Imagine you are rushing to your locker to put your math binder and science folder away and to pick up your Spanish folder. You have two minutes to get all the way downstairs and in your seat, but wait. Just before you get to your locker, you notice that it is more shiny and silver than usual. Oh no, you’ve been backlocked! You ask a teacher to unlock and even though they try to be speedy, you’ll never make it to class on time. Now all the kids around you snicker at you and your eyes begin to tear up.
This example can be something you’ve experienced or something you’ve caused for others, but it’s not something to be proud of. Wredling Middle School is an amazing place where students have countless opportunities to belong and thrive, but those opportunities can disappear if we forget the true meaning of the Guidelines for Success. You might try to tell yourself that referrals or lunch detentions don’t matter, but deep down, you know they never lead to anything positive.
Before you assume that the kids who act this way are “bad,” take a moment to consider why they might be doing these things. Try to see it from their perspective—there could be something happening in their lives that you don’t know about.
Something for everyone to remember is the 10 steps to kindness:
1.) Lend a smile-they may be little but they are worth a lot.
2.) Give a compliment-even just saying it’s nice to see someone is helping.
3.) Invite someone in-sitting with someone new at lunch is spreading the kindness.
4.) Send a card-make a beautiful handmade card for someone you appreciate(or maybe someone you barely know!) and this could be a thank-you note.
5.) Cheer someone on-being someone’s cheerleader can brighten their day.
6.) Tell a joke-bring a smile to someone’s face with a funny joke.
7.) Give someone a high-five-letting someone know that you are there for them is very important.
8.) Say please and thank you-this is not only kind but polite.
9.) Hold the door open for someone-you should do this for everyone, especially people you don’t know or adults.
10.) Be yourself- everyone here at Wredling is a kind, wonderful person, just remember who you really are/who you want to be and be that person.
I hope this advice inspires you to be the best version of yourself. Backtalking and smack-talking won’t solve any problems… and only leads to trouble. So spread the word: choose kindness!
