Special week at WGS features art, music, video
By Penny Gruetzmacher
Correspondent
Walworth Grade School kicked off its annual Kindness Week with an assembly led by a couple of staff members and the police chief. But it was just the beginning of what the school had in store for a week’s worth of celebrating and encouraging kindness.
Jenn Ott-Wilson, the school Guidance Counselor kicked off the March 2 program by introducing Caitlyn Dowden, the TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) and Walworth Police Chief Ryan Milligan.
Ott-Wilson talked about the display by the school library and thanked the art teachers – Rachel Roemer, and Ted Beauchaine – and students for their talented work. District Administrator/Principal Phill Klamm, was also given a shout-out for the work he does each year for Kindness Week.
The middle school Jazz Band, 5th-6th grade and 7th-8th grade show choirs were among the groups that took turns on stage providing music for the assembly.
A student skit written, directed and produced by eighth grade student, Mia Nor was performed. It featured characters from Toy Story in a kindness story.
Those gathered were treated to a school video set to kindness-themed music that showed students and staff as the “i” in kindness.
Bringing the program to a close was the middle school Jazz Band performing while Westley Wildcat – the Walworth Grade School Mascot – waved and greeted the audience as they filed out of the auditorium.
The assembly was only the beginning of Kindness Week activities at the school. Other things that took place included:
- WGS’s Toy Story, “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” – an interactive display, located near the school library;
- Special morning announcements about kindness;
- “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” t-shirt program for students and staff;
- Kindness Dress Up Days – Be Friendly to Everyone by wearing “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” t-shirt or something blue; Stay Active and Be Kind by dressing in exercise or sports clothing; Accept your Friends for who they are by wearing mismatched clothes/crazy hair; Unite against Bullying by dressing up as a rainbow with grades teaming up to wear blue, purple, green, orange and red; Friendships feel warm and fuzzy by dressing in appropriate pajamas;
- Random Acts of Kindness Club led classroom activities by providing a “Kindness/Read Across America” activity for students through second grade;
- Forky Craft Project featured students through fifth grade making their own “Forky”;
On March 6, the final day in Kindness Week, there was an all school event to watch the movie Toy Story 4. Teachers took the time to talk with students about kindness, acceptance and friendship messages shared in the movie.
Popcorn was provided at the movie and as is the case with all movies, parents had the opportunity to opt their children out of the showing.
