Kindness Rhythm Project
The Kindness Rhythm Project was designed to foster a culture of kindness, leadership, and community engagement through rhythm and movement. Launched at Dr. Brass on World Kindness Day, the initiative culminated in a school-wide assembly on Pink Shirt Day (February 26th). Students from the Performing Arts Academy led the school in learning a rhythm to Zak Abel’s song “Be Kind,” engaging classmates, staff, and community partners in a collaborative effort to promote kindness and bullying awareness. A video showcasing these efforts was produced and celebrated with the wider Yorkton community.
The primary goals of the project were to promote kindness awareness by highlighting the impact of kindness on mental health and wellbeing, encouraging leadership and teamwork by empowering students to lead their peers and community-based organizations as allies in promoting kindness, and enhancing bully prevention by supporting Dr. Brass’s school-wide bullying prevention process, which included a Red Cross presentation, a universal bullying definition, and an anonymous reporting system.
The project involved purchasing materials and coordinating the design and printing of custom pink shirts for students and staff to promote unity and kindness. Lesson plans were developed to incorporate rhythm and movement with discussions on bullying prevention and positive online interactions. The Performing Arts Academy taught students the rhythm to “Be Kind,” and the entire school participated in rehearsals and discussions about kindness, respect, and mental health. The academy also traveled to community organizations to share the message of kindness. A culminating assembly was held on Pink Shirt Day, and a video was produced to showcase the initiative’s impact.
The project at Dr. Brass involved the entire student body and staff, increasing awareness of bullying, mental health, and kindness through rhythm and movement. The Performing Arts Academy led the initiative, fostering leadership and collaboration. Community organizations participated, enhancing community relationships. The project’s message promotes sustainability and continues to influence school culture and anti-bullying efforts, with T-shirts serving as reminders.
The Kindness Rhythm Project successfully met its objectives by integrating dance, rhythm, and community engagement to promote kindness. “The SaskTel Be Kind Online Grant made it possible for students to take part in a meaningful, school-wide initiative that reinforced leadership, collaboration, and the importance of standing up against bullying,” Tammy Kostersky.