Kindness Campaign Teaches Empathy
New Initiative at Premm Learning Center
Kindness Kings, an initiative led by Teacher Kate Lotz within her classroom at the Premm Learning Center, embodies an impactful approach to education by integrating community service into her curriculum. Establishing a monthly community service project, she encourages her students to actively engage in acts of kindness and empathy toward others.
In October, the Kindness Kings, supported by Premm Occupational Therapy, embarked on a project to create dog toys for a dog rescue operation in Thailand overseen by Niall Harbison. This project displayed compassion toward animals and highlighted the global reach of their efforts. When Niall Harbison visited New York City, Ms. Lotz took the opportunity to deliver the donations directly to him, providing her students with a tangible understanding of the impact of their actions.
Moving into November, the Kindness Kings continued their charitable work by commemorating Veterans’ Day. Collaborating once more with Occupational Therapy, as well as PLC Speech Therapy, they created and sold buttons, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting Operation Song. Operation Song empowers veterans, active-duty military members, and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. This initiative not only honored the sacrifices of veterans but also demonstrated the students' commitment to giving back to those who have served their country.
During December, the Kindness Kings are spreading joy and kindness throughout the school by asking every student to make a holiday card for the patients at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. This ties into the schoolwide theme for the month, 'The Gift of Giving.'
Through these community service projects, Teacher Kate Lotz is instilling in her students the values of empathy, generosity, and social responsibility. By actively involving her students in such meaningful activities, she not only broadens their understanding of the world but also equips them with essential life skills such as teamwork and compassion. This holistic approach to education not only enriches the classroom experience but also nurtures future generations to become compassionate and proactive members of society.