North Bay school students learn the power of kindness in community-wide challenge
We all need a little kindness in our lives every day and a North Bay elementary school is really taking this idea to heart with different activities this week.
North Bay elementary school students are spreading kindness in the community as they learn
It is all part of 'The Kindness Project' put on by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s North Bay and District (CMHA).
Students are learning that kindness comes in all shapes and sizes.
From writing cards for their bus drivers to making treats for the puppies at the North Bay and District Humane Society and even going out in the community to spread the love as a class.
Close to 400 students at Maple View Public School have taken on a challenge to promote kindness to one another this week in as many ways as they know how.
"It’s a new school and we want to get known around the community as being a nice school,” Grade 6 student Ryanne Lamarche told CTV News.
Thursday afternoon, students were out and about on Norman Avenue delivering decorated 'kindness' rocks to homes, hand-delivering cards to people on the streets or leaving them in mailboxes, writing uplifting chalk messages on the sidewalk, cleaning up litter and singing songs to bring some cheer.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"There’s a kid in my class named Robby. I was walking out the door and he held the door for everyone for like five minutes,” said Lamarche.
She and Grade 5 student Kieran Sargent were chosen to be the school’s honorary 'Kindness Ambassadors,' and they’ve been spreading the love by going from classroom to classroom to see how their peers are promoting compassion and goodwill.
"You want to just spread that kindness because it can make someone just really feel like they belong," said Sargent.
North Bay elementary school students are spreading kindness in the community as they learn
"Even if someone is being a little mean to you, maybe you can be kind to them and they’ll be kind to you back and then to someone else. It’ll start a chain reaction."
This Kindness Project is a community-wide challenge hosted by CMHA as part of its Mental Health Week.
This year’s theme 'Be Kind' is simple but mighty and centres on the idea that compassion connects us all, which school staff and students have fully embraced.
North Bay elementary school students are spreading kindness in the community as they learn
"The response has been phenomenal. They’re just really taking off with ideas," said CMHA North Bay and District CEO Mary Davis.
"It’s definitely something we need to teach and continue to teach."
On Friday, the school will hold an assembly to celebrate the week and recognize community partners who contribute to the school community, proving just a random act of kindness can always brighten someone’s day.
"Be kind to one another," Sargent said.
North Bay elementary school students are spreading kindness in the community as they learn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been "successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant."
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.