose to be kind,” Monte said.
Naugatuck Youth Leaders is also selling kindness T-shirts as a fundraiser online at www.customink.com/fundraising/naugycares to support future community service activities.
For more information on Naugatuck Great Kindness Challenge, email Monte at lorrie-anne.monte@naugatuck.k12.ct.us or Naugatuck Youth Services Executive Director Kristin Mabrouk at kmabrouk@naugatuckyouthservices.org.
