Since 1998, World Kindness Day has been recognized every Nov. 13. At Miramonte, physical education and yoga teacher, Dallas Nicolosi, marks the occasion by launching a kindness project in her yoga classes. The project aims to inspire students and spread positivity around campus.
This past year, Nicolosi celebrated the day on Nov. 13 and 14 so that yoga students in both her block periods could participate. She began each class by asking students if they knew what day it was, then introduced the concept and history of World Kindness Day. Students were given time to talk with classmates about their experiences of receiving or giving kindness. Nicolosi then shared with the class her personal stories of receiving or giving kindness, after which the students shared some of their own stories. She also discussed what kindness can look like on campus and in the broader community, and offered examples such as giving compliments and holding doors open for others.
This year, Nicolosi also shared a short clip from a school in Ohio that placed a microphone in a main hallway of the school with a sign that said, “Tell us something good that happened today.” In the video, many students stopped to respond with examples of kindness that they had received that day. Nicolosi then asked the students to write a note to someone who has spread kindness to them. She made sure each gratitude letter reached its intended recipient.
“Last year, a yoga student wrote a letter to her mom; I took a picture of it and emailed it to her mom. Mom was so thrilled!” Nicolosi said.
Nicolosi has carried on this tradition for three years. “This idea of being a ripple effect and spreading kindness wherever we go is definitely a tenant of the yoga practice. So it easily fits in with our class,” Nicolosi said.
Last year, Nicolosi also learned about kindness rocks (rocks painted with inspirational messages and left in public spaces) and was inspired to incorporate the idea into her own class. It was too late to purchase the rocks then, so she made a mental note to purchase them for this year’s World Kindness Day. Students decorated the rocks with positive messages and images, and the finished pieces are hidden around school.
Sophomore Emilia Stern is one of the many who participated in the World Kindness project by decorating rocks and sending out letters of appreciation. “I was really inspired by all of the kindness that was happening around me, so I was so excited to partake in spreading kindness,” Stern said.
“We hope these rocks will create a ripple effect for those on campus who see them. Many of the rocks have encouraging words. Others are just fun cartoon pictures, but nonetheless spread cheer and happiness,” Nicolosi said. The project not only allowed students to express their creativity, but also aimed to brighten the days of anyone who stumbled upon these rocks. “I had so much fun making these rocks and coming up with motivational and uplifting words and pictures,” Stern said.
Even with the routine now established, Nicolosi continues to make each year special. Nicolosi purchased rocks and pens for the activity and researched new ideas that she could share with her yoga students. “The kindness rocks were a big hit. The students really enjoyed decorating a rock. I am taking the rocks home to seal them so we can place them around campus,” Nicolosi said.
Even though Nicolosi continues to push kindness, she also believes that the students already practice it everyday at school. “They demonstrate this around our school — by supporting ALL athletes on campus including at our Unified Sports games, writing notes to teachers when Wellness has their table out at lunch, encouraging their table mates to clean up their trash so Mr. Fowley and Mr. Woo can focus on other tasks,” Nicolosi said.
Through the yoga class’s effort, they aim to foster a culture of positivity that can ripple far beyond the walls of their classroom. “It is amazing to realize that my words can brighten someone’s day. I loved being able to spread positivity and kindness throughout the school. You never know what someone else is going through, and a kind word can truly make a difference in their life,” Stern said.
Kindness comes in many forms, and even a small gesture can brighten someone’s day. As Nicolosi looks ahead, she’s already planning new ideas for next year and hopes to involve even more members of the Miramonte community in the World Kindness project. “Kindness may start small, but its impact can last a lifetime,” Stern said.
