The Great Kindness Challenge Soars to New Heights

Superintendent Suzette Lovely, with Jefferson Elementary Principal Chad Lund and Hope Principal Richard Tubbs, jumped out of an airplane, skydiving onto the Oceanside Airport field to kick off the 2016 Great Kindness Challenge. Hundreds of elementary school students assembled, the Carlsbad High School Lancer Dancers and the drumline performed, and the crowd made a lot of noise.

This exciting event was the national kick off for the 2016 Great Kindness Challenge Week, which runs from January 25 through 29.

The Great Kindness Challenge, an activity of Kids for Peace, began in 2012 at three Carlsbad schools, and quickly spread nationwide. Millions of students participated in this inspiring week dedicated to creating a culture of kindness on campus. It is a week where students do as many kind acts as possible, choosing from a 50-item checklist. This positive and powerful week mobilizes students to create school climates that are respectful, compassionate and kind. It is a bully-prevention program, but so much more. During Kindness Week Carlsbad Unified student fill their schools with smiles and surprises, and decorate with Kindness Matters messages.

Kids for Peace was founded by CUSD mom Jill McManigal, her children Hana and Bodhi Craft, and Danielle Gram in Carlsbad in 2006. Through their impressive efforts there are currently 350 chapters in 118 countries on 6 continents. The mission of Kids for Peace is to create peace through youth leadership, community service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness.