“Random Acts of Kindness” week was from February 14-20 and here in Avon there was a week full of fun. Everyday of the week there was a small act of kindness that was encouraged.

For staff, Monday was “give a coworker a thank you note for something they have done recently.” For students, it was “write Valentine’s Day cards to nursing home residents.” Tuesday, staff were to “compliment five different people.” Students were to “write a positive compliment/note on a heart and stick it to a student’s locker.” Wednesday, staff and students were to “write a thank you note to your real life superhero or mentor.” Thursday, staff could “treat a coworker or a friend to a little item such as a coffee, pop, or candy.” Students were asked to “tape a heart to a family member’s door with why you love them.” Lastly, on Friday, staff were encouraged to “reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.” Students did not have school.

On Thursday there was a guest speaker to wrap up the week. Nicole Phillips came from Aberdeen to tell the whole school her story. Although Phillips may have won a car on The Price is Right and found a new home on HGTV’s House Hunters...she has had a fair share of ups and downs in life. When Phillips was younger, she went through a tough time with her mother marrying a man in prison, a time where she tried to commit suicide, and a cancer diagnosis resulting in her being a breast cancer survivor. Philips had a hard life, but wanted to do everything to become happy. She has now written two books: Kindness Is Courageous: 100 Stories to Remind You People Are Brave and Kind and Kindness Is Contagious: 100 Stories to Remind You God Is Good and So Are Most People. The message she gives is to teach the world about the transformation power of kindness.