Overview

Cerritos Elementary School recently marked Yellow Ribbon Week with a series of activities aimed at promoting kindness and compassion among students. A highlight of the week was a classroom door-decorating contest, which was part of the national Great Kindness Challenge.

Students from 17 classrooms participated in the contest, showcasing their creativity and commitment to kindness. The event culminated in a pizza luncheon sponsored by Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital for the winning classrooms.

Key details

  • The Yellow Ribbon Week celebration included a classroom door-decorating contest.
  • Seventeen classrooms participated in the contest.
  • Two winning classrooms were selected by eight judges.
  • The winners included a sixth-grade class with 26 students and a third-grade class with 36 students.
  • Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital sponsored a pizza luncheon for the winning classes.
  • Hospital spokeswoman Cassie McCarty emphasized the importance of kindness in improving health and communication.
  • Third-grader Raul Rojas contributed to his class's “garden of kindness” project.
  • Raul shared that he wrote about helping his mom with chores as an act of kindness.
  • Sixth-graders Malia Smith and Maral Oksazian wrote letters to cafeteria and custodial staff to express gratitude.
  • Malia highlighted that the week teaches the ease and importance of kindness.
  • Other activities included “Buddy Day,” pairing older students with younger ones for reading and play.
  • A challenge encouraged students to complete 50 acts of kindness throughout the week.

Context

The Great Kindness Challenge is a nationwide initiative that aims to foster a culture of kindness in schools. Cerritos Elementary's participation reflects a commitment to instilling positive values in students.

What happens next

Following the success of Yellow Ribbon Week, it is anticipated that Cerritos Elementary will continue to promote kindness and compassion through ongoing activities and initiatives throughout the school year.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific criteria used by judges to select the winning classrooms and the overall impact of the week-long activities on student behavior are not confirmed.