High school students worldwide face stress in their daily lives, whether it is due to college applications, homework, sports, friends or their upcoming test. Through all of this, the Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School community is there for all students. “It’s important for people to know that their school is a place where they can come and feel safe,” said Amarilis Garcia-McMillian, a 12th grade leadership student at IBW.
Annually celebrated during the second week of November, Global Kindness Week recognizes the importance of spreading kindness throughout communities across the world. Inspired by this worldwide initiative, IBW leadership is planning a variety of activities to prioritize students’ mental health and promote small acts of kindness within the IBW building.
While Kindness Week at IBW may not take place during the same time as Global Kindness Week, the leadership students are committed to spreading kindness and mental health awareness within the IBW community. They plan to bring back the mirror that previously sat near the Vermont entrance of IBW, which was covered in positive affirmations. They also plan to make and hang posters around IBW.
One of the most exciting activities they are planning is bringing back the baby goats that visited IBW in spring 2023. According to Garcia-McMillian, it’s likely to be the most popular part of the week, but leadership is also planning other fun ideas, such as hosting a yoga or art class during flex.
“Kindness is such a basic thing and we lack it so much,” said Garcia-McMillian. “It’s so easy just to smile at people or wave at someone.” Even small acts such as holding the door for someone, asking to be their partner during a class activity or giving them a compliment, can make someone’s day and help them to feel better about themselves.
People build up many insecurities that others may not even notice, oftentimes a small compliment is all it takes to make someone’s day. “There’s times after I get my hair done and people will be like, ‘I love your hair!’” said Garcia-McMillian. “Even that small compliment just builds up so much self confidence.”
You never know what people have going on in their lives, so it is incredibly important to make people feel welcome. “I know it is a common saying but treat people the way you would want to be treated,” said Garcia-McMillian.
Prioritizing kindness and mental health will not just be for students. “We are doing kindness [week] with teachers as well,” said Garcia-McMillian. She suggests bringing flowers to teachers as a way to show them how we appreciate their contribution to our school community.
While leadership students have many ideas for Kindness Week activities, they are still in the planning stage and are welcoming suggestions. If students have any ideas, they should stop by the leadership classroom, room 143, to share with Lisa Klein-Wolf, the leadership teacher.
