Students at The Children of St. Martha Elementary

By Lara Fominoff

Kindness Project

Practicing kindness: The Children of St. Martha Elementary School students offer messages of hope, faith and love

Apr 17, 2019 | 4:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Barely able to contain their excitement, dozens of students at Children of St. Martha Elementary School, proudly carrying signs of hope, faith, love and encouragement – burst through the doors of their school in west Lethbridge Wednesday morning, to the sidewalk outside.

There, they held their signs high above their heads, adjacent to McMaster Boulevard reading “you are loved,” “never give up,” “peace be with you,” “stay strong,” “be kind to one another,” and “you’re someone’s sunshine,”- among many others.

As motorists noticed the children spanning more than half a block, many slowed down, honked their appreciation, waved to the children and even turned their vehicles around to see the signs once again.

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It went so well, the students even did it again, in the afternoon.

The display was what teachers Colleen Maier and Laurie McIntosh along with Principle Shannon Collier called, “an exercise in kindness.”

While Collier says the school regularly undertakes projects to teach the children a variety of lessons, this one she said, was inspired by a book written by author Peter. H. Reynolds, called “Say Something.”

Maier, who teaches Grade 1, says Reynolds has written several books encouraging children to find their own voice. So, on Tuesday, April 16, all of the students made posters with words they thought others might like to hear.

Students hold signs of encouragement

“And we thought it was nice… being this is our week right before Easter. We’re always encouraging our children just to find ways, even as young people, that we can make a difference.”

Maier explained how she and other teachers undertake the projects not only as part of their faith, but to show the children that small efforts can make a big difference.

“For me, the biggest reason I do these things, is because of those kids in my room and in our school. To see the smiles on their faces; to know they’ve made a difference, to see the reactions when people go by, it’s who we are.”

“We have a culture of care and love,” said Collier. “A culture where there’s empathy. We’re family here.”

Students were excited to share their messages with passersby

That’s echoed by McIntosh, who is a Kindergarten Teacher.

“We practice kindness throughout the year. It’s kind of infused in everything we do. Our kids wear ‘kindness capes.’ It’s our own little hashtag and we put on ‘kindness capes’ and go out into the community. So, this is something that I feel like the more practice they get, the more comfortable they become with it. Kindness is a habit, just like everything else.”

And just reading the book in the classroom inspired the students’ messages that she says wouldn’t normally be associated with children who are 5,6 and 7 years of age.

“Teaching them that their voice matters, that they can make a difference, that what they do matters. That’s just a life lesson, no matter where they go,” concluded Maier.