Oak Knoll Third Graders Launch "12 Days of Kindness" Campaign

The following was provided by Oak Knoll:

Students in third grade religion classes kicked-off their inaugural “12 Days of Kindness” campaign at the Lower School’s Friday Assembly on December 6.

Each month Patti Cepparulo, drama and grades 3-4 religion teacher, sings a new song with her third and fourth grade religion classes. While searching for songs online one day, she came across a video in which a high school tries to spread the act of kindness and inclusion throughout their school. At the end of the video it says, “Kindness is contagious. Catch it and pass it on.”

“I showed the video to my third graders and they decided to make a video as well that would promote kindness,” Cepparulo said. “They wanted to ‘pass it on.’”

And so the “12 Days of Kindness” was born.

“It's a way for all people, young and old, to think of ways to give instead of get during December," Cepparulo said.

December 8-19 will be The 12 Days of Kindness, with a specific act of giving kindness assigned each day.

“This really started with God because He created the world and wanted people to not get mad at each other so he wanted peace and happiness,” said third grader Thomas Reakes of Short Hills.

Reakes and his classmates also hope that through this campaign they can serve as role models to not just be kind to others for these 12 days, but to be kind to one another every day.

“The students remembered the words of Oak Knoll’s foundress Cornelia Connelly “Actions, Not Words,” Cepparulo said.  “It is our hope to spread kindness throughout the Lower School, and for others to see our campaign and do as we did…pass it on!”

If you would like to participate in the “12 Days of Kindness" the schedule is as follows:

December 8: God Day: Talk to God today!
December 9: New Friend Day: Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know today!
December 10: Kind Words Day: Say something kind to someone today!
December 11: Hug-A-Day: Hug someone you like today! 
December 12: Help Day: Find someone to help today! 
December 13: Card Day: Make someone a special card today.
December 14: Visitation Day: Visit a friend or neighbor today. 
December 15: God Day: Talk to God today! 
December 16: Pay Day: Pay someone a compliment today! 
December 17: Note Day: Write someone a kind note today and hide it so they will find it when you are not there! 
December 18: Inclusion Day: Include others in your play time at recess today. 
December 19: Smile Day: Smile all day!

“Being kind is so simple and it makes everyone happy so why wouldn’t you do it?” another student said.

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is an independent Catholic school enrolling boys and girls in kindergarten through grade six; and young women only in grades seven through 12.  For more information about Oak Knoll, please visitwww.oakknoll.org or call 908-522-8109.