Be Kind Project offers 'thank you' to Oklahoma teachers

Gifts were delivered last week to teachers at the 30 Oklahoma schools included in the project. About 1,344 Oklahoma teachers received tokens of appreciation such as sport watches with the phrase “Be Kind” to remind them that “Every minute counts.”

The teachers also received Classroom Kindness Kits with materials for the teachers to use to promote kindness. The kits also include entry information for the project's annual national creative essay contest, which launches Monday.

The essay contest is called “How a Minute of Kindness Can Change a Day.” Students in grades kindergarten through 8 can submit original essays describing how kindness impacts their lives in the classroom, at home, with friends and in the community.

The Be Kind People Program is not an anti-bullying campaign, Meyer said, but she thinks that if kids followed the project's “Be Kind Pledge,” instances of bullying would be drastically reduced.

“We know that we help to offset negative behavior issues in schools,” Meyer said. “The minute that happens, kids treat each other with more consideration, encouragement, respect, honesty, support. We know that the minute the classroom changes, the teachers' jobs become easier.”

For more information about The Be Kind People Project or the essay contest, go online to www.thebekindpeopleproject.org.