Throughout the month of February, Liberty Elementary students and staff participated in a "Kindness Crusade," a school-wide initiative led by teacher Mrs. Bouwman and the Student Council. The month-long event engaged the entire school community in meaningful acts of service and creativity, fostering a culture of compassion that extended well beyond the classroom.

A Month of Kindness in Review

The celebration was structured with weekly themes, each designed to help students visualize and practice kindness in different ways:

• Week 1: Door Decorating Competition The crusade launched with a collaborative project where each class decorated their classroom doors with heartfelt kindness messages. District leaders visited Liberty Elementary to assist the Student Council in selecting winners for the competition:

  • Kindness Theme Winner: Mr. Maroney’s 5th Grade Class

  • Creativity Winner: Ms. Henneman’s 6th Grade Class

  • Overall Winner: Mrs. Jorgensen’s 1st Grade Class

• Week 2: Becoming the "I" in KIND The second week featured an interactive "Be the ‘I’ in KIND" bulletin board created by Mrs. Bouwman and the Student Council. Every student wrote down a personal goal for showing kindness and posed in front of the board to act as the letter "I" in the word "KIND." These photos were compiled into a music video and displayed in the school hallways to inspire the student body.

• Week 3: Recognizing Community Kindness LINKS The focus shifted to "Kindness LINKS"—individuals in the Murray community whose roles involve service. The school extended appreciation to the Murray Police Department, Murray Fire Department, school nurses, and bus drivers. Additionally, the Student Council led students in creating a massive paper chain, providing a visual representation of how individual pledges of kindness link a community together.

• Week 4: Preparation and Process During the fourth week, students began the artistic process of painting "Random Acts of Kindness" rocks. This week focused on the intentionality behind their work, turning simple stones into unique messages of hope and encouragement.

A Lasting Legacy: The Kindness Rock Garden

The Kindness Crusade culminated in a project designed to leave a permanent mark on the school grounds. Every student at Liberty Elementary hand-painted a kindness rock to be featured in a newly created Random Acts of Kindness Rock Garden.

Located directly at the main entrance of the school, the garden serves as a visible, lasting representation of the collective spirit of the students. Visitors, parents, and community members are invited to stop by the front doors of Liberty Elementary to view the masterpiece and enjoy the students' creativity.

The Kindness Crusade provided a powerful opportunity for Liberty students to recognize that their individual actions create a stronger, more compassionate community. Congratulations to the students, staff, and leadership at Liberty Elementary for a successful month of service.