East Williston students joined schools from around the globe for the annual Great Kindness Challenge Week and learned how a safe and joyful culture can have unforeseen benefits for their community.

The student run initiative at Willets Road School was launched by the Student Government and Constitutional Convention Representatives with encouragement from the DASA (New York State’s Dignity Act) committee. In order to get all students engaged, they developed the idea to create a heart-shaped kindness award which is given out as an acknowledgment of a random act of kindness. Hearts can be handed out by students or teachers when they observe or hear about an act of kindness.

While the Great Kindness Challenge traditionally runs for one week, the students at Willets Road School have decided to keep it going throughout the month of February, a testament to their excitement over doing something nice for others and understanding of the benefits of kindness.