The school day began like normal. After the bell rang at 8 a.m., students began to trickle into Walden Lake Elementary School in time to watch the morning announcements on TV. Two student anchors read what’s for lunch and joked about the weather. But, on that morning, there was a special announcement.
Two students received awards and were recognized for their good deeds in front of the whole school. Luke Carvalho bestowed a certificate, $25 gift card and a Walden Lake backpack and magnet to students DonnaRae Stitzel and Yahir Angeles, who wore proud smiles.
Carvalho, a financial adviser and Walden Lake parent, started the “Random Acts of Kindness” program at Walden Lake. Every nine weeks, teachers submit names of students who have demonstrated an act of kindness, whether it be helping a student with their homework or cleaning up the playground. Then, guidance counselor Bea Hilbrands draws two names, one from a kindergarten to second grade group and another from a third grade through fifth grade group.
“Bullying is such a big thing now days,” Carvalho says. “So, it’s important to emphasize kindness and have them get rewarded.”
Carvalho started the program three years ago. He got the idea from friends Scott and Cathy Kudlinkski, who started a similar program at Bailey Elementary.
“As soon as I heard about it I thought it was a great idea,” Carvalho says. “I said, ‘Mind if I steal it?’”
Hilbrands contacts parents to let them know their child has won the award. She gives them a choice whether to tell the child or let it be a surprise on the morning show. The students have reacted in a variety of ways — from bashfulness to ecstatic chattering and even some tears.
But, almost always, especially with the younger group, the student receives a round of applause from their classmates when they return to their homeroom. Hilbrands says the kids feel famous when they’re on the morning show.
“It’s awesome to promote kindness around the culture of the school,” Hilbrands says. “It also fits in with our character words.”
Each month, the school adopts a new character word to teach the students. In January, it was knowledge. Carvalho related it to the “Random Acts of Kindness.”
“The knowledge to know what to do and if it’s right or wrong,” Carvalho said.
DonnaRae and Yahir demonstrated knowledge in their good deeds.
DonnaRae noticed a student did not have a group to work with, and she asked the student if she wanted to join her group.
Yahir also took notice of another student. His classmate was about to cry, so he went over to console him. Several other students noticed Yahir’s good deed and joined in to help. His teacher told Hilbrands it was one of the most beautiful things she has seen.
Carvalho, whose daughter, Norah, attends Walden Lake, enjoys giving the rewards to the students in person. He plans to do it until his daughter graduates. If he can’t find a replacement, he might continue after that.
“It’s fun,” Carvalho says. “It’s one of those things where I wanted to be involved. Kids who do nice things now will be the ones running the country.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.